Question about mass intentions

[Inman]

I am a recent convert. I have a few questions about “mass intentions” and how they work. I have a vague idea of the answers but I am not sure.

1. What is the purpose of a mass intention?
2. What are the limitations on who a mass can be said for? For example, can it only be offered for the deceased or can they also be said for the intention of a very sick person? Do they have to be Catholic?
3. I have read by stipends for this. I assume the amount varies from parish to parish, but what is a typically amount?

My dad passed away in 2004 and I would like to have a mass said for him. He was a Southern Baptist and attended church regulary.

Thanks for your help.

 

[kell0618]

Hello and ***:extrahappy:WELCOME HOME!

***Now that I got that out of the way…

Go to your parish rectory/office and tell them you want a Mass offered for your deceased loved one. They’ll consult their calendar and give you choices of mass times that are available. Some like to remember a loved one on a birthday, some on the anniversary of death, yet others on another day of some special significance. Stipends are very small. At our church it is $10. No, they do not have to be Catholic.

You can always ask the priest to pray for a sick person and it would be up to him to include the person individually in announcements or with others in the general intercessions. That depends on the parish/priest how it is done. In our church, the priest will ask for prayers for people individually if they are gravely ill. Otherwise, they would be included in the general intercessions. Other parishes I’ve attended name all of the ill people individually and/or list their names in the church bulletin.

There are many, and I would dare say most, religious orders who pray for the sick and those who are deceased daily. Many send out Mass cards. You send them a small offering to cover the expense of mailing the card and to help support their order and they will add your intentions to their prayers. Certainly, they will pray without you sending them money. Religious orders must support themselves and though they take a vow of poverty, they must eat and pay bills like everyone else. I did a quick ‘google’ of mass cards and here is the first link that came up. You’ll see what I mean.

God bless you!

Kelly

 

[lak611]

1. What are the limitations on who a mass can be said for? For example, can it only be offered for the deceased or can they also be said for the intention of a very sick person? Do they have to be Catholic?

For a living person, you can still have a Mass said for them. My parish has a little form you can check off and it asks if the person is living or deceased. Or you can offer the Mass for your special intentions, then only your name for be listed in the bulletin (it would say "Special intention of [your name]). Masses can be said for anybody, Catholic or non-Catholic.

1. I have read by stipends for this. I assume the amount varies from parish to parish, but what is a typically amount?

In parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland, the suggested amount is $10, but there are Mission groups that will offer Masses for $5. If you cannot afford the stipend, the pastor will still offer the Mass.

My dad passed away in 2004 and I would like to have a mass said for him. He was a Southern Baptist and attended church regulary.

Thanks for your help.

You’re welcome. Offering a Mass for you dad is a wonderful thing. God bless you and my prayers go out for your dad.

 

[Inman]

Thanks for the quick and kind responses!