ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on June 20, 2004

Dear Anthony: The reason for multiple Masses being said for someone is the same reason we pray repeatedly for our loved ones. The Bible and the Church teach us to persevere in prayer. God even tells us to storm heaven with our prayers. We need to pray as often as possible for our loved one who have died and for those who have not died. This is what God wants us to do and each prayer adds just that much more grace and assistance to our loved ones. As for Mass stipend of $500 I would think is illegal if that was the amount sought or expected by the priest for saying the Mass. Canon Law 952 specifies that the amount of a Mass Offering is to be determined by the applicable authority (i.e., council of bishops, provincial council). The priest saying the Mass cannot seek a larger sum than that established by the applicable authority, but can accept larger amounts if freely offered by the person, or accept lower amounts if that is what the person chooses to offer. In the United States, I think the amount set by the NCCB is $10. In no way can I believe that $500 would be expected or recommended. Are you sure that this was the amount expected, or was it an individual decision of a person to give that much? I might add, that it is not required for a person to offer any amount to ask a priest to say a Mass for their loved one; it is an offering, not a fee. The poor should NEVER be turned away for lack of ability to donate. Nevertheless when a person does offer any amount of money, no matter how small, they receive an extra grace and benefit that comes from contributing to the good of the Church and by that offering the sharing in the support of the Church's ministers (Canon Law 946). Thus a poor person can receive the same blessing in contributing to the Church and her ministers as others who give the standard or larger amounts if he gives whatever he can, even a penny. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary