Mass for the People is the Mass that a pastor or diocesan bishop is bound to apply for the people entrusted to his pastoral care on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
The pro populo obligation
A pastor is bound to apply a Mass for the people entrusted to him on every Sunday and holy day of obligation in his diocese. A diocesan bishop has the corresponding obligation for the people of his diocese. Traditionally called the Missa pro populo, it gives liturgical expression to the shepherd's duty to pray and offer sacrifice for his flock.[1]
The obligation concerns the intention for which the Mass is applied, not a special public formulary bearing that title. The Mass of the liturgical day is celebrated according to the calendar. The people need not all be physically present for the Mass to be truly offered for them, although Sunday Mass is ordinarily the assembly of the parish community.
Canonical fulfillment
A pastor legitimately impeded may arrange for another priest to apply the Mass or apply it himself on another day. A pastor entrusted with several parishes is bound to apply only one Mass for all the people entrusted to him. If the obligation is omitted, the missed Masses must be applied as soon as possible.[2]
No stipend is accepted for fulfilling the pro populo obligation because it arises directly from pastoral office. It is distinct from additional Mass intentions requested by individuals and from the general intercessions voiced during the liturgy.[3]
References
- 1.Code of Canon Law: Particular Churches — Canon 388 on the diocesan bishop's corresponding obligation
- 2.Code of Canon Law: Parishes and Pastors — Canon 534 on the pastor's obligation to apply Mass for the people
- 3.Code of Canon Law: Mass offerings — Canons 945–958 distinguish accepted offerings and obligations to apply Mass