Is it okay to miss Mass during a summer camp?

[thequeen]

Originally Posted by Tarpeian Rock

The OP's profile indicates that he/she rides their bicycle to Mass. It can be presumed that the poster is under the legal age to drive. It can also be presumed that summer camps, on average and by definition, are rural in nature and likely some distance from populated areas.Were a minor taken to a summer camp with obviously no independent way to get to Mass on their own, the question is clearly whether the Mass obligation remains. Also obviously, summer camps charged with the safety of children are not in the business of letting them leave camp on their own (per your comment about "not allowing you to leave"). Neither would they be staffed in such a way that a counselor could be spared to drive a camper(s) to the church(es) of their choice.

if i was a parent i wouldn't even allow my child to go to a summer camp where he could not go to Mass i would try to find a Catholic one.

[Hmgbrd]

Why not contact the Summer Camp in advance? There might be some other catholics at the camp with the same need. Perhaps the Summer Camp can provide a chaparone/driver to the nearest Catholic Parish for an hour on Sunday morning for the kids who have to attend Mass? Perhaps one of the camp counselors is Catholic? I am sure that this isn't the first time that this situation has come up.

[hwriggles4]

Originally Posted by underacloud

As others have suggested, please discuss this with your priest. No opinions expressed on this forum change the fact that you should have this discussion with your priest. He can help you understand whether this particular camp (or any other future events you have questions about) is worthy of receiving a dispensation from mass obligation, and if it is he can give you such a dispensation.

Ad Infinitum:

This may be a late post, but if you are going to Boy Scout Camp, most of the Boy Scout Camps that I attended the week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.

Since many Scouts do not arrive until early Sunday afternoon, it is possible to attend a Saturday evening Vigil Mass before you arrive at camp. You can find one in your local area, or if you are traveling, you can find one on MassTimes.org.

Ad Infinitum, you also might be able to attend an early Sunday morning Mass (like 7:00 a.m.) before you depart. One time I went to Scout camp my mom made me walk to the early Sunday morning Mass before our troop left.

Philmont Scout Ranch has some Catholic clergy on site during the summer, and they travel to the campsites at Philmont. Ask your Ranger when you arrive there. They also have Mass at base camp.

The other suggestions were good, and I would highly recommend that you do discuss this with your priest.

Enjoy your time at camp.

[Arizona Mike]

Most of the Boy Scout summer camps in the U.S. arrange to have both a non-denominational interfaith service and a Catholic service. At the one we went to this summer, a deacon from the local town parish came and held a (very well-attended) Mass and Communion service for the boys in an outdoor Catholic chapel. Except for the Army, I think that was the only time I've ever attended Communion outdoors. (It was quite lovely.) As there is a large LDS presence in Scouting, some of the camps have arranged to have a space for LDS services consecrated (I'm not exactly sure how that works, but it seems to be a requirement for LDS services), camps that don't have such a space usually allow the LDS troops to arrive on Monday instead of the usual Sunday arrival date.

Perhaps your folks could talk to the camp staff and see if a local parish would be interested in holding a Sunday Mass for the Catholics who attend. Hwriggles4 also had good suggestions on an early Sunday Mass or Saturday evening Vigil Mass.

[mary bates]

Originally Posted by underacloud

As others have suggested, please discuss this with your priest. No opinions expressed on this forum change the fact that you should have this discussion with your priest. He can help you understand whether this particular camp (or any other future events you have questions about) is worthy of receiving a dispensation from mass obligation, and if it is he can give you such a dispensation.

Can a priest give a dispensation from Mass? My understanding is that you are obliged under pain of Mortal sin to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. If however there is a reason which is beyond your control eg illness then you may miss Mass.

[jmcrae]

Originally Posted by mary bates

Can a priest give a dispensation from Mass?

Yes. They will do it for a serious reason, such as being in a country where going to Mass is illegal, for example, or an extended journey into the wilderness.

My understanding is that you are obliged under pain of Mortal sin to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. If however there is a reason which is beyond your control eg illness then you may miss Mass.

If you are too ill to attend Mass, or if someone under your care is too ill to attend Mass, the dispensation is automatic - you don't need to seek permission. But when it comes to traveling and the like, permission is required.