Is Every Mass is a Healing Mass?

[TrueLight]

I just saw this question and answer in the Ask an Apologist section:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=9332793#post9332793

**Question:
**
I went to my first healing mass last night. I asked the holy spirit to heal my feet as I have been having trouble with them I also asked to heal me where he thought I needed it.

Should I feel different? Does it take more that one healing mass to feel different. During the mass and the healing I would get this cold/warm feeling several times through out. But once it was my turn I didn’t feel that.

Am I over analyzing? I am a believer.

Thanks!

Answer:
Friend,

EVERY Mass is a healing Mass. And it is not all about how one feels. It’s all about His love for us and our need for Him. Just drawing near Him in the tabernacle is healing. He heals us through our love for Him as expressed through our willingness to trust Him. Keep your focus on Him rather than on how you feel.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

---

I’m not so much interested in the length of time it takes to heal, as I am in the answer that every mass is a healing mass.

Is every mass a healing mass? What is meant by healing in this context?

What is the purpose and history of a healing mass?

Thank you.

 

[TrueLight]

Don’t be afraid. I did ask for permission before starting this thread.

And please ignore the grammatical mistake in the title. That is a result of an incomplete deletion. Sigh.

 

[Melchior_1]

Every Mass is a healing Mass in the sense we get healed from our venial sins. Mass is also a form of prayer, and through prayer healing can happen at any time.

I have no issue with Masses geared towards healing (such as physical healing) specifically.

 

[finisterra]

I just saw this question and answer in the Ask an Apologist section:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=9332793#post9332793

I’m not so much interested in the length of time it takes to heal, as I am in the answer that every mass is a healing mass.

Is every mass a healing mass? What is meant by healing in this context?

What is the purpose and history of a healing mass?

Thank you.

Every mass is a healing mass. It is not because it is intended to be a Healing Mass that it is only proper of these masses to heal.

En every Mass, we adore Jesus Christ, we eat his Flesh and drink His Blood which is the best we can do in the Universe.

Now, some masses appeal to healing, remembering Christ’s Miracles, remembering the Apostle’s gifts of healing. I have participated in those and that happen a miracle with me I can hardly believe, for something happened in one of the Masses where we went from purpose of healing that we still wonder. From that day on, the disease we were praying for (and accepting if it did not come, God’s will be done!!!) the disease disappeared. We are still astonished. Worse, we left at 12:00 and the ceremonies went in the afternoon. And someone who was in the afternoon heard the priest saying: “Today a boy with such ans such disease( and he said our relative’s disease) was healed but I do not know whether he is here or at home, and we were driving home: I still have chills remembering”

 

[TrueLight]

Every Mass is a healing Mass in the sense we get healed from our venial sins. Mass is also a form of prayer, and through prayer healing can happen at any time.

I have no issue with Masses geared towards healing (such as physical healing) specifically.

Thank you Melchior.

For masses that are geared towards healing:

• Are there rubrics in the GIRM or anywhere else or is it up to the specific parish?
• Do they all involve “laying on of hands”?
• Does the healing portion take place after the mass is over “ite missa est”?

 

[thomas_jd]

Scripture gives the priests the power to heal. James 5:14-15
Healing is primarily a Spiritual event. Physical healing is sometimes accomplished yet the spiritual is the primary focus.
Often the one healed does not realize it at this time.
Often the priest is also unaware.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Thank you Melchior.

For masses that are geared towards healing:

• Are there rubrics in the GIRM or anywhere else or is it up to the specific parish?
• Do they all involve “laying on of hands”?
• Does the healing portion take place after the mass is over “ite missa est”?

Most healing Masses I’ve been to involve the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at some point, but I can’t remember at which point. People can come forward to receive the Sacrament, or the priest may go to them if they are unable. They are of course anointed.

I have been to healing services with a Charismatic priest, those are different than the healing Masses I’ve attended. Usually there is laying on of hands involved.

I have witnessed healings resulting from both the Anointing of the Sick and a healing service, but of course none has been investigated by the Church, so we can’t claim a miracle. However, to the person who is healed, that does not really matter. They are grateful to be healed, and most healings go unreported to Church authorities.

I watched my husband recover from a stroke that should have killed him after he was anointed. He had no blood supply to the left side of his brain. He did have medical intervention, but the Dr. said it was not likely to have much effect, but he was surprised and grateful that he was wrong. My husband walked out a week later with absolutely no neurological deficits, and no followup therapy other than the few days he was in the hospital.

 

[DeniseNY]

I watched my husband recover from a stroke that should have killed him after he was anointed. He had no blood supply to the left side of his brain. He did have medical intervention, but the Dr. said it was not likely to have much effect, but he was surprised and grateful that he was wrong. My husband walked out a week later with absolutely no neurological deficits, and no followup therapy other than the few days he was in the hospital.

Praise God!

 

[TrueLight]

I watched my husband recover from a stroke that should have killed him after he was anointed. He had no blood supply to the left side of his brain. He did have medical intervention, but the Dr. said it was not likely to have much effect, but he was surprised and grateful that he was wrong. My husband walked out a week later with absolutely no neurological deficits, and no followup therapy other than the few days he was in the hospital.

Prayer works!

So all healing masses are not charismatic per se?

In the ones with annointing of the sick (non-charismatic) is it only for those gravely ill?

 

[asia53]

In the ones with annointing of the sick (non-charismatic) is it only for those gravely ill?

No. My friend, who was going to have surgery (shoulder replacement) was anointed. He wasn’t gravely ill, but was facing a serious surgery.

Here’s a good article explaining the intent and purpose:

Anointing the Sick

 

[TrueLight]

No. My friend, who was going to have surgery (shoulder replacement) was anointed. He wasn’t gravely ill, but was facing a serious surgery.

Here’s a good article explaining the intent and purpose:

Anointing the Sick

I think I meant serious, not grave. Thanks for the article.

 

[Melchior_1]

Prayer works!

So all healing masses are not charismatic per se?

In the ones with annointing of the sick (non-charismatic) is it only for those gravely ill?

They are often associated with the charismatic movement (all the ones I have gone to have been charismatic, but you would expect that I suppose since I am involved with that movement). But it’s not essential for the charismatic stuff to be there.

I’m sure one can have a Healing Mass in the EF where;

• Mass happens.
• Homily on healing.
• Once Mass is done people can be prayed over for healing.
• In suitable cases, people get the Sacrament of Anointing.

Rubrics-wise, there are some Healing Masses where people will go up and be prayed over. I’m not sure if there’s an official time where this can happen. To play it safe, like I said above, some do the praying for healing after Mass ends.

I’ve also been to a couple of ones where they go from Mass to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and they to the praying for healing during Adoration. This is my personal favorite, because if you really want to be healed, why not have Mass AND Adoration?

 

[TrueLight]

appen. To play it safe, like I said above, some do the praying for healing after Mass ends.

I’ve also been to a couple of ones where they go from Mass to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and they to the praying for healing during Adoration. This is my personal favorite, because if you really want to be healed, why not have Mass AND Adoration?

Very interesting!

In all the videos I have seen, the laying on of the hands is followed by people falling backwards. Is this only done in charismatic masses?

I’m trying to figure out if it is possible to have a healing mass without the charismatic accouterments, if you know what I mean. Thanks for bringing up the example of how one might happen after an EF mass for example.

I’m also curious as to whether healing masses used to occur, pre charismatic movement.

 

[TimothyH]

Most healing Masses I’ve been to involve the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at some point, but I can’t remember at which point. People can come forward to receive the Sacrament, or the priest may go to them if they are unable. They are of course anointed.

This is my understanding of a “Healing Mass”, that it includes the sacrament of anointing of the sick. I don’t know if the phrase healing Mass is an official name of such a Mass used by the Church.

My parish has one every quarter, and it is usually followed by adoration, benediction or some other liturgical services such as veneration of the relic of St. Jude. The parish across the street from the local hopsital has such a Mass every Wednesday which is well attended.

I think that the Charismatics sometimes have a “Healing Mass” which may be different from the healing Mass which CB and I described.

-Tim-

 

[Cristiano]

Very interesting!

In all the videos I have seen, the laying on of the hands is followed by people falling backwards. Is this only done in charismatic masses?

I’m trying to figure out if it is possible to have a healing mass without the charismatic accouterments, if you know what I mean. Thanks for bringing up the example of how one might happen after an EF mass for example.

I’m also curious as to whether healing masses used to occur, pre charismatic movement.

I just think that you are too hang up with objections to the concept of charisma in general. You better remember that charismas are just gifts of the Holy Spirit and that people have an obligation to use them. Healers are people that have been given that gift, are you resisting that concept? I think that sometime people want to be so much in control that they rather keep the Holy Spirit out of the door, my pastor laughing at himself said that probably he is that kind of person.
These charismatic healing events are not part of a liturgy and they are to be done after Mass. There are other so called healing Masses (e.g. generational healing) that are associated with Padre Pio’s and the prayers are done after Mass too. I know an exorcist that strongly support those Masses and even if he celebrates the OF, he still sticks to the EF for a few rites.

 

[TrueLight]

I just think that you are too hang up with objections to the concept of charisma in general. You better remember that charismas are just gifts of the Holy Spirit and that people have an obligation to use them. Healers are people that have been given that gift, are you resisting that concept? I think that sometime people want to be so much in control that they rather keep the Holy Spirit out of the door, my pastor laughing at himself said that probably he is that kind of person.

You know, actually I’ve decided to delete my comments and not take the bait.

 

[guanophore]

Very interesting!

In all the videos I have seen, the laying on of the hands is followed by people falling backwards. Is this only done in charismatic masses?

No, it also happens outside of Mass.

I’m trying to figure out if it is possible to have a healing mass without the charismatic accouterments, if you know what I mean. Thanks for bringing up the example of how one might happen after an EF mass for example.

I’m also curious as to whether healing masses used to occur, pre charismatic movement.

Every Mass is a healing Mass because Christ is present. The only difference in a Charismatice Healing Mass is that more time is usually allotted, and people are encouraged to bring specific areas to Mass with them. We should do this all the time, of course, but many are not aware that Jesus always wants to heal us, and that when we encounter him in the Holy Eucharist.

We are not to chase after healing, or any other Gift, however, we are to seek the Giver, and if He chooses to bestow healing, we are receptive, but if not, then He will give us the grace to accept our afflictions.

 

[Cristiano]

You know, actually I’ve decided to delete my comments and not take the bait.

No bait at all, I thought that I was quite outspoken in my thoughts. I still respect your desire not to discuss it.

 

[TrueLight]

No, it also happens outside of Mass.

Every Mass is a healing Mass because Christ is present. The only difference in a Charismatice Healing Mass is that more time is usually allotted, and people are encouraged to bring specific areas to Mass with them. We should do this all the time, of course, but many are not aware that Jesus always wants to heal us, and that when we encounter him in the Holy Eucharist.

We are not to chase after healing, or any other Gift, however, we are to seek the Giver, and if He chooses to bestow healing, we are receptive, but if not, then He will give us the grace to accept our afflictions.

Thanks guanophore.