Mass Intentions at St. Monica
One of the beautiful gifts of our faith is the power of intercessory prayer – that we can pray for one another!
Parishioners may request a Mass Intention by filling out an online form (see button to the left). Before filling out the form, please read the guidelines for Mass Intentions and Prayer Requests. Given the number of Mass Intention requests, we cannot guarantee that your requested date will be available. The Parish Calendar (on this website) shows the dates that an intention has already been reserved.
Once the form is submitted, you will receive an automatic email confirming your request. A member of the parish staff will contact you to confirm your request with the date and Mass time.
A $10 donation is suggested for Mass Intentions. This can be paid online (see button to the left) or by cheque or cash in the Parish Office by mail or in person.
Guidelines for Mass Intentions
Why do we have Mass Intentions?
A person may ask a Priest to offer a Mass for several reasons: for example, in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday or anniversary), or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died. One must never forget the infinite graces that flow from the Sacrifice of the Mass which benefit one’s soul.
“The tradition of offering Masses for others, particularly the dead, originates in the very early Church. Inscriptions discovered on tombs in Roman catacombs of the second-century evidence this practice: for example, the epitaph on the tomb of Abercius (d. 180), Bishop of Hieropolis in Phrygia, begs for prayers for the repose of his soul.” – Father William Saunders, What are Mass Intentions?, Catholic Exchange, 15 July 2020.
Tertullian (c. 200) attested to observing the anniversary of a spouse with prayers and sacrifices, i.e. the Mass:
St. Augustine (d. 430) recorded the dying wishes of his mother, St. Monica in his Confessions: “One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.”
When a priest offers Holy Mass, he has three intentions:
Therefore, the effects of the Mass bring certain benefits or fruits. The general fruits of the Mass are the effects upon the whole Church, to the living faithful as well as the poor souls in purgatory. For this reason, in the Canon of the Mass (the Eucharistic Prayer), a special mention is made for both the living and the dead.
The special ministerial fruits of the Mass are applied to the particular intention of the Mass, i.e., “for whom the Mass is offered.”
The intention of the Mass is also determined by various factors: The Church may stipulate the particular intention; for example, all pastors are required to offer one Mass on Sunday for the intentions of the living and deceased parishioners of a parish. A priest may also have his own particular intention in offering a Mass, such as the repose of the soul of his parents. Finally, a person may ask a priest to offer a Mass for a particular intention; usually, a stipend is given to the priest for offering the Mass, which thereby in justice creates an obligation which must be satisfied.
Why a Mass Stipend?
It is a voluntary donation whose origins go back to the early Church when stipends were made during Mass (Luke 10:7). Any Priest who celebrates and applies Mass to a particular intention may receive a stipend. When a Priest accepts a stipend he incurs a grave obligation in justice by virtue of a gratuitous contract, and he is bound to apply the Mass according to the conditions imposed and accepted.
The amount of the stipend is determined by the Diocesan standard, which must be observed by all Priests, Diocesan and religious. The stipend for 1 Mass intention at St. Monica Catholic Church is $10.00, per instruction of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon.
Benefits of having a Mass said for the departed or living
In light of the saving work of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we believe that when a person dies, he faces his particular judgment and must render an account of his life (Heb. 9:27, Lk. 16:19-23). If that person has died fundamentally believing in God and in a state of grace, but with venial sins and the hurt caused by sin, then God in His divine love and mercy will first purify the soul (Zach. 13:9, 1 Cor. 3:10-15). After this purification has been completed, the soul will have the holiness and purity needed to share in the beatific vision in heaven (Rev. 21:27).
The faithful here on earth can help those souls undergoing purification (2 Mac. 12:45) by having a Mass said for them. When we face the death of someone, even a person who is not Catholic, to have a Mass offered for the repose of his soul and to offer our prayers are more beneficial and comforting than any other sympathy card or bouquet of flowers.
Though we often think of having a Mass said for those who have passed away, Masses can be offered for those who are still alive. The Council of Trent says that Mass may be said "for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities." In other words, if you know someone who could benefit from the spiritual graces that come with having a Mass said on their behalf, there is no need to delay in doing so. Pope Benedict said, "The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death."
So next time when you can't think of what to get Aunt Betty or Grandpa Joe for their birthday, or maybe you know a young couple about to embark on their journey together in Holy Matrimony or maybe it's someone's anniversary, how about having a Mass said for them? What a fabulous gift filled with many graces!