Fr. Z's Blog

From a readerette…

QUAERITUR:

I am thinking of what to put in an emergency kit/ bug out kit and wondered if I as laity and as a female could have a Mass kit in my “bag” in case of emergency or natural disaster.

Thanks for your question, which clearly shows that you hold Holy Mass as a high priority, to the point of associating it with survival.

Opinions will vary on what a “bug out bag” – BOB – should have.  Much depends on your own physical abilities to carry weight for a while in adverse conditions.

Some BOBs are for different reasons.  For example, you might need a “get home bag” at work or in the trunk of your vehicle (maybe with a compact, folding bike).  This BOB would supplement your EDC (every day carry) choices.  Otherwise, a woman might need a BOB to get her (and kids) fast out of her dwelling because of the return of an angry husband or boyfriend.  Other BOBs are, as you mention, for emergencies such as a tornado or even, quod Deus avertat, TEOTWAWKI events.

Also, much depends on your state in life: e.g., if you are a parent, you need things for your children that you would not need if you are on your own.  A priest has a different state of life which could prompt him to provide also for Mass, again, in adverse conditions.  He might choose to take the barest essentials.

Also, much depends on how much you have perhaps pre-positioned, stashed somewhere.  Thus, your BOB could be designed especially to get you to your stash or your “retreat”.

Also, are you bugging on foot?  In a vehicle?  There are lots of scenarios.

Also, much depends on how much you have networked and planned with others before hand.  Would that network include a priest?  That would be a pretty good idea.

For a woman, I would suggest – others will have ideas – the basics for food, purification of water, warmth, med supplies including painkillers, navigation tools (if you haven’t done trial runs to your objective), tools for fire and shelter, extra socks, good light sources, etc.  Also, if you can’t carry a semi-automatic rifle, such as AR-15 carbine or AK-47 systems and extra magazines, then a lightweight compact semi-automatic pistol like a Glock 19 (or maybe an FN 57?), with extra magazines, with which you have trained and trained and trained.  Women need a force multiplier even more than men do.  Rifles don’t exclude the handgun, and one handgun doesn’t exclude a backup.  Again, training.

Also, consider a radio of some kind, or transceiver.  Ham radio practice could be helpful, especially if you are networked.  Otherwise, information could be critical for your choices.

Training.   Keeping everything fresh and up to date in the BOB is important.  Knowing where everything is in the BOB, so that you can get at it in the dark, is important.  Making sure that moving the BOB doesn’t create too much attention drawing noise (clinking, etc.).

Should you pack a Mass kit?  You can’t say Mass.  If you don’t have a priest in your network, or a reasonable expectation that you will find one, I think I would opt for the essentials.  By all means take a Rosary or other devotional object.