Novena of masses for an intention

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abinjoy

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Is it TOTALLY FINE to request a novena of masses for a pressing need in my life?

I am skeptical about it for the reasons below
  1. I feel it is like bribing the God to gain some personal favour.
  2. Also if the power of one mass is infinite why would a novena of masses is required?
3.If the priest says that he may not be able to say the mass on 9 consecutive days, will that make it less efficacious?
  1. If I request several mass for myself will it turn out to be an act of belittling the value of mass
  2. Finally if I mention something like “freedom from any demoniac oppression in my life” as my intention, will that sound a bit silly? Have any one heard of such intentions ever being announced in any mass?
 
abinjoy said:
Is it TOTALLY FINE to request a novena of masses for a pressing need in my life?

I am skeptical about it for the reasons below
  1. I feel it is like bribing the God to gain some personal favour.
NO, it’s not. Prayer is good, and is pleasing to God. Why in the world would the Mass ever be seen as a “bribe”.?
  1. Also if the power of one mass is infinite why would a novena of masses is required?
It’s not required. It’s a popular devotion.

3.If the priest says that he may not be able to say the mass on 9 consecutive days, will that make it less efficacious?

This is where you’re going to run into issues. A parish priest I can almost guarantee, will not have 9 days open. We are booked in our parish till December. The better chance you have is by contacting a Monastery.
  1. If I request several mass for myself will it turn out to be an act of belittling the value of mass
No. Everyone needs prayer.
  1. Finally if I mention something like “freedom from any demoniac oppression in my life” as my intention, will that sound a bit silly? Have any one heard of such intentions ever being announced in any mass?
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Don’t know how he will react, but I wouldn’t expect that to be published in the bulletin or announced. You can say for a “special intention”. God knows what you mean.
 
AlyssaSky said:
What is a novena of masses?
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A novena of masses is a set of 9 masses celebrated on consecutive days generally with a special intention. Usually one would require a small amount as an offering for the mass to be celebrated by a priest. I think it is about $10 per mass in US. In 3rd world countries it would be lesser but still there is a suggested donation
 
abinjoy said:
  1. I feel it is like bribing the God to gain some personal favour.
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Having Holy Mass said to receive a grace isn’t a bribe, it is simply the channel through which God can choose to give you the graces you ask for.
abinjoy said:
  1. Also if the power of one mass is infinite why would a novena of masses is required?
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For the same reason receiving Holy Communion doesn’t instantly make us a Saint: because the efficacy of the Mass is dependent on various factors, even if the sacrifice is infinitely meritorious because of the One Who is the Victim.
abinjoy said:
3.If the priest says that he may not be able to say the mass on 9 consecutive days, will that make it less efficacious?
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Along with many other factors, yes, it very well might.
abinjoy said:
  1. If I request several mass for myself will it turn out to be an act of belittling the value of mass
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No, but it might not exactly be modest either.
abinjoy said:
  1. Finally if I mention something like “freedom from any demoniac oppression in my life” as my intention, will that sound a bit silly? Have any one heard of such intentions ever being announced in any mass?
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If you believe you are experiencing demonic oppression then you should at least make some sort of an effort to consult with an exorcist who could help you discern what is happening and to clean up any messes.

Now, I’ve not heard Mass intentions being mentioned at all insofar as going into details is concerned. I only ever hear the person for whom the Mass is being said announced. The intentions are kept private, and are probably only known by those who requested the Mass to be said. If your parish is different, and they do make mention of specific intentions, then I think it is imprudent to mention demonic oppression. It is of no one else’s concern if you are experiencing something like that, and I think it is imprudent to have a whole congregation be made aware of this.
 
Not that I did not like your response. Just that I am looking for more clarity after hearing from more than 1 source:)
 
Why not go to the parish priest where you want these masses offered and speak to a priest? As mentioned earlier, it will be difficult to get 9 consecutive masses offered.

I hope you are not looking at a novena as some kind of sure thing. You may or not get the outcome you are looking for. I do not know if this intention is for yourself or someone else or whether it is actually the problem or not, but perhaps a meeting with the priest would help you ascertain what the problem is. He would be able to offer you spiritual guidance which may be more effective and helpful than a series of masses for your intention.
 
Is it TOTALLY FINE to request a novena of masses for a pressing need in my life?
Click to expand...
I am skeptical about it for the reasons below
Click to expand...
  1. I feel it is like bribing the God to gain some personal favour.
Click to expand...
  1. Also if the power of one mass is infinite why would a novena of masses is required?
Click to expand...
3.If the priest says that he may not be able to say the mass on 9 consecutive days, will that make it less efficacious?
Click to expand...
  1. If I request several mass for myself will it turn out to be an act of belittling the value of mass
Click to expand...
  1. Finally if I mention something like “freedom from any demoniac oppression in my life” as my intention, will that sound a bit silly? Have any one heard of such intentions ever being announced in any mass?
Click to expand...
You might be better asking for them to be said in a monastery. There are several orders who offer to say Mass and this is in fact what I do. I have recently had Gregorian Masses said by the Franciscans.
 
OP,
Maybe you were not aware that whenever we attend mass and offer it to God for our personal intention, it is honored. During the Offertory, Father says, “Pray brethren, that my sacrifice and YOURS may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.”

The only difference when a mass is scheduled at the rectory, is the priest must make it his intention, since a stipend was paid. Meanwhile, you may easily go to daily mass on your own for nine consecutive days and offer the mass for your intention, as a novena of masses.

[Some folks forget that they may offer mass *every time for their personal intention.]

I trust you know that novenas are not guaranteed of having the intention answered, simply because they are prayed nine times. Nevertheless, they are a powerful way of concentrating your focus in earnest petition. May God assist you and give you peace.
 
pianistclare said:
I’d be happy to clarify. What don’t you understand?
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  1. Also if the power of one mass is infinite why would a novena of masses is required?
It’s not required. It’s a popular devotion. - Then why would there be a concept of novena mass itself?

3.If the priest says that he may not be able to say the mass on 9 consecutive days, will that make it less efficacious?

This is where you’re going to run into issues. A parish priest I can almost guarantee, will not have 9 days open. We are booked in our parish till December. The better chance you have is by contacting a Monastery. -
  1. If I request several masses for myself will it turn out to be an act of belittling the value of mass
No. Everyone needs prayer. So do you think it is ok that I can book 1 mass per day for me. i.e 365 masses? I feel it is a little awkward?
 
abinjoy said:
  1. Also if the power of one mass is infinite why would a novena of masses is required?
I don’t believe it was me who said it ever was. :confused:

It’s not required. It’s a popular devotion. - Then why would there be a concept of novena mass itself?

**Many monasteries, and religious houses offer Novena Masses as a way to pray for big events, big worldwide intentions, and as a way for many more people to participate. Also they offer these for people who are bereaved, for the repose of the souls of their loved one. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just not common at the parish level, except for Festivals, Patron Saint days etc. Just because they are not necessarily offered everywhere it doesn’t mean they are wrong. **

3.If the priest says that he may not be able to say the mass on 9 consecutive days, will that make it less efficacious?

**The thing with Novenas is the concentration of prayer, so in a way, the consecutive part is key. But that will depend on the priest and not for any of us to answer. Likely he would prefer consecutive days, but I can’t answer for your priest. He may do consecutive Fridays, for example. **

This is where you’re going to run into issues. A parish priest I can almost guarantee, will not have 9 days open. We are booked in our parish till December. The better chance you have is by contacting a Monastery. -
  1. If I request several masses for myself will it turn out to be an act of belittling the value of mass
No. Everyone needs prayer. So do you think it is ok that I can book 1 mass per day for me. i.e 365 masses? I feel it is a little awkward?
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There are many convents and monasteries that offer cards with a year of Masses, even 5 years of Masses for a particular intention. Once you get on one of those mailing lists, you will tons of those cards in the mail. For example: masscardsaa.com/index.php?cPath=25&osCsid=ebd298d5ad211a3e75c9fd6041cebc4d

There are many other, this is just the first one that popped up on a google search.
 
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