Mass Intentions

"When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."  - Revelation 5:8

  • What is a Mass Intention?

    A Mass intention is the Church’s way of applying the spiritual fruits of the Eucharist to a specific person or intention. Every Mass is offered for the whole Church, but the priest may also offer that particular celebration for:


    • A deceased loved one
    • A living person (birthday, anniversary, illness, thanksgiving)
    • A special intention (conversion, healing, gratitude, vocations)

    This practice is ancient. The early Church prayed for the living and the dead during the Eucharist, and inscriptions in the Roman catacombs show Christians asking that the Mass be offered for the repose of souls. Saints like Augustine, Monica, Ambrose, and Chrysostom all testify to the power of these prayers. 


    The Church teaches that the Mass is the most powerful prayer we can offer. When a Mass is celebrated for someone, special graces are applied to that person or intention in a unique way. 

  • What the Church Teaches (Canon Law & Vatican Guidance)

    Mass intentions are governed by Canons 945–958, which regulate how intentions and offerings are handled. Key principles include:


    1. One Intention per Mass (Normally)

    Canon Law allows one intention per Mass, unless the faithful explicitly consent to a “collective intention” Mass—multiple intentions combined into one celebration. Consent cannot be presumed. 



    2. Offerings Are Not Payments

    A stipend is a freewill offering, not a fee. It supports the priest and the parish, but grace cannot be bought. The Church condemns simony and requires transparency. 



    3. Intentions Must Be Compatible with Catholic Teaching

    Parishes may not accept intentions that contradict the faith or moral teaching. 



    4. Accurate Record‑Keeping

    Priests and parishes must keep careful records of intentions, stipends, and fulfilled Masses. 



    5. Surplus Intentions May Be Sent to Mission Priests

    If a parish cannot schedule all intentions within a year, they may be forwarded to priests in mission territories who can offer them sooner. 



    6. Some Masses Cannot Take Individual Intentions

    Certain liturgies—such as Holy Thursday, Easter, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and All Souls—are offered for all parishioners and do not take individual intentions. 

  • What Kinds of Intentions Are Allowed?

    • The repose of the soul of someone who has died
    • A living person who is sick or suffering
    • A birthday, anniversary, or milestone
    • Thanksgiving to God
    • A general prayer intention (as long as it aligns with Catholic teaching)

Mass Intention Form

If you would like to submit ONE Mass intention, use the following form.  If you have multiple Mass intentions, please call the office 803-432-6131, Option 3 or email Nancy at nromaniello@charlestondiocese.org.


Please note your requested date may not be available or not on a date when Mass is being offered.  In these cases, you will be contacted at your email or phone number to discuss an alternative date based on availability.


You will be contacted once your request has been approved and completed.


Can't find a date you need?  See below the calendar for additional organizations that can take Mass Intentions online!


Submit one Mass Intention

Email for Multiple Mass Intentions

August 2026

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

26

9:30am † Francis Mathieu

12pm PL&D

27

12pm † Jimmy Fincher

28

12pm †Richard M. Bush

29

8am World Peace - I

30

8am † Lorraine Jorge

31

1

5pm † Glenn Gorsky

2

9:30am Amanda Sheheen & Family - I

12pm PL&D

3

12pm † Jimmy Boheler

4

12pm † Trudie Hubbard

5

8am Charles Howell - BD

6

8am World Leaders - I

7

12pm † Jimmy Boheler

8

5pm † Eoline Hamburger

9

9:30am PL&D

12pm Keilyn Corona Comfleano

10

12pm Park & Korri Bull - Annv

11

12pm † Souls in Purgatory

12

8am Special Intentions

13

8am † Francis Cotter

14

7pm † Carol Creasey

15

9am † Jeane Minardi

5pm † Anna & Tom Berg

16

9:30am Seth Howell - BD

12pm PL&D

17

12pm Matt & Amanda Stephen - Annv

18

12pm † Rose Teed

19

8am Pope Leo -I

20

8am † Ron Dozier

21

22

5pm † Harold E Lami Sr

23

8am † Elmer D. Green Jr.

9:30am Ethan Trout - BD

12pm PL&D

Show all

24

12pm McCorthy Family - I

25

12pm Luke Patton - BD

26

8am † Charles & Barbara Cotter

27

8am World Peace - I

28

29

5pm Jacobs Family - I

30

8am Healing of Tim Wallace

9:30am † Ervin Sobecki

31

12pm Thomas & Maria Howell - I

1

12pm World Leaders - I

2

8am † Claude Zimmerman

3

8am † Claude Zimmerman

4

12pm † OLPH Living and Dead

5

5pm † Jimmy Boheler

Can't find a date you are looking for?  The following organizations also take Mass Intentions online and are additional options since our calendar is booked for the remainder of the year!