Perpetual Mass Enrollments: A Beautiful Gift for Those We Love
What is one of the greatest gifts we can give someone we love?
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
At St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, Perpetual Mass enrollment cards are available in our bookstore. These enrollments are a beautiful way to remember someone in prayer—whether they are living or deceased—and to give a gift that reaches far beyond anything material.
Why Have a Mass Offered for Someone?
At every Holy Mass, the Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary is made sacramentally present upon the altar.
When we ask that Masses be offered for someone, we are entrusting that person to the infinite merits of Jesus Christ and asking God to pour His grace upon them according to His holy will.
You can have Masses offered for:
A deceased loved one
A family member or friend
Someone who is sick
A person going through a difficult time
A birthday or anniversary
A newly married couple
A new baby
Someone who needs conversion or spiritual strength
A special intention
Sometimes we don't know exactly what someone needs.
God does.
Offering Mass for them places their needs into His hands.
Why Have Masses Offered for the Dead?
Praying for the dead is a beautiful Catholic act of charity.
The Church teaches us to pray for the faithful departed, particularly for the souls undergoing purification in Purgatory.
We may bring flowers to a grave, treasure photographs, and keep someone's memory alive—and these are beautiful expressions of love.
But we can also pray for their soul.
Having Mass offered for someone who has died is one of the greatest spiritual gifts we can give them.
Our love for someone does not end at death.
Neither should our prayers.
What Does “Perpetual” Mean?
A Perpetual Mass enrollment associates the person enrolled with an ongoing spiritual remembrance in Masses and prayers offered by the religious community or organization providing the enrollment.
Rather than being remembered at only one Mass, the enrolled person shares in the spiritual benefits associated with those continuing Masses and prayers according to the terms of that enrollment.
That makes a Perpetual Mass enrollment an especially meaningful spiritual gift.
A Gift That Doesn't Fade Away
We spend so much time trying to find the perfect gift for people.
Flowers eventually fade.
Cards are eventually put away.
Possessions eventually wear out.
But imagine handing someone a card and saying:
“I enrolled you in Perpetual Masses.”
What a beautiful way of saying:
“I love you enough to pray for your soul.”
It can be especially meaningful for someone who already seems to have everything they need.
A Beautiful Sympathy Gift
Perpetual Mass enrollment cards are also a thoughtful gift when someone has lost a loved one.
Sometimes it is difficult to know what to say to a grieving family.
A Mass enrollment quietly says:
“Your loved one has not been forgotten. We are continuing to pray for their soul.”
Along with flowers or a sympathy card, it offers something profoundly Catholic: the consolation of prayer and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Don't Wait Until Someone Dies
Masses are not only for the deceased.
Have Masses offered for the living, too.
Enroll your spouse.
Your children.
Your parents.
Your godchildren.
A priest.
A friend going through a difficult season.
Someone who has helped you.
Someone who needs God's grace.
You can even give a Perpetual Mass enrollment for a birthday, wedding, anniversary, baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, or another important occasion.
Available in Our Parish Bookstore
Perpetual Mass enrollment cards are available in the St. Catherine of Siena Chapel bookstore.
The next time you are looking for a meaningful gift—or simply want to do something beautiful for someone you love—consider giving them the spiritual gift of Masses and prayers.
And don't forget those who have gone before us.
Write down the names of your deceased family members. Have Masses offered for them. Pray for them. Visit their graves. Remember them at the altar.
One day, we too will hope that someone remembers to pray for us.
“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” — 2 Machabees 12:46
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
