The tradition of having a Mass celebrated for yourself or for someone else is centuries old. In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.” (CCC 1032)
Over 900 priests of the Legionaries of Christ celebrate the holy sacrifice of the Mass daily, and each Mass is offered for an intention. That’s almost 330,000 Masses every year. Now it’s easier than ever to request that one of these Masses, or a series of them, be celebrated for your intentions, with their new Mass Program website.
There is no price tag on the celebration of a Mass, however it is customary to give an offering when requesting that a priest celebrate a Mass for an intention. The suggested donations that are typically given for Masses offered in many parishes and religious orders vary according to the many types of Mass enrollments, and are listed on the website along with the option to request a Mass intention without making a monetary offering if one’s circumstances do not permit it. The donations that the Legionaries of Christ receive from the Mass program fund the needs of the priests and seminarians of the congregation.
When requesting a Mass intention, you can select a greeting card from one of many designs with religious art on the cover and information about the Mass intention and the priest who is saying the Mass inside.
You can request a Mass enrollment for yourself or for another person–living or deceased, for a special occasion, for healing, or for other special intentions. Information on each of these options is available on the website to help you find the right one for your intention.
Enrollment options include:
Individual Holy Mass
A single Mass will be offered for your intentions or the intentions of your loved ones, living or deceased.
Triduum of Masses
A series of three Masses on consecutive days exclusively for your intentions or the intentions of your loved ones, living or deceased.
Novena of Masses (Group Enrollment)
Your intentions will be remembered in our monthly Novena offered at the Legionaries of Christ’s seminary in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Novena of Masses (Individual Enrollment)
A series of nine Masses on consecutive days exclusively for your intentions or the intentions of your loved ones, living or deceased.
Perpetual Mass Enrollment
A remembrance in a Mass offered every Friday at our seminary in Cheshire, and in the seminarians’ daily Adoration. This special gift may be requested for individuals, couples, or families, living or deceased. Presented in a standing folder suitable for display.
Gregorian Series of Masses
Thirty Masses offered on consecutive days for the repose of the soul of a departed person. Presented in a standing folder suitable for display.
Life in Christ Series of Masses
Thirty Masses offered on consecutive days for your intentions or the intentions of your living loved ones. Presented in a standing folder suitable for display.
The Legionaries of Christ also offer Mass enrollments based on the liturgical calendar. The next one is an All Souls’ Day novena, which is a series of nine Masses offered in a special Group Novena for the Souls of our Dearly Departed beginning on November 2nd.
To request a Mass, or for more information about any of the Mass enrollment options, go to www.lcmassrequest.org.
