Mass at the beach?

apulido4 · #1 May 5, '12, 1:51 pm

Hello,

A monthly youth group at my parish is organizing a "get-together" at the beach in a couple of months.
They are planning to have a bonfire, some activities, etc... and I just found out that our Priest will be there as well, and he will celebrate Mass at the beach.

I absolutely don't feel comfortable with this, but I'm not sure if it is actually wrong, or just my personal opinion.
I tried to get some info here, and all I found is that it might be okay if it's a "special occasion", but I still can't see how this would be considered a "special occasion".
They invited me, and a couple of my friends are planning to go, but I'm not sure if it's even allowed in the first place.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Big Ro · #2 May 5, '12, 2:55 pm

Who made the beach?

cessnawag · #3 May 5, '12, 3:01 pm

Early church mass was held in basements and in the woods etc to hide from romans. As long as the blessed sacrament is there and other christians it is officially mass. It might be nice to be outside for mass. Give it a chance

**GEddie** · #4 May 5, '12, 3:07 pm

There is nothing wrong with this.

Our LORD broke bread with His friends at the lakeshore, after all, post-Resurrection.

ICXC NIKA

Aeden · #5 May 5, '12, 3:36 pm

In Ireland during British Occupation, people had masses in living rooms, basements, in mountains, caves and valleys. During the middle ages, and even today probably, priests would hold mass before a battle so the soldiers could go into battle with Christ. The location doesn't really matter when you get right down to it.

Bezant · #6 May 5, '12, 3:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Ro

Who made the beach?

A few years ago I attended a mass like this. It was wonderful.

Catholic1954 · #7 May 5, '12, 4:19 pm

Go. It will be a great public witness to your faith.

LegoGE1947 · #8 May 5, '12, 4:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catholic1954

Go. It will be a great public witness to your faith.

I am on the mailing list of The Archdiocese for the Military Services and their literature shows soldiers in Afganastan holding Mass outside on the battlefield. http://www.milarch.org/.../k.3DFD/Ho...e_Military.htm

Archdiocese for the Military Services provides the Catholic Church's pastoral ministries and spiritual services to the United States Armed Forces

**po18guy** · #9 May 5, '12, 4:36 pm

Imprisoned Viet Namese and Chinese Priests and Bishops celebrate the mass in filthy prison cells.

John Paul II often hiked in the mountains. He may very well have celebrated atop a mountain in Poland.

LegoGE1947 · #10 May 5, '12, 4:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by po18guy

Imprisoned Viet Namese and Chinese Priests and Bishops celebrate the mass in filthy prison cells.

John Paul II often hiked in the mountains. He may very well have celebrated atop a mountain in Poland.

There were priests that were imprisoned in World War 2, such as Maxmillian Kolbe, who would have celebrated mass in quite filthy conditions as well.

**po18guy** · #11 May 5, '12, 4:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegoGE1947

There were priests that were imprisoned in World War 2, such as Maxmillian Kolbe, who would have celebrated mass in quite filthy conditions as well.

As to the OP, if it is done in the vein of a spiritual retreat, there should be absolutely no problem with it. If it is not, then time exists to maybe massage it in that direction, with a speaker, or some catechesis, etc. What it appears to be at this point, is an opportunity.

LegoGE1947 · #12 May 5, '12, 5:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by po18guy

As to the OP, if it is done in the vein of a spiritual retreat, there should be absolutely no problem with it. If it is not, then time exists to maybe massage it in that direction, with a speaker, or some catechesis, etc. What it appears to be at this point, is an opportunity.

In California, there is a mega-church, founded by Rev Chuck Smith, that came about by means of Pastor Smith reaching out to surfers and beatniks on LA beaches in the 1960s or 70s. (Calvary Chapel)

**po18guy** · #13 May 5, '12, 5:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegoGE1947

In California, there is a mega-church, founded by Rev Chuck Smith, that came about by means of Pastor Smith reaching out to surfers and beatniks on LA beaches in the 1960s or 70s. (Calvary Chapel)

Since they are known to be "rather" anti-Catholic, maybe this is a chance to gain back some ground.

PaulinVA · #14 May 5, '12, 5:31 pm

The seventies called. They want their "Mass at the Beach" idea back.

**GEddie** · #15 May 5, '12, 5:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aeden

In Ireland during British Occupation, people had masses in living rooms, basements, in mountains, caves and valleys. During the middle ages, and even today probably, priests would hold mass before a battle so the soldiers could go into battle with Christ. The location doesn't really matter when you get right down to it.

The conditions do not need to be anything like that severe. While on pilgrimage, I've been to mass in hotel lobbys, airports, a city park, a Roman ruin, on shipboard, and even in a parking lot.

It's HIS body that is the issue, and HIS body can be anywhere human bodies go to.

ICXC NIKA