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
27
8am Sandra Sonnen Healing
9:30am Ray & Terry Garries - Annv
12pm PL&D
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28
12pm John Cosmas - I
29
12pm Ava Bull - I
30
8am Mary Patten - BD
1
8am World Peace - I
2
12pm Kathy Howell - I
3
5pm † Jimmy Boheler
4
8am Healing & Peace for Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong
9:30am PL&D
12pm Maria & Felipo Sanchez Chavez-Annv
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5
12pm Korri Bull - I
6
12pm † Kay Alderson
7
8am World Leaders - I
8
8am Park Bull - I
9
10
5pm PL&D
11
8am Souls in Purgatory
9:30am † Leonard Majkowski
12pm Alexa Fuentes Cumpleanos
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12
12pm Trey Laffin - BD
13
12pm James & Alissa Webster - Annv
14
8am † Souls in Purgatory
15
8am Liselotte Gonzalez - BD
16
17
5pm † Kay Alderson
18
8am † Ed & Marianne Hallett
9:30am † Theo Majkowski
12pm PL&D
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19
20
21
22
23
24
5pm † Frank Lee
25
8am Peake Family Intentions
9:30am † Ron Dozier
12pm PL&D
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26
27
28
29
30
31
5pm † Karl Buettner
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!
- National Shrine of Divine Mercy
- https://thedivinemercy.org/mass
- Monastary of Christ in the Desert
- https://christdesert.org/prayer/mass-requests
- St. Joseph Abbey
- https://www.saintjosephabbey.com/massintentions