Mass at the beach? - Page 3

superamazingman · #31 May 6, '12, 5:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZxM

[Image of Pope Celebrating Mass in NY Baseball stadium]

You just proved my point. In that case, there was no church available to hold the crowd, so out of nessicity, it was celebrated there. But in the case of the original poster, it sounds like the group is not 30,000 people, so there would not be a need to offer Mass at the beach. It sounds like it's being done because they think it's hip to celebrate Mass at the beach, not because there's a genuine need.

If there is a genuine need (no parish within 50 miles or something), that would be different, but the OP did not mention that, so it's safe to assume that there is probably a parish within a reasonable distance...but we really need apulido4 to chime in and fill in details to resolve this completely.

domandcarols · #32 May 6, '12, 5:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulinVA

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

lol xD

superamazingman · #33 May 6, '12, 6:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulinVA

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

apulido4 · #34 May 6, '12, 9:26 pm

Sorry, I was away for a while.
Thanks for all the responses!

I'm not exactly sure where the retreat will take place, but i"m pretty sure there is a Catholic Church nearby. I just know it will be a beach in the LA area.

I understand there can be exceptions like the ones mentioned above, but we can't compare this gathering with 20-30 people at the beach, with a battlefield or a hiding place from persecution.

So the only case where it would be acceptable is when there really is no other reasonable choice, right?

Cathryn · #35 May 6, '12, 9:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by apulido4

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!

In a couple of months it is going to be pretty hot most likely. Is this a Beach Party/ Mass?
I imagine there will be bathing suits. I hate to even think what the priest will be wearing. I would pass on the whole thing. Yes, it is very 70's.

LegoGE1947 · #36 May 7, '12, 5:57 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cathryn

In a couple of months it is going to be pretty hot most likely. Is this a Beach Party/ Mass?
I imagine there will be bathing suits. I hate to even think what the priest will be wearing. I would pass on the whole thing. Yes, it is very 70's.

The fact that it will occur in the Los Angeles area pretty much answers it. (I've heard California referred to as "The Land of Fruits and Nuts!")

Wonder if they will have the Beach Boys for the choir! "We'll have fun, fun, fun till Daddy takes the T-Bird away!"

apulido4 · #37 May 7, '12, 9:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegoGE1947

The fact that it will occur in the Los Angeles area pretty much answers it. (I've heard California referred to as "The Land of Fruits and Nuts!")

Wonder if they will have the Beach Boys for the choir! "We'll have fun, fun, fun till Daddy takes the T-Bird away!"

Yeah, and this particular priest is very liberal in some aspects, that's why I'm trying to find out weather this is allowed or not.

I'm don't have all the details yet, so I'm not sure of the exact location, or if it will be a retreat, or more like a 'get-together" with a mass.

mikelionheart · #38 May 7, '12, 9:21 am

As the other people have said there is nothing wrong with this mass.

Catholicism was illegal in England for over 200 years and masses were held anywhere they could be.

SalesianSDB · #39 May 7, '12, 9:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by po18guy

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

I could have sworn I've seen a picture of John Paul II as a young priest giving Mass outside using a canoe as an altar. I haven't been able to find it online, so I'm starting to think I've only seen it in a movie about his life.

**GEddie** · #40 May 7, '12, 9:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalesianSDB

I could have sworn I've seen a picture of John Paul II as a young priest giving Mass outside using a canoe as an altar. I haven't been able to find it online, so I'm starting to think I've only seen it in a movie about his life.

I've also seen that film.

I still think the plan is ok, if it is just a group of friends one of whom is a priest and not a "public event."

ICXC NIKA

superamazingman · #41 May 7, '12, 10:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelionheart

As the other people have said there is nothing wrong with this mass.

Catholicism was illegal in England for over 200 years and masses were held anywhere they could be.

Really? We've discussed this already. Catholicism isn't illegal, so they should go to a church.

Irishgal49 · #42 May 7, '12, 10:18 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegoGE1947

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

I think some of the examples are not the same. Of course it's OK on a battlefield, of course it's OK when the government won't let Catholics worship in public. She's asking if it's licit on a beach when it's NOT being held there for a special reason (war, oppression, etc). I'm not sure about this and I live in Michigan--land of a million lakes here. I've never seen any of our priests doing that. They have church picnics but never Mass. Not sure --maybe it's the Bishop's call on that one.

I don't think if the priest "feels like getting some sun" that Mass is licit but I think THAT'S the question... not all these examples of Mass that are the "special circumstances" she's talking about. I doubt anyone will tell a soldier he can't have Mass on a battlefield if that's the only way he can attend. This is NOT that sort of example at all. This is a church "fun day" and may not meet the criteria.

Lorrie

DlandFan06 · #43 May 7, '12, 10:48 am

There's mass at my college every week for the students. Is this wrong? I don't think so because everyone is able to attend.

TrueLight · #44 May 7, '12, 11:54 am

I am really flabbergasted at how a number of posters don't see the difference between having a mass in times of persecution or war and having mass at a beach because you can.

In times of war/persecution, I'm sure people would receive the blood from a plastic cup if need be. Does that mean we should receive the blood that way just to "mix it up"?

Cathryn · #45 May 7, '12, 12:52 pm

Redemptionis Sacramentum regarding where Mass may be celebrated:

1. The Place for the Celebration of Holy Mass
[108.] "The celebration of the Eucharist is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise. In this case the celebration must be in a decent place".197 The diocesan Bishop shall be the judge for his diocese concerning this necessity, on a case-by-case basis.

The Church in it's wisdom has given the authority to determine this to the Bishop of the diocese on a case by case basis.

I would think this would not be approved by the local bishop because of the lack of necessity and the difficulty to follow the rubrics which would be required.

I am surprised by how many Catholics believe this is just fine for a priest to do. I highly doubt this priest has run his beach party/Mass by his Bishop. There is no necessity.