Difference between offering mass

[Eufrosnia]

Hi there,

I was wondering what the difference between the following may be

1. Giving a stipend for a mass intention and offering mass for that intention
2. Attending mass and offering the intentions during the mass where intentions are offered (from the silence of our hearts) or at the pause at “Let us pray”.

Any help in understanding this is appreciated.

 

[Eufrosnia]

Hello? bump

 

[Lormar]

Eufrosnia, that’s a good question, and I’d like to know the answer myself. Does one offering do more for the soul than the other? I would think it is more meritorious to have the priest offer the Mass. But I do not know for certain.

 

[Joan_M]

Eufrosnia, that’s a good question, and I’d like to know the answer myself. Does one offering do more for the soul than the other? I would think it is more meritorious to have the priest offer the Mass. But I do not know for certain.

Yes, Lormar, there is far greater merit in having the priest offer the Mass. Of course, we can pray for people each time we attend Mass, and that is good, but there are much greater blessings when the priest offers the Mass for the person.

 

[Eufrosnia]

Eufrosnia, that’s a good question, and I’d like to know the answer myself. Does one offering do more for the soul than the other? I would think it is more meritorious to have the priest offer the Mass. But I do not know for certain.

Yes, Lormar, there is far greater merit in having the priest offer the Mass. Of course, we can pray for people each time we attend Mass, and that is good, but there are much greater blessings when the priest offers the Mass for the person.

Oh thanks to both of you, that would make sense then with respect to merit.

Also, would this mean that if one intended to have a mass offered for a priest or his intentions, one would have to choose a mass held by a different priest? Like otherwise it would seem redundant or is that still ok?

 

[Lormar]

Yes, Lormar, there is far greater merit in having the priest offer the Mass. Of course, we can pray for people each time we attend Mass, and that is good, but there are much greater blessings when the priest offers the Mass for the person.

Thanks, Joan! What greater gift can we give to anyone but to have a Mass offered for them? It is priceless!

 

[asd72]

I do a morning offering and spiritual communion prayer each day and usually attend Mass weekly at this point. So I feel I unite my intentions to Jesus and His sacrifice daily and receive Jesus spiritually if not sacramentally daily too.

I find it confusing to be honest the difference and I am only giving my basic understanding which my be wrong, but I think when the Priest offers the Mass, he offers on behalf of ***the Church ***which is why it is objectively superior to the offering of an individual. Just as because an indulgence is granted by the Church, it is objectively superior to personal prayers of intercession.

I would think the love and purity of the persons intention would have some bearing subjectively though. I doubt someone who was rich but unloving would be subjectively better off because they could afford regular Masses to be offered for them, than a poor devout, loving person who could not afford a stipend regularly but united all their desires to Jesus and His sacrifice personally.

I would be interested to know if that is correct or I have it wrong there if anyone knows.