PrayTheRosary Apostolate

Due to unemployment and not having a car, I am unable to attend mass; closest church is 20 mins by car, in another town.I thought on Sundays I could at least attend a TV Mass offered by the archdiocese of Toronto. I know I am not recieving communion physically, but is there not a spiritual form approved by the church? Or am I in big trouble? And can I not do confession over the net also due to travel restrictions? What happens to peopl who are even farther away than me? Are they doomed? There has to be something that covers this; maybe visit by priest? But again, what are the distance limitations?

Thanks for some great questions!

If you are able to fulfill your Sunday Duty, that is, attending Holy Mass in person, watching a televised Mass or listening to one on the radio does not fulfill your obligation.

If you are not able to fulfill your Sunday Duty, then you are dispensed from your Sunday Duty. No sin is committed when one has a valid reason for mssing Mass.

Watching or listening to the Mass has no bearing whatever on whether or not one has fulfilled their Sunday obligation to attend Mass in person. The televised Mass is offered as a "service" or "consolation" for the ill and home-bound and they may gain some spiritual benefit from it...keeping the day holy, offering up their minds and hearts in prayer, reading along with the Scriptures...all these gain spiritual benefit to the soul properly disposed to receive grace....whether they are watching a televised Mass or not.

One may make a "Spiritual Communion" at any time, with or without the "help" of a recorded Mass, and this act of faith is enriched with a partial indulgence. The Church requires of you an ardent desire, lively faith, and fervent charity when making a Spiritual Communion.

With a contrite and a pure and loving heart say:

My Jesus, I believe that Thou are present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things and I desire to possess Thee within my soul. Since I cannot receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

(Pause)

As though Thou were already there, I embrace Thee and unite myself wholly to Thee; permit me not that I should ever be separated from Thee.

One may not receive the Sacrament of Penance/ Reconcilliation by phone, over the internet, or by any other means than in person before a priest. Contact your pastor to find out about a home visit, or sick call. You might post a message in your parish bulletin that you are in need of a ride, or ask to have a ride arranged for you. And then trust in the Lord that a means for you to attend Mass and receive the Sacraments will be provided for you, as God Wills.

Hope that helps! I will surely pray for you that a speedy solution is provided for you.

God bless you,

-Mary