Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: Praying for the Departed
ROME, JUNE 3, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Related to the question on prayers for the departed (see May 20), a reader from India asked: "How many intentions can be offered by a single priest celebrating mass? On Sundays our parish priest mentions more than 15 to 20 intentions for a single Mass that he celebrates. Is this valid and OK?"
We tried to address the complex question of Mass stipends and intentions on Feb. 2, 2005, and March 8, 2005.
On the latter date we wrote about the situation described by our reader: "[I]n some poor countries [] many people ask the priest to remember them at Mass and often offer a tiny sum as a symbolic contribution. Such offerings are not considered stipends as the faithful are accustomed to Mass being offered for many intentions besides their own."
This remains the case. The principle involved is that since the Mass, insofar as it is Christ's very sacrifice, is of infinite value, there is no limitation to the number of intentions that may be offered at any Mass.
The Church, however, normally allows for the priest to receive only one stipend for each Mass. However, as mentioned above, in poor countries where there are many requests for Mass and no true stipend as such, it is often allowable to offer Mass for several intentions.
Related to the question on prayers for the departed (see May 20), a reader from India asked: "How many intentions can be offered by a single priest celebrating mass? On Sundays our parish priest mentions more than 15 to 20 intentions for a single Mass that he celebrates. Is this valid and OK?"
We tried to address the complex question of Mass stipends and intentions on Feb. 2, 2005, and March 8, 2005.
On the latter date we wrote about the situation described by our reader: "[I]n some poor countries [] many people ask the priest to remember them at Mass and often offer a tiny sum as a symbolic contribution. Such offerings are not considered stipends as the faithful are accustomed to Mass being offered for many intentions besides their own."
This remains the case. The principle involved is that since the Mass, insofar as it is Christ's very sacrifice, is of infinite value, there is no limitation to the number of intentions that may be offered at any Mass.
The Church, however, normally allows for the priest to receive only one stipend for each Mass. However, as mentioned above, in poor countries where there are many requests for Mass and no true stipend as such, it is often allowable to offer Mass for several intentions.
posted by Chipi Buenafe at
1:06 PM
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