Requesting a mass to be said & blessing of a car

[Brentwin]

Hello, I am new to this forum. Thank you to anyone who reads and responds to this!

1. What are the guidelines (if any) for having a mass said for someone? What does this event involve, and how does this differ from just praying for a person? Should I be expected to pay for the mass?
   I have a good friend (catholic) who, in the simplest terms, is going through a terrible time in her life. I was wondering if it was appropriate to ask for a mass to be said for her at our local catholic church, of which I am not a parishoner (I just moved here), or if I should only ask people I know to pray for her. Anyone reading this, I would appreciate your prayers for her- Daniela is her name.
2. What are the giudlines (if any) for asking for blessings upon material objects? I know our priest blessed the new home of a couple in our church recently. Would it be inappropriate to ask the priest to bless a new automobile for its safety and the safety of those who ride in it? I had never even thought of it before, until a friend’s mom mentioned it. She is from Mexico, and the church is a little different there than in the US, so that’s why I was hesitant. Thank you for your help!

 

[cameron_lansing]

Mass intentions can be applied for the living or the dead. It is appropriate to make a voluntary offering to a priest for this, although they are encouraged to celebrate Masses for the intentions of those who cannot make offerings, too. It is a nominal fee regulated by the bishops of a province, or the diocesan bishop. In our diocese, I believe it’s $10.

Non - parishioners and even non-Catholics could make this kind of request, and you surely could, despite a lack of parish registration.

Means of transportation can be blessed according to the Book of Blessings (Blessing of the Various Means of Transportation [857-877]). Generally everything involved with human endeavors and undertakings can, provided they are not frivolous in nature. It appropriate to have a car blessed.

God bless.

 

[netmilsmom]

Brentwin:

1. What are the giudlines (if any) for asking for blessings upon material objects? I know our priest blessed the new home of a couple in our church recently. Would it be inappropriate to ask the priest to bless a new automobile for its safety and the safety of those who ride in it? I had never even thought of it before, until a friend’s mom mentioned it. She is from Mexico, and the church is a little different there than in the US, so that’s why I was hesitant. Thank you for your help!

We asked our dear Fr. Ben to bless our car.
He brought out a special book and Holy Water. It was great! Even my daughters were blessed as they were in the car with the windows open.
I trust that we are safe.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Another way to have a Mass said is to go to a web site of order priests, such as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate or various orders of Franciscans or even shrines of St. Jude. Take out the debit card and follow the prompts.

 

[Patchunky]

Brentwin:

Would it be inappropriate to ask the priest to bless a new automobile for its safety and the safety of those who ride in it?

In my Church, we bless cars, trucks and other forms of transportation the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elias on July 20.

Although, I have to admit, I don’t get mine blessed anymore as one year, the priest blessed mine and it was stolen the next day…

Hope this helps…

 

[steve99]

cameron_lansing:

Generally everything involved with human endeavors and undertakings can, provided they are not frivolous in nature. It appropriate to have a car blessed.
God bless.

I agree, and get your computer blessed, especially if you are using in in the Lord’s service.

 

[cameron_lansing]

steve99:

I agree, and get your computer blessed, especially if you are using in in the Lord’s service.

It is been somewhat frivolously mentioned more than once, that computers are more in need of exorcism.

 

[steve99]

cameron_lansing:

It is been somewhat frivolously mentioned more than once, that computers are more in need of exorcism.

I was being absolutely serious. I get my computers blessed at least once a year.

 

[cameron_lansing]

steve99:

I was being absolutely serious. I get my computers blessed at least once a year.

Sorry for teasing. I intended no offense. Frivolity aside, good for you. As one blessing for tools or other equipment for work reads in part, “In your loving providence, O God, you have made the forces of nature subject to the work of our hands. Grant that by devotion to our own work, we may gladly cooperate with you in the building up of creation.” Another reads, “Help them to strive for a better society and to praise and glorify your holy name forever.”

After all that’s what human labor, both physical and intellectual, is about. Work in the Lord’s service adds an additional element of sanctification to our endeavors, and it is good to recall that.

 

[Dr.Bombay]

Patchunky:

In my Church, we bless cars, trucks and other forms of transportation the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elias on July 20.

Although, I have to admit, I don’t get mine blessed anymore as one year, the priest blessed mine and it was stolen the next day…

Hope this helps…

I’ve never had my car blessed, but I can relate with certainty that sprinkling blessed salt and also carrying a blessed St. Benedict crucifix inside your car does not make it invisible to police radar.

 

[netmilsmom]

Dr. Bombay:

I’ve never had my car blessed, but I can relate with certainty that sprinkling blessed salt and also carrying a blessed St. Benedict crucifix inside your car does not make it invisible to police radar.

Wait a minute!!! Oh man!
(I guess adding a rosary wouldn’t help either.)

 

[Paul_W]

In response to your first question, since your friend is Catholic, it’s an excellent idea to request a Mass to help with her problem. I doesn’t matter whether you yourself are a practicing Catholic.

The intention is typically printed in the Parish bulletin, and announced during the Mass. Depending of your friend’s problem, normally you would request the Mass in the name of your friend, e.g. “for Mary Jones.” But if her problem is something that she would prefer to keep private for the time being, you could request the Mass “for a special intention, requested by Brentwood.”

Or, as others have said, you could request a Mass outside of her parish, where her privacy is not an issue. You will be given a “Mass card” that will let her know when and where the Mass will be said.

 

[Dr.Bombay]

netmil(name removed by moderator):

Wait a minute!!! Oh man!
(I guess adding a rosary wouldn’t help either.)

Nope, sorry mom. I had a rosary. Never leave home without it.