Mass Intentions

IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING REQUESTS FOR MASS INTENTIONS

We will be accepting requests in writing only, using the online form below. You will need to print the completed form and return it to the Parish Office along with your payment. The form may be mailed, dropped off to the Parish Office or placed in the weekend collection baskets in an envelope marked “Mass Intentions.” Confirmation of your request will be provided at a later date.
To accommodate the requests of all parishioners, we can only accept up to 5 Mass intentions per request, consisting of no more than 2 weekend Masses.
 
Intentions are only for an individual or a husband and wife and should have full names.

 

Why Get A Mass Intention?

In the Catholic Church, obtaining a Mass intention is a deeply meaningful and spiritual way to honor someone, whether they are living, deceased, or celebrating a special occasion. Obtaining a Mass intention is an act of love, faith, and hope. It is a way of offering the highest prayer of the Church for someone in need, whether they are living, deceased, or celebrating a special occasion. It brings the person closer to the heart of the Church’s prayer life and invites God’s grace to touch them in a profound and life-changing way. It also reminds us that we are never alone, and that the Church, in its communion, prays for and with us, bringing us closer to God.

The practice of offering Mass for someone—whether for healing, repose of the soul, or a significant life event—holds great value and significance. Here’s why:

 

1. Intercessory Power of the Eucharist

The Mass is the central act of worship in the Catholic faith, where the Church celebrates the sacrifice of Christ. Through the Eucharist, Catholics believe that the graces of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection are made present. When a Mass intention is offered for someone, whether they are sick, deceased, or celebrating a milestone like a wedding anniversary, the faithful are asking God to apply the graces of that sacrifice for the benefit of that person. This can be a powerful means of intercession.

For someone who is ill, offering a Mass intention asks for God’s healing grace and strength. For a deceased person, a Mass intention helps to offer prayers for the repose of their soul, asking that they may be purified and brought into the fullness of God’s presence. For special occasions like a wedding anniversary or other celebrations, a Mass intention can be an expression of gratitude, seeking God’s continued blessing on the individuals involved.

 

2. Spiritual Solidarity

In the Catholic tradition, there is a strong belief in the “communion of saints”—the idea that the faithful on Earth, in Purgatory, and in Heaven are all united in Christ. When a Mass is offered for someone, whether they are alive or deceased, it is an expression of spiritual solidarity. It signifies that the Church is praying for them and that they are not alone in their struggles or celebrations.

For those who are ill, the offering of a Mass can bring comfort, knowing that others are lifting them up in prayer before God. For deceased loved ones, it’s a way of continuing to care for them through prayer, asking for God’s mercy and grace as they transition into eternal life. It also reinforces the ongoing relationship between the Church and its members, both living and deceased.

 

3. The Gift of Prayer and Grace

In offering a Mass intention, Catholics are engaging in a beautiful act of charity. The Mass is an incredible gift of prayer because it is not just a personal prayer, but a communal one—offered by the whole Church. This is particularly significant when Mass is offered for someone who has passed away, as the faithful believe it helps them in their journey toward Heaven. Even for someone who is still living, the graces received through the Mass are seen as a way to spiritually support and help them grow closer to God.

Offering Mass for someone on their anniversary, for example, is a way of asking God’s blessing on their marriage, a recognition of the sacrament of marriage, and a prayer for ongoing love, joy, and fidelity in their relationship. It’s also an act of thanksgiving for the many graces received over the years.

 

4. A Source of Consolation and Hope

For those grieving the loss of a loved one, offering Mass for the deceased is one of the most meaningful ways to remember and honor them. It is an expression of faith in the resurrection and the hope that, through Christ’s sacrifice, the deceased will be united with God. The Church teaches that offering Mass for someone who has passed helps to support their soul’s purification and hastens their entrance into Heaven, especially if they are still in Purgatory.

For those dealing with illness, Mass intentions offer a sense of comfort and hope, knowing that the suffering of Christ, re-presented in the Eucharist, brings both spiritual and sometimes even physical healing.

 

5. The Power of the Holy Sacrifice

Finally, Catholics believe that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest form of prayer available to the Church. It is not simply a prayer for our intentions but the highest form of worship that can be offered to God. Because of the infinite value of Christ’s sacrifice, every Mass carries an eternal weight of grace. When a Mass intention is offered for a loved one, the Church believes this prayer, in union with the Eucharist, is incredibly powerful, and that God responds to the prayers offered in this way.