Hi Mary,

A real Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation, even if it is Orthodox. But we are permitted to attend schismatic Masses only if there is no other one available. Your Latin Mass may be ecclesiastically legal or illegal.

If the society that has the Mass is run by the Society of St. Pius X, or some other similar schismatic organization (of which there are a bunch), then it is not part of the Church, so your desire to return to the Church is not being fulfilled.

If it is a Catholic Church in union with Rome, then it is OK to attend the Mass, regardless of whether it is:

1. a Latin version of the Novus Ordo (the new Rite) or
2. the Tridentine Rite, both of which are allowed in the Church.

So it depends on which group it falls under. Deceptive advertising is one way these groups get attendees.

As for Confession, one can go to Confession even to a defrocked priest in an emergency (e.g. in danger of death).

Other than that, No, because a central aspect of Confession is Reconciliation with the Church, and this is just what is not happening, because even if their orders are valid, they are not themselves reconciled with the Church. If one knowingly participates in a schismatic Rite without good cause (e.g. no other Rite available, danger of death), knowing it is wrong, then one is sinning and that means the Confession isn't valid, because one cannot withhold a serious sin and be forgiven. Confession is all or nothing — I can't confess adultery and hold back the embezzlement.

Mary Ann

Hi, Mary —

Mary Ann has answered your question accurately, but there is one other point regarding Confession. Any priest (but not a Bishop) requires the permission (celebret) of the local Ordinary (local Bishop) before he can hear any Confession. See the Code of Canon Law 969, 970, 971, 972, 974, and 975. Note however, that Canon 976 allows any priest the faculty to hear Confession, validly and lawfully, when the penitent is in danger of death.

For a more complete answer, you really need to advise us whether the Masses you are currently attending are celebrated by Priests in communion with Rome through communion with the local Bishop, or whether it is a schismatic group.

The form of the Mass is irrelevant. It can be English or Latin, Novus Ordo or any other of several approved Rites.

The question that needs to be answered regards "the status of the (celebrant|priest)".

Terry

Mary —

It's not so much going to a Latin Mass that's an issue, but going to a schismatic church or illicit Mass that is the problem. If you go to an indult Mass, there is not a problem; it fulfills your obligation, you can go to Confession, and everything.

I am not familiar with that parish, but the way you describe it makes me think that it is in some way not kosher. (No genuine Catholic Church would call itself "traditional".) It also doesn't show up on the lists of legitimate Latin Masses that I've found. If it is not licit, you should not be going to it. Here are a few licit (legal) Masses in Sacramento:

That should be more than enough to meet your needs, I should think. Remember, regardless of whether the Rites are valid or not (and most are), if you go to a schismatic church, you are not participating in legitimate, authentic Catholicism, but in a counterfeit.

Eric Ewanco