The Mass – Have it Said
The Reasons Why We Should Have Masses said NOW for Ourselves and the Living
By Frank Virgona
Knights of Columbus No.koc063 (1961)
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(Read the following thoughtfully)
A great Doctor of the Church, St Anselm, declares that a single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death. St Leonard of Port Maurice supports this statement by saying that one Mass before death may be more profitable than any after it. We must remember, however, that it depends upon the Will of God to what extent the fruits of the Mass are applied to any individual; and this is something that we cannot know.
The merit of the Masses that we have offered for ourselves during life will obtain for us a higher degree of glory in heaven, since we have made the meritorious sacrifice of offering the stipend for the Mass. After death it is impossible for us to add to our merit.
Masses offered for ourselves during life will go before us, to cancel either in whole or in part, the punishment due to our sins; thus we may greatly mitigate and shorten the duration of our punishment in purgatory.
Holy Mass can, obtain the great grace of a happy death for us in that decisive hour.
"The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death."
(Pope Benedict XV).
"The fruits of the Sacrifice of the Mass are in effect of much greater efficacy during one's life than after one's death because the application which is made to those well-disposed among the living is more direct, more certain and more abundant".
(Pope Benedict XV).
The most beautiful gift one can give to another person is a Spiritual Bouquet of a Mass or of a number of Masses. No material gift will ever be comparable to or equal the Infinite Value of a Holy Mass.
In our charity, and as far as our means permit, we should endeavor to have Masses said for others as well as for ourselves. It is suggested that we try to have Masses said for:
1. Priests, missionaries and religious, especially for Our Holy Father and our Bishops.
2. The persecuted, the poor and the downtrodden who do not have the means to have Masses offered for themselves.
3. Sinners, especially the most hardened sinners, and for the dying.
4. Our President, our Prime Minister, and all rulers and leaders, that they may be guided by the Holy Spirit to obey all His inspirations to the end that peace may reign in the world.
5. The conversion of all Communists, for our enemies and for the restoration of good morals in our delinquent youth.
6. Reparation: for all the neglect, contempt, outrages and blasphemies committed against Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, and against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as well as in thanksgiving for all the graces and favors Our Lord has granted to us.
7. The poor souls in purgatory, especially the most abandoned.
If your parish priests are not in a position to say Masses for your intentions because of other obligations, they may be able to forward your stipends for Masses to poor priests at home or abroad in foreign mission fields who need such help to carry out their work for the salvation of souls. Or you may send your stipends to the Catholic Church Extension Society or the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the assurance that your Mass intentions will be properly cared for and distributed to priests who will be happy to offer the Masses for your intentions. In so doing you will console greatly the Heart of Jesus and aid in the extension of His Kingdom.
Do not delay, then, to have Masses said for yourself and others NOW. Use the great treasure of the Mass NOW. Do it yourself now, and do not leave it to the uncertain future and to those who survive you.
Enclose this leaflet in letters, greeting messages, gifts and Spiritual bouquets in order to help others value more fully the great Treasure of the Holy Mass said for themselves and for others before death. This is a great work of charity. It does not mean however, that you should forget your own beloved dead. On the contrary have as many Masses said for them as you can afford.
Imprimatur: Albert Cardinal Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago, Ill, Oct, 2, 1961