C
CutlerB
Guest
The often-criticised practice of having a priest say Holy Mass for a specific intention, mostly a deceased person, is causing me some problems of understanding. I’d like to list the premises and conclusions I reach, so you can understand what I struggle with a little better.
Premise 1: Christ’s Sacrifice on Calvary, which is re-presented in every Holy Mass, was infinite in value.
Premise 2: Saying Mass for the soul of a deceased person benefits them in Purgatory.
Premise 3: One can have more than one Mass said for a person’s soul.
Conclusions
Question: Why would one have more than one Mass said, if the merit of every Mass is infinite (Christ’s Sacrifice)? Wouldn’t that soul be liberated from Purgatory instantly?
Question: If Mass can be said for other intentions (i.e. Pro Eligendo Pontifice, etc.) and the infinite value of Christ’s Sacrifice being thus applied to it, mustn’t the outcome necessarily be positive/a success of the intention? If it isn’t, wouldn’t it have been a sin to offer Holy Mass for that intention, since the intention was not in accordance with God’s will?
Perhaps someone can help. If you need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask.
Premise 1: Christ’s Sacrifice on Calvary, which is re-presented in every Holy Mass, was infinite in value.
Premise 2: Saying Mass for the soul of a deceased person benefits them in Purgatory.
Premise 3: One can have more than one Mass said for a person’s soul.
Conclusions
Question: Why would one have more than one Mass said, if the merit of every Mass is infinite (Christ’s Sacrifice)? Wouldn’t that soul be liberated from Purgatory instantly?
Question: If Mass can be said for other intentions (i.e. Pro Eligendo Pontifice, etc.) and the infinite value of Christ’s Sacrifice being thus applied to it, mustn’t the outcome necessarily be positive/a success of the intention? If it isn’t, wouldn’t it have been a sin to offer Holy Mass for that intention, since the intention was not in accordance with God’s will?
Perhaps someone can help. If you need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask.