Can I have a Mass offered in my father's memory?

[AveryLeigh]

I’m a cradle Protestant who was confirmed in the Catholic Church last year. I’m still learning about some things that are uniquely Catholic, and have a question about offering a Mass in memory of someone. Our bulletin lists all the weekly Masses, and the names of people they are offered in memory of. During prayer, they are also mentioned by name. Can I request a Mass in memory of my father if he wasn’t Catholic? He was a devout Protestant, loved the Lord, and I’d like to honor him in this way if I can. Should the date of the Mass be significant, like his birthday or date of death? Am I correct that one of the purposes is expiation for the sins of those in purgatory?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

A memorial Mass may be offered for anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic. It can be done on any day open for memorial Masses, but many Catholics like to choose a significant date. Date of death is popular because that is the day of the person’s birth into the next life. But you can pick any day of special import to you or your father. Yes, Masses offered for a soul in purgatory can assist in the expiation of that person’s sins and help that person more quickly attain the beatific vision (i.e., heaven).