Can someone tell me if this is true..

Calypso1977

i have never attended a mass outside either.  just because your parish does it, doesnt mean its legit. it might be, it might not be. 

as ive said before, just because a priest says something is ok or condones a particular practice or ritual, it might not really be ok.  i wouldnt be surprised to see a priest saying mass outside without the proper dispensation or approvals.  the mass would not be valid, HOWEVER, if you as a parishioner are attending the mass, under the assumption that your priest is correct, then you are technically fulfilling your sunday obligation since you are proceeding under the assumption that all is legit.   however, if you were to find out otherwise, that the priest is saying mass in a non-approved venue, then you would be incorrect to assume your sunday obligation has been filled.

as with Riss, i've seen the start of palm sunday done outside, and at easter  vigil we light the pascal (sp?) candle outside then bring in it.  never had a full mass outside, although i know a few years back, a special mass was said at one of the area shrines.  i assume this was all properly processed.

Theresa626

At the Jesuit college I attended, we had mass outside twice a year.  I've been on many different retreats held by the college or my parish church and we often ended with mass outside.  At the college church I attend now they have mass outside once a year.  It's usually just in a big pretty field somewhere near the church and they have a PA system so everyone can hear.  I've always thought it was really nice.  

Calypso1977

i'm guessing in those instances, the college/retreat did what they needed to do for approval since they had sheer numbers of folks that woudl never all fit into a church. 

maybe if one said they had thousands invited to their wedding, the could get an outdoor ceremony... but who really knows thousands?  the only weddings of that size ive ever seen are indian weddings.  a girl i know had 900 people at he wedding!

Riss91

That makes sense, Theresa, considering the large numbers of people. It doesn't seem like it's outside all the time, just on certain occasions, which would likely be permitted by the bishop.

I believe that sacraments should be received inside the church, because that is the reason we have churches. And I agree with Calypso that we should challenge authority figures within the Church that speak or act in ways that are not in line with the Church's teachings and rules.

mica178

I've never attended an outdoor mass, although the music director at my church said they do happen.  My church is on a large property, and there is an "approved" area where outdoor ceremonies can be held.  I personally preferred to have the wedding inside the church, so I did not find out more details, but in light of this conversation, I sort of wish I did so I could have better answers for all of you!