I do shift work, I work night shift and work many weekends. I have trouble going to Mass due to my work schedule. I'm either having to work, sleeping for work, or exhausted from work.
If I watch a Mass on TV, is this as good, or at least good enough?
Please only Catholics answer, and only serious, thoughtful answers, please.
2007-07-22 12:59:13 · 18 answers · asked by . 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thankyou to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I didn't realize that taking the eucharist on a day other than Saturday evening/Sunday could be acceptable. Maybe it doesn't fit technically in keeping Sunday holy, but several suggested/implied that this would be an acceptable option. As a nurse, I believe the work I do is necessary to mankind (even on Sundays), and I don't believe that God would dissapprove of the bending of the rules. I actually enjoy attending Mass during the week. It has a quiet solemnity that I enjoy.
Thanks again!
2007-07-22 18:33:32 · update #1
No, unless you are sick. What you can do is go to mass when you are free. And make that day a Lord's Day and a day of rest. I think God will understand.
Peace and every blessings!
2007-07-22 13:19:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
God know the honesty of your heart. Watching the Mass on T.V. is not the same as attending Mass, because you cannot participate in the Eucharist. Maybe you can contact a Parish in your area and they might have a Eucharistic Minister deliver this Sacrament to you.
2007-07-22 13:07:55 · answer #2 · answered by Seeanna 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ideally you should fully participate in a Mass.
Watching Mass on television is a bare minimum to persons who cannot get to Mass through no fault of their own.
I suggest you look for a Mass at a time that you can attend. If you look around you can probably find many Masses from 4:00 p.m. Saturday evening to 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening.
With love in Christ.
2007-07-22 18:16:19 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try going during the week. I know my parish has an 8:30 Mass Monday thru Friday. I have had to stay at home on Sunday due to illness a couple times and watched on t.v. and its just not the same as being there
2007-07-22 13:06:55 · answer #4 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mass on TV is at least giving you the word but you are missing out on the joy of the Eucharist. i used to have to work 90 hours a week - including saturdays & sundays. i spoke to my pastor. as long as you are keeping the Sabbath holy and not missing mass "just becuase" - it's understandable. (our parish actually had a 5:3am mass on sunday's beucase of people in your situation.) i would recommend maybe a prayer service on tape while you're dirving home or to work and then attending a mass another day of the week - just so you can participate in the Eucharist.
2007-07-22 13:03:39 · answer #5 · answered by Marysia 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, i don't think so. For one basic reason, and that's that you cannot receive the HOLY EUCHARIST. Further there's the Biblical requirement that two or more must be gathered in JESUS' name and JESUS will be there among them. All that being so, it is clear that watching on television is not the same. But it does have benefit, as the readings, teachings, mindset of prayer, and blessings of GOD, and they offer a prayer which ask JESUS to come SPIRITually into the heart of a person in liue of actually eating and drinking . .. but it is better and more powerful a prayer, if possible to physically go to mass and take HOLY COMMUNION in the PRESENCE OF THE LORD OF HEAVEN AND OF Earth.
LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
Amen.
2007-07-22 13:35:10 · answer #6 · answered by jesusfreakstreet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not equal because you don't receive Eucharist.
But you're required to receive Eucharist once a year(at easter), but that's the bare mininum.
When I watch on tv(every sunday, my family's lazy), when communion comes a prayers goes across the screen at it says:
Lord jesus, I believe that you are really present in the most blessed sacrament. Though I cannot now recieve you sacramentally, please come spiritually into my body and nourish my soul with your blood poured out for all. I love you and i embrace myself wholly with you in faith, hope, and love. Amen
lost(dot)eu/21618
replace (dot) with .
2007-07-22 13:10:34 · answer #7 · answered by Quailman 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ok i am not a catholic any more but i was raised one. its not the same as actualy going to mass because you cant receive the body and blood of christ though a tv screen. you should trying going dureing the week. almost all chruches have a wednesday mass and alot of the ones in large cities have mass every day
2007-07-22 13:06:26 · answer #8 · answered by slo18 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi..
I'm Catholic..I watch Mass on TV..sometimes.. and I find it fulfilling, not the same as going to Church
though.
I know I should go to Church more often..When I do go..I feel better..
Have a great evening all!
2007-07-22 13:32:10 · answer #9 · answered by howdoilvthee 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
from what i know, Mass is televised for those who are sick and for those who really can't go to church for a valid reason to hear Mass and it's very much ok provided that that's the case. I think in your case (or in mine), we should strive to go to church beascue the main objective of hearing mass is taking a communion. but as it is, at least with TV Mass, you get to hear the gospel and the homily.
but did you know, that hearing the pope's mass on TV and receiving his papal blessing via TV is just as good? because....c'mon, it's d pope and chances are we won't get to see him personally or attend a Mass he gave...
2007-07-22 13:10:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋