GOOD INTENTIONS

Well live and learn.

I was surprised at the number of people who said they did not quite grasp the idea of having a mass said for someone. So I thought that I would just go to one of the books on my shelf, take some notes, and write you a little post on it. There was barely anything in any of my books save for some guidelines in Canon Law. So no wonder it might start becoming a lost aid to faith unless you are very aware of it being practiced by your parents.

So what is going on here? First of all it is not that a mass is being purchased, it rather a request of the priest that he include in his specific intention that for which you wish to be prayed. That does not mean that no other intentions may be offered as the benefits of the mass are endless and include the prayers of all present, but by giving something of yourself, most commonly a small amount of money, you are sacrificially uniting yourself to the mass (even if you are not present) and having an intention particularly prayed for. (A priest may only accept one a day. Period. Though he may remember other intentions for which he does not receive a stipend.) I think for most Catholics this description is sufficient, but if you have deeper questions here is site that you might want to check out. It is a very in depth explanation.

But how do you go about doing it? You might want to call your parish office before heading out to arrange for a mass. The books that record masses and for whom they are being said sometimes fill up quickly and they may not have any vacant spots until they open next year’s books. They should be able to tell you when that happens. Others might have openings and invite you over at your convenience to make the arrangements. Sometimes there are limits on the amount of masses they allow for any one individual.

First a choice is made from the available dates. Then they will ask you for what intention do want the mass said. The vast majority of these masses are for the reparation of the soul of a loved one. As it says in Pope Benedict’s “Spe Salve”, “The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say, do, and achieve. And conversely, my life spills over into that of others: for better and for worse. So my prayer for another is not extraneous to that person, something external, not even after death. In the interconnectedness of Being, my gratitude for the other – my prayer for him – can play a small part in his purification. . . It is never to late to touch the soul of another, nor is it in vain.”

Occasionally masses are offered up for other purposes but these, by their nature, are more rare. One might be in the case of a significant wedding anniversary (such as the 50th.) Also the ritual for the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick states, “Sick persons who regain their health after being anointed should be encouraged to give thanks for the favor received by participating in a Mass of thanksgiving or by some other suitable means.” This might be taken care of by way of having a mass said for this intention.

A suitable donation determined by the local ordinary is given. No more than the amount stipulated (depending on the diocese may be $5 or $10) may be accepted as part of the stipend.

You should receive a “mass card.” It will state the mass intention and the date when the mass will be said.

And that is pretty much it. Hope it helps.