How do you have a Mass said for somebody?

[TK421]

Do you include a specific intention in this, or do you just ask the priest to have the Mass said for so-and-so?

I have a cerebral palsy sister with various mental problems that is on the verge of going to a state institution. She struggles with temptations to hurt/kill herself. I would like to have a Mass said for her. I live on the other side of the country, and none of my family would have a clue what I do in a Catholic parish unless I tell them, but her condition nonetheless feels like sensitive information that I would prefer not to make public to everybody around me.

 

[FrDavid96]

Do you include a specific intention in this, or do you just ask the priest to have the Mass said for so-and-so?

I have a cerebral palsy sister with various mental problems that is on the verge of going to a state institution. She struggles with temptations to hurt/kill herself. I would like to have a Mass said for her. I live on the other side of the country, and none of my family would have a clue what I do in a Catholic parish unless I tell them, but her condition nonetheless feels like sensitive information that I would prefer not to make public to everybody around me.

On the one hand, simply approach the priest and ask him to say a Mass for whatever intention you mean.

Most parishes have some kind of system for scheduling Masses. Many of them use simple forms. Here is a sample
http://www.fjremey.com/images/live/bce/bce_prod13_det.gif

Make sure that the priest know if the intention is for the living because most Mass requests are for the departed.

If you don’t want anything announced publicly, you can talk to the priest (or the parish secretary) and mention this. Most parishes will list intentions in the bulletin, but if you request, they can say something like “for a special intention.” The priest will still offer the Mass for that intention, it just won’t be printed.

 

[paduard]

Do you include a specific intention in this, or do you just ask the priest to have the Mass said for so-and-so?

I have a cerebral palsy sister with various mental problems that is on the verge of going to a state institution. She struggles with temptations to hurt/kill herself. I would like to have a Mass said for her. I live on the other side of the country, and none of my family would have a clue what I do in a Catholic parish unless I tell them, but her condition nonetheless feels like sensitive information that I would prefer not to make public to everybody around me.

Ask your [or a] priest to specifically …Offer up The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass for the “Well-Being” of… (you should name her - Christian name is sufficient).

If e.g. say your sister’s name is Maria, then write out a slip and hand it to the priest. worded exactly as follows:- Please offer up the Holy Sacrifice of The Mass for the Well-Being of Maria.

The priest doesn’t necessarily need to know much about ‘Maria’ because Our Blessed Lord knows exactly who your intention is for.

God Bless
paduard

 

[PietroPaolo]

BTW, it usually costs $10 (a donation, not a charge, but customary).

 

[Ignatius]

Do you include a specific intention in this, or do you just ask the priest to have the Mass said for so-and-so?

I have a cerebral palsy sister with various mental problems that is on the verge of going to a state institution. She struggles with temptations to hurt/kill herself. I would like to have a Mass said for her. I live on the other side of the country, and none of my family would have a clue what I do in a Catholic parish unless I tell them, but her condition nonetheless feels like sensitive information that I would prefer not to make public to everybody around me.

I have always just gone to the parish office and ask them to have a mass said. You can ask them to keep your name private.

 

[John1990]

Do you include a specific intention in this, or do you just ask the priest to have the Mass said for so-and-so?

I have a cerebral palsy sister with various mental problems that is on the verge of going to a state institution. She struggles with temptations to hurt/kill herself. I would like to have a Mass said for her. I live on the other side of the country, and none of my family would have a clue what I do in a Catholic parish unless I tell them, but her condition nonetheless feels like sensitive information that I would prefer not to make public to everybody around me.

Here is a link for you to request a Mass. This is where I request Masses…They send you an email and a letter in the mail acknowledging your request. secure.marianweb.net/thedivinemercy.org/mass/form.php

 

[EasterJoy]

I have always just gone to the parish office and ask them to have a mass said. You can ask them to keep your name private.

Yes. There are also monasteries that will do it. You can have Masses said for a particular person, for a particular intention, or for the intention of a particular person, including your own private intention.

 

[dconklin]

Our parish offers two intentions for each Mass said - with the exception of one of our five weekend Masses that is offered for the parishioners. We charge $5 and a Mass card is filled out and given to the requester that can be passed on to the living or the family of the deceased. I am on staff at the parish and the parish has the Mass on the staffer’s birthday offered for them. After 11 years I still feel odd when my name is announced at beginning of Mass when the intentions are presented because it is usually for the deceased.

 

[thistle]

On the one hand, simply approach the priest and ask him to say a Mass for whatever intention you mean.

Most parishes have some kind of system for scheduling Masses. Many of them use simple forms. Here is a sample
http://www.fjremey.com/images/live/bce/bce_prod13_det.gif

Make sure that the priest know if the intention is for the living because most Mass requests are for the departed.

If you don’t want anything announced publicly, you can talk to the priest (or the parish secretary) and mention this. Most parishes will list intentions in the bulletin, but if you request, they can say something like “for a special intention.” The priest will still offer the Mass for that intention, it just won’t be printed.

We have a similar form. However, there are so many people having Masses said that the names of the deceased are listed on a screen at Mass. I’ve never seen less than a couple of dozen names on the screen. The priest refers to the intentions of those on the screen.

 

[Ignatius]

We charge $5 .

I’m pretty sure that your parish doesn’t charge to have a mass said, that would be the sacrilege of Simony and would likely result in the excommunication of any priest who would charge to say a mass for someone.

In our parish a ‘love gift’ is usually given, but the request is never refused even if the requester doesn’t have any money.

 

[CatholicSheila]

Another option is to go through an organisation like Aid to the Church in Need.

You can request a mass intention and the stipend is sent to a Priest in a needy country. You don’t need to tell them your intention. They offer the mass for the intent of the person requesting it. God knows what it is.

churchinneed.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MO_Mass_Offerings_Main

That’s the US page. If you’re not in the US, there are pages for other countries which can be found here.