Mass Intentions

You know the Mass intentions in the bulletin? And the person we pray for during the Prayers of the Faithful (petitions)? Those are Mass intentions. The Mass is one form of prayer, so all of us at Mass are especially praying for that special intention.

 

When a priest celebrates Mass each day, he offers each celebration of the Eucharist for a particular person, or intention. By doing so he applies special graces from God upon that person or intention. Similar to how we are able to intercede for others by our personal prayers, the Church is able to intercede for us through the celebration of the Mass. However, since the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” the Mass possesses a power that our personal prayers do not. The practice of offering Mass for particular intentions is an ancient one, dating back to the early Church. Most people remember to have a Mass said for the death of a loved one and a few may think to have a Mass offered for a special intention or friend who is suffering, but rarely do we think of having a Mass offered for a celebration! Is there a better way to show our gratitude to God? Masses can be said for birthdays, anniversaries, in celebration of the reception of the sacraments, or for prayers that have been answered!