ASK FATHER: SSPX or Diocesan TLM – It is an “undue burden” to have to wait 2.5 hours?

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

Lately I’ve been attending the EF mass but my only two options all week are a diocese EF mass at noon on Sunday or go to the local SSPX chapel for 8:30 am Sunday Mass. I want to give preference to the diocese but I prefer going earlier in the day.

Am I required to make the effort to go in the middle of the day to avoid the SSPX or can I attend the SSPX mass so long as I’m not intentionally avoiding the diocese or taking on a “siege mentality” ( I just want to go to a reverent Mass…)?

In earlier blog posts you spoke of “undue burden” for the faithful to reception of valid sacraments and participation at Masses, would this situation apply?

Lemme see.

Two choices for Sunday Mass, the unapproved one at 8:30 at the SSPX, and the approved one at 12:00 at the diocesan parish.

It is an “undue burden” to have to wait 2.5 hours for Mass?

Channeling my inner Jerry Seinfeld… really!?

A whole 2..5 hours?

You haven’t mentioned that you have a bunch of kids and a wife in tow and that you have to drive 2 hours each direction.

Oh… wait… you don’t, or you would have mentioned that.

I suspect that some people here might envy you the choice between two TLMs, which seem not to be all that far away.  They, too, might be thinking, “Really!?”

Look.  If you want to go to the SSPX chapel, don’t fiddle with excuses.  God cannot be fooled.

Sigh… I really look forward to formal and complete reunification and reintegration.