Jump to content

Masses for Various Needs and Occasions

From Catholicism Wiki

Masses for Various Needs and Occasions are Roman Missal formularies that direct the Church's Eucharistic intercession toward particular ecclesial, civil, or personal needs.

Disciplinary status: Church discipline

Purpose

The sacrifice of the Mass is the Church's supreme act of intercession. The Roman Missal therefore provides Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, with proper collects and other texts for concrete concerns affecting the Church and the world. These include prayers for the pope, councils, vocations, unity, civil authorities, peace, refugees, favorable weather, the sick, chastity, family, and thanksgiving.

These formularies are not new sacraments and do not change the substance of the Mass. They give a permitted liturgical expression to a particular need while the Eucharist remains the memorial and sacramental presence of Christ's one Paschal sacrifice.

Principal categories

The Missal distinguishes Ritual Masses, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, and Votive Masses. Ritual Masses accompany certain sacraments or sacramentals. Masses for various needs respond to circumstances in the Church and world. Votive Masses honor a mystery of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, or the saints according to the devotion of the faithful. Masses for the Dead form a further regulated group.[1][2]

A Mass may also be applied for a personal intention without using a special formulary. The intention, the choice of formularies and readings, and any offering attached to the intention are related but distinct questions.

Calendar and authority

The liturgical calendar limits when optional formularies may replace the Mass of the day. They are most freely used on weekdays in Ordinary Time. Obligatory memorials and privileged seasons restrict them, while solemnities, specified Sundays, Holy Week, the Easter Octave, and other days exclude them except where the law or competent authority provides otherwise. Grave need may permit a suitable Mass under the authority described by the Missal.

References

  1. Back to citation General Instruction of the Roman Missal, chapter VIII — Paragraphs 368–385 on ritual, various-needs, votive, and funeral Masses.
  2. Back to citation USCCB: Votive Masses and Various Needs — Official explanation of the Missal's categories and their use.
Retrieved from "https://catholicism.wiki/index.php?title=Masses_for_Various_Needs_and_Occasions&oldid=27290"