Chapter XVIII: Excuses for Not Attending Mass

I WILL tell you another reason why many do not go to Mass regularly, as they ought. They have no seat in the church, and of course they do not feel at home there. If they had a place to go to, they would not feel ashamed, as they do now, to be seen kneeling in the aisles, or be afraid of being turned out because they are taking up a seat that another has paid for, and which they fear they must give up as soon as he makes his appearance.

It is true there is no class of Catholics better, on the whole, in this respect, than girls who work. They generally do have a home in the church, and it is a real pleasure to see them there, with so much devotion, and evidently so delighted to be near our Blessed Lord and His Holy Mother.

But some, and perhaps a good many, have no seat, and it is for this reason that they often, and very often too, neglect their duty. Now and then conscience speaks loudly to them, and forces them to go to Mass. And then what will you see? A young woman kneeling in the aisle, dressed perhaps in- a lilac silk, with a pink satin bonnet, and an ostrich feather sticking out at the top of it. What a sight! She is so poor she cannot afford to pay a small sum for a seat in the house of God, and why not? Every cent she can get is laid out in finery to put on her back, and, to tell the truth, she would look much better without it.

This reminds me of an excuse that is often made: “I do not attend Mass, for my clothes are not suitable.” I imagine very few girls, who have work, will be inclined to say any such thing, and if they do, I hardly think they can be saying the strict truth.

Decent clothes may be necessary, but not fine ones. The church is the last place to go to, to show off. Many say their clothes are not good enough, when what they have on is quite as good as pious and virtuous ladies are content to wear.

Others say: “I did not go to Mass because I had no shoes to wear.” And why not? Because they have neglected to provide them. So they go week after week, neglecting their duty out of sheer laziness and inattention.

If tempted to vanity on the score of clothing, remember the Blessed Virgin. The thought of her will put all such proud and foolish notions out of your head.

Another says she has missed Mass because something happened, just as she was getting ready to go, that put her out of temper, and she felt so confused and “all of a tremble” that she just stayed at home. “What use would it be to go in such a state of mind?” she says. All the use in the world. What! because one sin is committed, shall we give ourselves headlong to commit many others? That is indeed a poor way to get along. No such reason excuses you from your obligation.

The right thing for you to say is: “I am bound to attend Mass; whether I was right or wrong, whether I am cross or happy, I will go.” It is better to go even with angry feelings, and avoid the sin of losing Mass, than to stay away.

Depend upon it, if you act on this principle, before you reach the church your resentment will begin to disappear. A few words of prayer: “God, help me”; “Jesus, teach me”; “My Mother Mary, pray for me,” will set everything right again; and the very spirit of the humble Jesus, the Lamb of God, will fill you with consolation.

In all our troubles, afflictions, trials, risings of passion or temptations, the surest help is to have recourse to God in the church, and especially in time of Holy Mass. Bend your whole heart to the performance of this duty.

This command to assist at Mass must not be misunderstood. It is different from the Commandments that forbid blasphemy, impurity, dishonesty, and such like things. These are evil in themselves, and can never be lawful. But the obligation to hear Mass may be taken away by a good and sufficient reason, as I have said already.

In many places and situations it will not be possible to go every Sunday. In the country where there is no church it may happen that we cannot go except rarely. When you do your best, and would gladly go always if you could, God will accept the will for the deed.

Oftentimes the hermits, who served God in the desert, could not hear Mass for a long time; still they grew dearer to God and holier every day. St. Mary of Egypt for many a long year had to forego the happiness of hearing Mass, yet she became a wonderful saint, filled with the spirit of God.

In cases where you cannot attend Mass, endeavor to join yourself, by your prayers, to those who do. Keep your soul quiet and recollected more that day than any other. Keep your room, if you can, a part of the day, read something pious, and I assure you God will make up to you all you would have gained by hearing the Mass.

But, if you have the chance, attend Vespers. Our Lord is present in the Blessed Sacrament; you can at that time adore Him, and pour out your soul before Him. Although it is not so binding a duty as to hear Mass, it is a great help to the soul to attend to it. Every girl who is anxious to give her heart to God, will go to Vespers as well as Mass if she has the opportunity. It is a solemn service of the Church, and a great blessing attends its observance. Ah! we need as much grace as we can get to keep our hearts fixed on God. Is it not better to be in his house than to be gadding about, and losing in idle talk the good influences which the day is expected to leave behind it?

Morning and evening, let us not begrudge to give to God our praise and thanksgiving; then we shall be able with more satisfied minds to enjoy innocent conversation and recreation, a walk, or a visit to friends or relations, at other times of the day.