A Mass Intention is a specific offering of a mass in honor of or in memory of someone by name at a specific mass time on a specific date. A Mass Intention is traditionally offered as a gift to someone who is grieving a recent loss or celebrating a milestone. During the Mass, these Intentions are heard when the presider or lector says, “That the intention of this mass for _______ may be pleasing and acceptable to God.”

Request a Mass

Normally, Mass Intentions are reserved in the Parish Office.  During COVID-19 Restrictions, those wishing to honor a loved one during the celebration of the Mass may request a mass date and time three ways:

– Request online using our new website form: https://holyspiritchurch.org/prayer-requests/

– Email leah.harris@dsj.org to Leah Harris, Director of Pastoral Care

– Mail in your request with your name, your phone number, email address, the name of the loved one, the date and mass time you prefer, an alternate date and your check donation to: Holy Spirit Church, 1200 Redmond Ave, San Jose, CA 95120. Please be prepared to receive a call to confirm.

All Mass Intention requests are filled on a “First Requested, first reserved” basis.  “First available” date requests are greatly appreciated.

Mass Cards can be sent by request as PDF electronic files for emailing or mailed by a Parish Staff member by USPS directly to your recipient. Mass cards are available for the living and deceased and provide opportunities for prayerful remembrance of anniversaries, birthdays, and other special intentions.

There is a strict limit of three Intentions per Mass and reservations are usually booked at least several months in advance. If you have a particular date or time on which you want the Mass, it is very important that you request your preferred date well ahead of time. Because we get so many requests for Mass intentions, we cannot accept requests for novenas of Masses, but will be glad to help you connect with one of the convents or monasteries where they can be done.

Background

When a priest celebrates the Holy Mass, he has three intentions: first, to offer the Mass reverently and validly in accord with the norms of the Church. Second, to offer the Mass in union with the whole Church and for the good of the whole Church. Third, to offer the Mass for a particular intention, such as the repose of the soul of someone who has died.

Therefore, the effects of the Mass bring certain benefits or fruits. The general fruits of the Mass are the effects upon the whole Church — to the living faithful as well as the poor souls in purgatory. For this reason, in the Canon of the Mass (the Eucharistic Prayer), a special mention is made for both the living and the dead. The special ministerial fruits of the Mass are applied to the particular intention of the Mass, i.e., “for whom the Mass is offered.” The special personal fruits of the Mass benefit the celebrating priest who acts in the person of Christ in offering the Mass and to the people who are in attendance and participate in the offering of the Mass.