Article II. On Causes Excusing from Mass

I Say. Any moderately grave cause excuses from hearing Mass, or one which involves a notable and at least moderate inconvenience or damage in the goods of the soul or body, one's own or the neighbor's. This is clear from the common doctrine of theologians, and from the custom of the faithful, which is the best interpreter of laws. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 324.

You Will Resolve. 1st. The sick, the infirm, convalescents whom going outdoors harms are excused, even if this harm should appear only probable. Likewise those who must guard the sick. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 325.

2nd. Those who guard the house, or who must prepare food, or perform similar necessary things, are excused. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 326.

3rd. Mothers and nurses who have no one to whom they may leave little children, nor can they bring them to church, are excused. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, ibid.

4th. Often those are excused who are distant far from the church, so that they cannot approach it without great difficulty, especially in winter time.

5th. Servants are excused if they cannot omit their service without grave detriment to the master, or if they are prohibited by him, and cannot easily find another master. Nevertheless they ought diligently to take care to remove impediments, if they can. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 327. - Reuter, n. 288.

6th. Those are excused who, if they heard Mass, would lose the occasion of notable gain. Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 332. - Elbel, n. 368.

7th. Those are excused who would suffer notable embarrassment if they went to church; for embarrassment, especially for women, is regarded as a greater inconvenience than cold or a long journey on foot. Wherefore women pregnant from a delict can be excused, or those who do not have decent clothing suitable to their proper state, or when their matrimonial banns must be made. Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 330. - Kenrick, tract. 4, part 2, nn. 20 and 21.

Question. What distance excuses from Mass?

Response. It cannot be assigned absolutely, but is to be determined from the circumstances of persons, places, and times. - According to many, regularly the distance of three miles excuses, or a journey on foot of one hour, and even something less if it were raining or snowing. But this distance among us could often seem small, especially in cities, where carriages are at hand, and also in the country, where men often and very easily use horses. Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 329; and Hom. Ap., n. 41. - Kenrick, tract. 4, part 2, n. 19.