Request a Mass Intention

Mass Intentions Scheduling Protocol

The practice of requesting a Mass to be offered for loved ones, living or deceased, is a beautiful and meaningful part of our Catholic tradition. In our pastorate, we have many requests for scheduling Mass intentions. We try to honor these to the best of our ability and in accordance with the Code of Canon Law for the universal Catholic Church. As such, we will utilize the following guidelines in order to accommodate the numerous requests in a reasonable and fair manner.

Mass Intentions Qualifications

Anyone may request a Mass intention for:

  • A person who is living or deceased, Catholic or non-Catholic.
  • Intentions for a particular person/people.
  • Intentions for members of a particular family/families.
  • A special intention appropriate to the celebration of the Eucharist, i.e. Vocations, Respect for Life, Souls in Purgatory, etc. These intentions should be general and not specific to an individual.

Intentions cannot be accepted which contradict the Catholic moral doctrine.

Mass intentions may be scheduled for all weekend and daily Masses (with some reserved as listed below).

Guidelines when Requesting a Mass

When scheduling a Mass intention, the following specifications apply:

  • Intentions may only be scheduled out one year from the current date (Canon 953)
  • An individual may schedule up to six Masses in a calendar year, including
    • no more than three weekend Masses and three daily Masses, and
    • no more than one Mass intention in a week’s time.
  • Special occasions are reserved for all parishioners of the parish and may not be assigned an individual intention, including Christmas Eve; Christmas; Easter Triduum including Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday; Mother’s Day; Father’s Day; All Soul’s Day, and Thanksgiving.
  • A Mass intention may not be lengthy and should be limited to two names or one group.
  • One Mass per Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation will be said for the intention of the parishioners of the pastorate (pro populo or “For the People” Canon 534)
  • Mass Intentions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to Request a Mass

To schedule a Mass intention, an individual should contact the respective parish office either by mail, email or phone. 

A suggested donation of $10 per Mass is requested. The Mass will not be scheduled until payment is received. However, no one will be denied a Mass based on ability to pay. 

Exceptions or Guidelines of Notice

  • The schedule of Masses is subject to change due to priest illness, schedule change, diocesan obligation, or other unforeseen circumstances. 
  • Due to unforeseen circumstances in which a public Mass is canceled or the schedule is changed, the intention for the Mass will be said privately or rescheduled. If the Mass intention is rescheduled, the parish office may contact the individual to notify them. 
  • Mass requests will be granted as close to the requested date and time as possible.
  • Any requests that the pastorate is not able to fulfill in one year’s time can be sent to the Chancery Office for other priests to say.