Do I need to go to Sunday Mass while I am on vacation?

By RH

      The First Commandment states: “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no gods before Me.” You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deut 6:5) You shall worship the Lord your God. (Mt 4:10)

      All of these passages give us reason to attend Mass on Sunday. Do you believe in God? Do you believe He should be the most important One in your life? If so, then why wouldn’t you want to worship Him publicly and privately?

      The Third Commandment states: “Keep holy the Sabbath Day.” God gave us an example - He created everything in six days and rested on the seventh day.

      The Catechism of the Catholic Church #2181 says: “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.” 

      Going to the cottage, fishing at the lake, or being in a different state is not an excuse for not seeking out a place to go to Sunday Mass. The trip to town to go to church can be part of the vacation - an opportunity to see where others live, to shop, or to go out to eat.