Images from our Glacier National Park trip a few years back
Overcoming challenges and staying committed to your faith while on the road
As a poorly catechized Catholic, I used to think that you got a free pass on skipping Mass when I was traveling. And although you are given some latitude to a point (if it’s not possible to attend Mass because you are on the top of a mountain, or in a Turkish prison (again), for example), you are still expected to make a good faith effort.
The obligation to go to Mass is still there and if you absolutely anticipate not being able to attend a Mass, contact your parish priest in advance and they can typically provide a dispensation. They may commute the obligation and ask that you complete some other pious works to honor the obligation.
Tips for finding Mass times and locations in a new place
When I first started road tripping, cell phones didn’t exist except the old school suitcase ones. You would have to find a phone book somewhere or ask a local where a Catholic Church was. Obviously now it is super easy to find the nearest Catholic Church along with Mass times and anything else you want to know. Basically, it takes more work to avoid going to Mass than it does to just round up the family and go.
I have an advantage in that my wife is a planner for a living and anytime we go on vacation, I know where we are going to be and when as well as what shirt I need to where on any given day. All kidding aside, there are several websites that list Mass times, one of which is, aptly, Masstimes.org. This is the one I usually use.
If I know what city we are going to be in on Saturday night or Sunday morning, I usually just Google it to see what Catholic Churches are available. I’ve found that the direct church websites are more accurate sometimes than the sites that harvest all of that info.
Preparing for Mass on the road: what to bring and what to expect
From my experience, other than some local variations, attending Mass while on the road is really no different than attending at your usual parish. A nice thing about the Mass is it’s basically the same all over the U.S. and the world. You’ll know when to sit, stand, etc. The universality of the faith is one of it’s great uniting characteristics.
I’ve never attended a Mass where something was so different or out of the ordinary that it registered as something uncommon enough to raise an eyebrow.
The one thing I would recommend that you bring with you and for your family is an extra layer to put on, such as a sweater or light jacket, because every Catholic Church in America is freezing. Going to St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans in the middle of August? Freezing. Going to the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe in Wisconsin in May? Extra freezing.
Benefits of attending Mass while traveling
I enjoy attending Mass at new places. As a people watcher (not in a creepy way), it’s just fascinating business seeing how other communities vary the incidentals of worship within the formula of the Roman Rite.
I also enjoy seeing the architecture of different churches. Most of the time, we wind up at an older community church built in a relatively traditional style but we’ve been in plenty of mother ships too. Occasionally, you’ll find a gem where you least expect it.
Another benefit, if you make an effort to plan, is that you can see some remarkable churches, cathedrals, basilicas, monasteries, etc. Many of the great expressions of Catholic architecture are out of the way and you have to make an effort to find them but it is absolutely worth it, in my opinion. Mass attendance can become part of the destination experience.
A few times, it has worked out to stay the night at a monastery and attend Mass in the morning. The Benedictines, for example, have had a long standing tradition of welcoming guests and their monasteries typically have a guest house. The accommodations have always been basic but well maintained. If you have a large family, this is probably a no go but do some research and see.
Overcoming challenges and staying committed to your faith while on the road
I know it can be difficult to work Mass in when traveling, particularly if you have kids, family obligations or any number of a thousand other commitments that pull you in other directions.
It can bring several benefits, both spiritual and practical, though, and I can say the efforts we’ve made to make sure to attend have been fruitful. An overview of some potential benefits:
- Spiritual nourishment: Attending Mass while traveling is a way to continue to maintain your spiritual practice and deepen your connection to God. Mass provides an opportunity to participate in communal worship, hear the word of God, and receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.
- Sense of community: Attending Mass while traveling can also be a way to connect with other Catholics and feel a sense of community, even in an unfamiliar place. You can meet new people and share in the common experience of the Mass.
- Cultural experience: Attending Mass in a foreign country can offer a unique cultural experience, as you observe the different traditions and customs of the local community.
- Familiarity: If you are feeling homesick or disoriented in a new place, attending Mass can provide a sense of familiarity and routine.
- Practical considerations: Finally, attending Mass while traveling can be practical in terms of meeting your Sunday obligation and ensuring that you stay on track with your spiritual practice, especially if you are on a longer trip.
Overall, attending Mass while traveling can provide a range of benefits that can enrich your spiritual and practical experience of the trip. I encourage it!