'Paying' to have your loved ones remembered?

[Marsha_Adams]

I read once that it was even appropriate to have masses said for saints as a way to honor them. It adds to the treasury of grace upon which they draw when praying for us. Has anyone else heard anything like that?

I have a devotion to Blessed Pius IX, and I call upon him often for help. He has never failed me and I would like to do something for him . . . but what can you give a saint who has everything? So I was thinking about having a Mass said for him.

What do you think?

Marsha

 

[Joysong]

Marsha, I cannot imagine reading the bulletin where masses are scheduled, and seeing the intention: Bl. Pius IX.

These blesseds and saints are already in glory and able to intercede for us without needing to store up graces from a mass in order to be of benefit us. I can’t imagine anyone telling you that.

It seems your mass intention would better serve those who are living or deceased that may be in need of prayer.

 

[Marsha_Adams]

Marsha, I cannot imagine reading the bulletin where masses are scheduled, and seeing the intention: Bl. Pius IX.

These blesseds and saints are already in glory and able to intercede for us without needing to store up graces from a mass in order to be of benefit us. I can’t imagine anyone telling you that.

It seems your mass intention would better serve those who are living or deceased that may be in need of prayer.

Joysong:

Well, what about those masses we have said for souls who unbeknownst to us are already in heaven? Doesn’t the infinite grace of the Mass benefit them anyway?

Marsha

 

[Joysong]

Marsha,

Yes, the graces are applied by God to those whom He knows are in the most need of His mercy, or as He knows best. But you are talking about declared blesseds and saints. There is no need for this once the Church has formally stated the person is in heaven.

You’re welcome to go the the rectory and ask about this, and see what Father advises.

 

[Joysong]

Marsha:

I have a devotion to Blessed Pius IX, and I call upon him often for help. He has never failed me and I would like to do something for him . . . but what can you give a saint who has everything?

Hi Marsha,

These words from Jesus came to mind today and seemed to be your answer.

Jn. 4:36-38 “Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal;
so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
For in this case the saying is true, One sows and another reaps.
I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”

Maybe the Lord is calling you to simply *‘rejoice together’ *with thanksgiving for his help, for you have ‘entered into his labor’ of intercession on your behalf.

Sometimes the best way to be thankful is to “Pay it Forward” like the movie last year advised. One cannot always pay the favor to the one who bestowed it, but it can be passed on through our goodness and favor to others.

 

[Joysong]

Wcknight:

They do not usually charge anything if they are mentioning parishioners as a regular part of the mass. BUT if you go to the office and say I want a mass said for my parent/relative/ or friend, that is a $200 fee,

I’m still having a tough time with this, thinking at first that it may be *hearsay. *Have you personally have gone to the rectory and been asked for a stipend of $200.00 to schedule a mass? If this is true, it seems to me that someone ought to be knocking at the Bishop’s door.

 

[jmcrae]

I’m still having a tough time with this, thinking at first that it may be hearsay. Have you personally have gone to the rectory and been asked for a stipend of $200.00 to schedule a mass? If this is true, it seems to me that someone ought to be knocking at the Bishop’s door.

$200.00 seems like quite a lot, doesn’t it?

Around here, the expected stipend for a Mass to be said is $10.00, which is the equivelent of an hour’s wages for semi-skilled labour, around here.

 

[wcknight]

I’m still having a tough time with this, thinking at first that it may be *hearsay. *Have you personally have gone to the rectory and been asked for a stipend of $200.00 to schedule a mass? If this is true, it seems to me that someone ought to be knocking at the Bishop’s door.

That is the price I’ve heard, and I will verify that as I intend to have a couple of masses said for relatives or friends.

 

[Joysong]

That would be great, Wcknight. Is it possible to call the rectory so we can put this thread to rest? You really perked my curiosity now.

Our pastor just mentioned this week that the new book has arrived for 2007. If anyone wants a particular date set aside for mass for a loved one, they should come in early and have it scheduled before someone else takes the date.

 

[InLight247]

I believe “live to give” is a good motto for life.
Priests are special people called by God. They give their whole life to God, to serve God’s people. It is very right to give stipend for the Mass they said on our behalf.

Is there any reason we should expect priests provide their services for free? Plus we can never outgive God. “Give, it will be given to you.” If we truly love God, we will also love His priests, and we will want to give them stipend even if it is not required.

Giving takes practice like anything else. We can all start to practice giving. I am talking about the principle here, not particularly pointing to the TV hostess and the online shopping cart.