In a significant move to address contemporary pastoral challenges, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy has released a new decree updating the Church’s guidelines on Mass intentions and stipends. The revised norms emphasize both the spiritual meaning of such practices and the practical realities facing many parishes around the world.
Pope Francis approved the decree on Palm Sunday, April 13, and it is scheduled to take effect on Easter Sunday, April 20. Though the document has only been published in Italian so far, it introduces substantial changes to the way Mass intentions can be managed by priests and dioceses.
The new decree officially replaces the 1991 instruction known as Mos Iugiter. While retaining Canon 945 of the Code of Canon Law—which states that priests are permitted to receive offerings for celebrating Masses with specific intentions—it also expands the guidelines to address newer pastoral situations. One of the most notable updates is the clarification and regulation of what are known as “collective intentions.”
Under the updated rules, bishops’ conferences or provincial councils may now authorize priests to accept multiple offerings from different individuals for a single Mass celebrated with a collective intention. However, this is only permissible under a specific condition: all donors involved must be fully informed and must voluntarily agree to it.
The decree is particularly strict about this requirement, stating, “Such consent of the donors can never be presumed.” It adds that, “In the absence of explicit consent, it is always presumed that consent has not been given.”
This clause ensures that faithful contributors are fully aware that their Mass intentions are being grouped with those of others in a single liturgical celebration, preserving transparency and upholding the spiritual value of the offerings. The measure aims to maintain the trust of the faithful while offering a practical solution for parishes overwhelmed with numerous Mass requests, especially in areas facing priest shortages.
The document also reiterates that stipends for Mass intentions must never be treated as commercial transactions. It warns that any attempt to buy or sell spiritual favors falls into the grave error of simony. In the Church’s teaching, simony refers to the illicit buying or selling of spiritual goods, and such practices are considered serious violations of ecclesiastical ethics.
Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, who serves as the prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, commented on the rationale behind the revised norms. He explained that the changes were the result of “profound consideration” and a process that involved wide consultation with bishops, priests, and lay faithful from around the world. The effort sought to incorporate a global perspective on how the Church can better address emerging pastoral realities.
One of the key issues addressed in the new decree is the growing difficulty in fulfilling all requested Mass intentions, especially in regions that are experiencing a decline in the number of priests. With fewer clergy available, it has become increasingly challenging to individually celebrate Masses for every single intention received. The updated norms try to provide a balance between pastoral capacity and the need to uphold the sacredness of each Mass.
To ensure the proper implementation of the new rules, bishops are now required to educate both the clergy and laypeople in their dioceses about these updated norms. They are also instructed to keep meticulous records of Masses celebrated, intentions offered, and the associated stipends received. Accurate documentation is seen as a vital tool to prevent abuses and maintain the integrity of the Church’s practices in this area.
The decree includes a particularly meaningful directive regarding the spiritual role of priests. It underscores that priests should willingly offer Masses for the intentions of the faithful regardless of whether they receive an offering. As the document states, they should do so “especially [for] the poorest, even without receiving any offering.”
This provision reinforces the Church’s commitment to ensuring that access to spiritual support through the Mass is not contingent upon financial contributions. It reflects a pastoral vision that prioritizes service to the most vulnerable and underlines the principle that spiritual goods should be available to all, not just those who can afford them.
Another significant aspect of the updated norms is the strict prohibition of a practice that had been occurring in some places: substituting a promised Mass with a mere mention of the person’s name or intention during another liturgical celebration. The document categorically denounces this, stating that such substitutions are “gravely illicit.” In other words, a Mass offered for a particular intention must be properly celebrated as such, not simply acknowledged in passing.
In an effort to ensure that Mass intentions are fairly distributed, the decree also introduces a new pastoral option. Diocesan bishops are now authorized to transfer surplus Mass intentions from parishes that have more requests than they can fulfill to other areas of the Church, such as mission territories or parishes in need. This initiative promotes a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility within the global Church community.
By allowing this redistribution, the decree seeks to maintain a balance between honoring the intentions of the faithful and addressing the practical constraints many dioceses face today. It enables regions with fewer Mass requests or more available clergy to assist those where demand outpaces capacity.
Overall, the new decree represents a thoughtful and pastorally sensitive update to the Church’s long-standing practices regarding Mass intentions and stipends. It aims to uphold the spiritual integrity of the Mass while adapting to modern challenges such as clergy shortages and increasing pastoral demands.
Cardinal You Heung-sik emphasized the depth of reflection and wide-ranging input that went into crafting the decree. He reiterated that it is a product of global dialogue and a recognition of the diverse pastoral realities present in different parts of the world. His remarks underscore the Vatican’s commitment to ensuring that Church practices remain both theologically sound and pastorally effective.
The decree’s implementation on Easter Sunday carries symbolic significance, aligning the update with the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and the Church’s renewed mission in the world. It signals a moment of reflection and renewal for both clergy and laity, inviting the faithful to engage more consciously with the spiritual meaning of offering and celebrating the Holy Mass.
By reinforcing transparency, reaffirming the sacred nature of spiritual offerings, and offering practical mechanisms to handle modern difficulties, the decree sets a new pastoral standard for how the Church approaches the intentions of the faithful around the world.