BOOKING MASSES FOR YOUR INTENTIONS

The custom of offering masses for specific intentions is a very ancient tradition in the Church. The Mass is the prayer of Christ and the Church.  For this reason the Church considers the Mass as the greatest possible prayer of intercession as it is the perfect offering of Christ to the Father by making present the paschal mystery of his death and resurrection. The faithful generally make an offering, called a stipend to the priest who applies the Mass to their specific intention.  By making this offering, the faithful, by parting with something that is their own, associate themselves more intimately with Christ. The offering of a stipend is also a means whereby Catholics may contribute to the upkeep of the clergy. However, so as to avoid even the appearance of commerce in sacred things, the Church regulates the practice of receiving stipends. Thus, in normal circumstances, a priest may only accept one stipend for any one Mass even though he may offer up the Mass for several intentions.

The person who has offered the stipend has not “bought a Mass” a thing which is patently impossible. What has happened is that the priest has committed himself to celebrate a Mass according to the intentions of the person making the offering. We can offer masses for various intentions of thanksgiving, anniversaries, memorials, petitions, etc. 

For more information on how to book masses, kindly speak with Fr Sam or Christina Arthur-Davis (parish secretary) on 020 8695 1092.  Thank you.