Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: Gregorian Masses; Multiple Intentions
ROME, NOV. 23, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
In relation to Mass intentions (see Nov. 9) an Indonesian reader asked whether the system of stipends unfairly favors priests who minister in wealthy parishes. "Is it just their 'fortune' that some priests in the poor parishes gain nothing while in the big cities some priests could get money easily? They are ordained priests by the same sacrament, but unfortunately some priests' daily Masses are not 'paid for' while the other priests in the big cities get abundant Mass stipends."
As a general rule the sum offered as a Mass stipend belongs to the priest, who may use it for his personal expenses. Depending on their particular rules religious priests may either retain their stipends or hand it over to their community.
As mentioned before, a priest may only keep one stipend a day even if he celebrates more than one Mass or one with multiple intentions. The recommended donation for a Mass stipend is deliberately set quite low, and there is no danger of a priest becoming rich on the basis of stipends. In most countries a week's stipends would barely cover the cost of filling up the gasoline tank of a car.
At the same time, given the difference in purchasing power in various countries, offering excess Mass intentions to missionary priests has sometimes been a means of supporting evangelization.
In relation to Mass intentions (see Nov. 9) an Indonesian reader asked whether the system of stipends unfairly favors priests who minister in wealthy parishes. "Is it just their 'fortune' that some priests in the poor parishes gain nothing while in the big cities some priests could get money easily? They are ordained priests by the same sacrament, but unfortunately some priests' daily Masses are not 'paid for' while the other priests in the big cities get abundant Mass stipends."
As a general rule the sum offered as a Mass stipend belongs to the priest, who may use it for his personal expenses. Depending on their particular rules religious priests may either retain their stipends or hand it over to their community.
As mentioned before, a priest may only keep one stipend a day even if he celebrates more than one Mass or one with multiple intentions. The recommended donation for a Mass stipend is deliberately set quite low, and there is no danger of a priest becoming rich on the basis of stipends. In most countries a week's stipends would barely cover the cost of filling up the gasoline tank of a car.
At the same time, given the difference in purchasing power in various countries, offering excess Mass intentions to missionary priests has sometimes been a means of supporting evangelization.
posted by Chipi Buenafe at
3:56 PM
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