©2025 Victor R. Claveau, MJ
“Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him” (Luke 20:38).
The value of the Mass is infinite, because Christ is the Minister of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. He delegates the priest to act in His name, and actually performs Himself the sacrificial action in each Mass. However, while the merits presented to God in the Mass are infinite, their application to individuals is finite, and only to be measured by the acceptance of God. We know in a general way that God will answer our prayers, but how He will apply the fruit of a particular Mass, we do not know. The Church at every Mass remembers all her children, living and dead; the particular application of the infinite merits of Christ are known to God alone.
According to an old tradition, Catholics may offer a contribution to a priest and request an intention for a particular Mass. (Code of Canon Law, 945-946). Canon 955 §4 requires the priest to “note accurately the Masses which he has accepted to celebrate and those which he has satisfied.”
It is believed that special graces may be obtained when a priest applies the Mass to a particular intention because of his particular role as mediator between God and man; acting “in persona Christi” when offering the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
The faithful generally make an offering, called a stipend, to the priest in order to apply the Mass to a specific intention. By making this offering, the faithful, by parting with something that is their own, associate themselves more intimately with Christ who offers himself in the sacred Host, and obtain thereby more abundant fruits.
Every priest knows from keeping stipend records that requests for Masses are almost exclusively for those who have already passed the portals of death. Quite often Mass is requested to obtain a special favor, or in thanksgiving. Seldom is a Mass asked for as a present for someone still on earth, or for the Church Militant, the Pope, the bishop, or the parish itself.
Why is it that rarely does a person have Mass celebrated for themselves? Mass Intentions. Is it because we do not realize its efficacy?
On a personal note:
A few weeks ago, I received a message from the nephew of a priest who was a dear friend for more than 30 years.
The nephew wrote:
“My brother left the Church and became an avowed, adamant, Protestant. He would not discuss religion with me and became closed off from the rest of the family. Is there anything you might recommend that might help?”
I answered, “Have a Mass celebrated for his reconciliation.”
I received this a couple of days ago:
“Hello Victor, my friend. Two weeks ago, you asked if I’ve had a Mass said for my brother. So last week I had 2 Masses said and went to both. My family, and the Norbertine sisters in Tehachapi have also been praying. Today, I visited him in ICU. Long story short – today he renounced involvement in Protestant churches, went to confession, received anointing and Viaticum in the presence of his wife, children, and in-laws (all Protestant) that being Catholic is the only proper way to be Christian and that they all need to be Catholic. Thank you for your encouragement.”
I replied:
“I’m certain that Father would be happy to know about your brother returning to the Church. He and I will have a good talk about it one day.”
“When is the last time you had a Mass celebrated for yourself?”
“Okay, you got me again, I need to have a Mass said for my family.”
Providentially, a second correspondence came to me as I was posting the above.
“I have forgotten whether I have told you, I have a daughter who was approaching her 44th birthday, and we have had a troubled relationship for many years. The last time we met, she said horrible things to me. For her birthday, I requested a Mass for her, which was offered in my parish on her birthday. I could not attend. After that she asked me to have a tea with her more than once, but I could not bring myself to go. It was over a year before I answered her requests. Imagine my surprise when she told me that during that year, following a 20-year period of infertility, she had conceived, and delivered a healthy baby boy, 9 months following her birthday. One Mass did that. Praise be to God.”