When a priest celebrates Mass each day, he offers each Sacrifice of the Mass for a particular person, or intention. By doing so special graces from God are applied upon that person or intention. The act of offering prayers for the dead at Mass goes back to AD 235. Canon Law also confirms this practice and states, “In accord with the approved practice of the Church, any priest celebrating, or concelebrating is permitted to receive an offering to apply the Mass for a specific intention” (Can. 945 §1).
Request a Mass intention online
Anyone may ask a priest to offer a Mass for several reasons. For example, Masses can be offered in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday), or as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died.
Canon Law also states, “The Christian faithful who give an offering to apply the Mass for their intention contribute to the good of the Church and by that offering share its concern to support its ministers and works” (945 §2). This refers to a longstanding practice in the Church of offering a specified amount of money to the Church for a particular intention offered by the priest. This is not the act of selling something sacred for money (simony), but it is for the purpose of supplying items for Mass and for the support of the priest. In Dioceses of the United States, the standard offering for a Mass stipend is $10.
There are now two ways to request a Mass intention at St. Paul:
The bulletin contains the Mass intention schedule for each week. This is one of the primary reasons why a parish publishes a bulletin in the first place—it is the official public announcement of a parish’s Mass intentions. You can also view the schedule online here.
Nowhere in Canon Law does it state that there is an obligatory requirement to mention names at Mass. Mentioned or not, the intention is still applied. That's the bountiful blessing of the Holy Eucharist. The “spiritual value of a single Mass is infinite.” Remember that the Holy Mass is not made or celebrated for the pleasure of the family; and the family does not “own” the Mass.
“Remember, Lord, your servants...and all gathered here, whose faith and devotion are known to you. For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise or they offer it for themselves and all who are dear to them: for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being, and paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true.”
— The Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I)
Request a Mass intention online