From the desk of the Tar Heel Disciple
November 2025
With the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) celebrated on November 2nd, there usually are many calls in a Catholic parish for prayer for the deceased during the month of November. Oftentimes, there are special envelopes distributed to parishioners with an invitation to write the names of their deceased loved ones and return the envelopes to the parish, where whatever monetary offering included is removed, and the envelopes are placed on the altar, sometimes remaining there for the entire month. Where does the money go? Is this the same “thing” as an offering (stipend) for a Mass offered for a particular intention? What does it mean to offer a Mass for a dead person?
Founded in both Scripture (see 2 Maccabees 12:46) and Tradition, the Church teaches her sons and daughters that it is a work of mercy and charity to pray for the dead. We believe that our prayers can assist those dead who might be experiencing a state of purgation and preparation for entry into heaven. The holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which makes present to us the Sacrifice of Christ offered on the Cross for our salvation, is the church's greatest prayer and can and ought to be offered for the dead. The faithful are encouraged to ask the priests of the Church to offer Masses for their beloved deceased ones. (Masses can also be offered for the living and other worthy intentions, e.g., for peace, etc.). The faithful who request that a Mass be offered for such particular intentions are encouraged to make a personal and free-will sacrifice that contributes to the sustenance of the minister and/or the works of the Church. In former days, these offerings were often given in kind (e.g., food). Today, they are almost exclusively given in monetary form.
To avoid grave scandal and serious sins (e.g., sacrilege and simony), every effort must be made to avoid even the appearance of “selling a Mass” or “trafficking” in any way in the same. And yet, devout Catholics will sometimes innocently ask a priest or parish secretary, “How much is a Mass?” The Catholic Church has established a great deal of legislation around this matter to avoid such an approach, but it is often little understood by the faithful. And in some places, there is a lack of local legislation and/or education, and thus subsequent confusion or even misinformation. Beginning with this blog post and continuing in the following ones, we will attempt to clarify and answer common questions about Masses offered for the dead and the stipends connected with them, in keeping with the mind of the Church. To be continued…
