Weekday Masses: 'Rest in Peace'

[Elizabeth]

Please could you tell me why certain weekday masses listed have the name of somone who has passed away and then Rest in Peace? Is this simply a memorial or is this in some way an indulgence?

Is it so that a Catholic may donate money to the Church on behalf of his loved one who has passed away so that a certain Mass may be celebrated in their name(s) and time in Purgatory decreased?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Elizabeth:

Please could you tell me why certain weekday masses listed have the name of somone who has passed away and then Rest in Peace? Is this simply a memorial or is this in some way an indulgence?

Parishes usually publish in their bulletins the names of the persons for whom particular Masses are being said. If it is a memorial Mass, the name is noted with an “RIP” or a cross to inform the reader that the person is deceased. If the name is not so noted, the Mass may be for the intentions of a living person.

Elizabeth:

Is it so that a Catholic may donate money to the Church on behalf of his loved one who has passed away so that a certain Mass may be celebrated in their name(s) and time in Purgatory decreased?

Yes, a person may donate money in order to have Mass said for the repose of the soul of a loved one. If the deceased is in purgatory, the benefits of the Mass may be applied by God to the person for whom it is intended and thereby decrease that person’s time in purgatory. If the person is in heaven or in hell, God may apply the benefits of the Mass to someone else who is in purgatory. No prayer is ever wasted.