Should we have Mass intentions only for the deceased or for other reasons as well?
On this All Souls Day, it is good to think about this since we have the tradition of offering Masses for the dead. Yet, this is a confusing issue as to its details even for me! The Council of Trent taught that Mass may be “offered for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities.” The Church Code of Canon Law states, “A priest is free to apply the Mass for anyone, living or dead” (c. 901). From this and some other sources, I believe an official Mass intention is only to be applied to a person living or dead and not to a “cause”. This takes some explaining on my part. First, what is a Mass intention?
The Mass is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross made present to us. Jesus offered His life for us, for all people, so that our sins may be forgiven. When we participate at Mass, we participate in Christ’s one true sacrifice on the cross. By participating ourselves, we grow in grace. But we can and should also offer this grace (which is infinite because of the infinite value of Jesus’ life) for others. The “Mass intention” is the person the priest is specially intending this grace to be given to. Of course, there is plenty of grace to go around and grace is not limited to only the Mass intention, but only limited by our openness to it. Sometimes the intention is said aloud (usually during the petitions), but even if it isn’t said aloud, it is still intended. I don’t believe the intention can be “cause” like world peace or help finding my keys or anything like that, because Jesus didn’t die for a cause, but for human beings and the forgiveness of their sins. However, we do pray for causes during Mass; we just don’t have them as our “intention”.
If you look in the bulletin (probably just to the left of this column, you’ll see “Mass Intentions for the Week” along with a list of who each Mass is being offered for. If you see just a name, that person is deceased. If you see “Intentions of …” then that Mass is offered for a living person(s). In any case, the Mass is being offered for the remission of sins (meaning a release from the guilt or penalty of sins), but also for “other necessities” as the Council of Trent taught. I assume that “other necessities” includes the things we need to live our faith on earth and reach our final destination in heaven. So you can see why most often we offer Mass for the dead so that any sins or punishments due to sin may be purged (think purgatory), and they may enter Heaven. It is also a way to honor and stay in communion with our deceased loved ones.
So, how do you sign someone up to be the Mass intention of the priest? Stop by the office to select a date, give the information, and give the suggested offering. What is the offering? There is the tradition of us contributing what we can to the support of the Church and in participation with Christ’s own offering of life. This offering really is more symbolic than anything, as it amounts to only a few dollars per Mass. If a person is poor and unable to offer even that, it is suggested that they offer at least something. It is important for us to do this, because it is our way of participating in the sacrificial offering of Jesus.
Does just the priest have a Mass intention? No. The laity also participate at Mass and should have their own personal intention. The grace of the Mass is there, we should ask for it, share it with others, and put it to good use!
-Fr. Greg
If you would like submit a question, please write it out and place it in the “Ask a Priest” box in the vestibule or email me at frgreg@kc.rr.com.
