This is an honest question that many Catholics have been asking themselves over the last few weeks. And while the answer to this question is not an easy one, it is one that ought to be seriously discerned on a regular basis. Of course, if you are ‘at risk’, elderly, in poor health or have any conditions that would prevent you from entering into a larger gathering of any sort, the answer seems to be easy. However, it was recently wonderfully said in a release from the Archdiocese of Detroit, “Catholics who engage in other activities which would present a similar or greater risk of contamination (eating out at restaurants, traveling, non-essential shopping, widening one’s circle of contacts, etc.) should begin to return to Sunday Mass as they are able,” and that “while one does not commit a mortal sin by absenting one’s self during these days due to the dispensation, one would be deprived of the immeasurable spiritual graces Christ desires for his faithful when they actively participate in the Mass.” That is to say, if you are able to attend Sunday mass, if you are engaging in other activities that would pose the same risk as you would face by participating in Sunday Liturgy, you ought to be seriously discerning this on a daily basis.
Further, if you do discern that you cannot attend Sunday Liturgy just yet, it is imperative that you still keep Holy the Lord’s Day by setting aside extended time for prayer and rest. Consider subscribing to Magnificat at www.magnificat.com to help you in this, or simply pray the readings of the day found at www.usccb.org.
May God bless you and your continued discernment regarding participation Sunday mass.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart ... I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.