Novena of Masses

[MPSchneiderLC]

I’m almost tempted to ask an apologist this question since it’s a debate 2 priests who generally know there stuff are having.

If a priest accepts a novena of masses is he obliged to celebrate 9 consecutive masses or only 9 masses relatively close together.

I started a novena, then asked a priest to cover the intention for 2 days that unexpectedly I’ll have a set intention at a parish and he told me there is no need, I can just extend the novena.

 

[Luz_Maria]

Blessings and Congratulations on your Ordination!

First let me . . . I am not a Priest, but a life-long Catholic from a line of the same. What I think is stated as such – that and $1.50 might get you a cup of coffee.

When I have had a Novena of Masses made, I have stipulated 9 consecutive Sundays or exactly what I wanted. Did this person request 9 consecutive days? Could you find out from that person? I think: what you tried to do is correct; it depends on what the person requesting the Novena wants or wanted; you may re-start the Novena of Masses when you can say them as requested. I know God is in Eternity and time is different for Him, i.e., His timing is not our timing.

The only one that I have found must be on consecutive days are the Gregorian Masses. They must be started anew if interrupted. They do not have to be said by the same priest (maybe that varies from Order to Order?). There are only 5 days or times during the year that the 30 consecutive days of Masses may be interrupted and continued after.

Below is what I found from the Salesians of Don Bosco. So far they are the only ones I have found that would pre-arrange the Gregorian Masses for after a person’s death as noted at the end.

Sorry I cannot be of additional help, and I stand corrected if I am wrong.

God bless you and keep you always in His Heart, Father.

Luz Maria

giving.donboscowest.org/development/gregorian_masses/gregorian.htm?gclid=CObZpZ-9kLwCFWUOOgodHSYAtg

History

Gregorian Masses derive their name from St. Gregory the Great, the first Benedictine Pope who ruled the Church from the year 590 to 604. Gregorian Masses are offered for thirty (30) consecutive days for the repose of the soul of a particular person.

St. Gregory was the first to have a series of Masses said for a departed soul. The event that started this pious practice took place while he was abbot of St. Andrew’s monastery in Rome, prior to his election to the papacy.

In the fourth book of his Dialogues, St. Gregory relates how one of the monks of his monastery, named Justus, did not keep his vow of poverty very well. When Justus died, St. Gregory feared that the good monk might have to spend a long time in Purgatory because of his failures with regard to poverty. He therefore ordered that the Holy Sacrifice be offered up for Justus for thirty consecutive days without a break. On the thirtieth day, Justus appeared to a brother monk telling him that he was now freed from his sufferings because of the thirty Masses St. Gregory had caused to be said for him.

Pious Custom

Following St. Gregory’s example, Catholic people throughout the ages have continued the pious custom of having thirty Masses said for their departed relatives and friends.

The Sacred Congregation on Indulgences has declared that “the offering of Gregorian Masses has a special efficacy for obtaining from God the speedy deliverance of a suffering soul, and that this is a pious and reasonable belief of the faithful.”

Gregorian Masses may be offered only for the dead. They can be offered only for one particular person. The Masses must be said on thirty consecutive days, and if the series is broken, the priest who assumed the obligation must start all over again.

Offering

Many priests engaged in parish work, including marriages, funerals, and special obligations for their parishioners, find it extremely difficult to bind themselves to offer thirty consecutive Masses for a specific intention. On the other hand, it is generally easier to do so in religious communities where more priests are available.

The usual offering for a set of Gregorian Masses is $250, as it does entail the serious obligation on the part of a priest to offer them without interruption.

Gregorian masses are ordinarily offered as soon as possible after death, but specific dates cannot be guaranteed.

The Salesians of Don Bosco will make all the necessary arrangements for your Gregorian Masses.

Can Arrangements Be Made To Have Gregorian Masses Said For Oneself After Death?

Since Gregorian Masses may be offered only for the dead, they cannot be said for one who is still living. Nevertheless, one can and is well advised to, arrange to have them said for oneself as soon as possible after death. All one needs to do is simply send a request to that effect to the Salesians of Don Bosco with the customary $250 offering. We in turn, will send you a certificate to be kept among your important family papers with instruction that it be forwarded to the Salesians of Don Bosco immediately upon your death. As soon as we receive notice of your death, we will proceed at once to arrange the Gregorian Masses for you.

 

[MPSchneiderLC]

Thanks for your response. At least what I’ve always heard of as a novena of masses is 9 consecutive days. (By the way, my priest friend took the intention for those 2 days anyways to please me.)

My community will also offer Gregorian masses - usually assigned to those who work in the seminary.