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Question
Dear Fr. Johnson,
A respected friend and neighbor recently passed away who was a devout Roman Catholic, having attended Mass almost daily until his last illness. Rather than send a memorial donation to a charity in his honor, I was wondering whether it would be possible for me (a non-Catholic Christian)to arrange to have a Mass said by the priest of his parish for the repose of his soul, which I think would be more meaningful to him due to his deep faith. Is making donations to have Masses said for the departed still done in Roman Catholicism, or is the custom now considered archaic? What would be an appropriate donation to the Church for this? Thank you very much for any help you can provide.
Hi, William:
Thanks for the question.
I am sorry to hear of the death of a respected friend and neighbor whom I am certain will be missed very much. It is absolutely appropriate and right for you to undertake to have a Mass said for the repose of his soul. It is not required that yu be a Catholic to do this. The donation given is called a "Mass Offering," and it is not the price of a Mass, but rather the pledge to obligate a Priest in strict justice (at the least) to make certain that he follows through and offers Mass for a particular intention. It is sometimes called a Mass stipend. The amount will vary according to certain localities, but there is usually an established custom in a region that is usually something like $5, $10, or maybe even $20. You would need to check the matter of this detail with the Priest of the departed's Parish. This custom is very much practiced from every experience I have ever seen or heard of it. I receive such offerings on a regular basis within my 3-Parishes.
+ God bless you!
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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