Historical Background

     Throughout our Diocese, priests, pastoral ministers, and parish secretaries often hear parishioners use terms like:  "I'd like to buy a Mass", or "How much does a Mass cost?"  

     This page will highlight our Catholic teaching about the Eucharist Itself, and about hte purplse and meaning of offerings given for the celebration of the Eucharist.  It is hope that this will wnhance our understanding and love for the Eucharist, and also will explain how Mass Offerings fit into our Eucharistic Theology.

     The practice of "Mass Offerings" find its origins in the early Christian community's pattern of presenting the gifts and of making intercession.  In the first centuries, along with the bread and wine made by the people and brought from their homes for the celebration of Eucharist, material elements were given as donations to the one who presided, for the upkeep of the local community and for those in need.  In the fourth and fifth centuries, these material elements were often grain, animals, clothing or foods.  This action of sharing was a tangible way to participate in the sacrifice of thanksgiving, to return to the Creator of all good, the goods of the earth.  It also exercised their care for others as did their many intercessory prayers during the celebration.
     During the eighth to the fifteenth centuries the meaning and practice of the presentation of gifts faded, the practice of receiving Communion decreased, and a "church-made" unleavened bread was mandated for use in the Mass.  With the loss of the people's active participation in bringing bread and wine for the celebration of the Mass, the focus shifted away from Mass as a celebration of the whole gathered assembly of priest and people, and moved to an almost exclusive focus on the priest as sole mediator, the one who made available the benefits of the Mass.  Offering money outside of the Mass for a special intention became a way to receive these benefits.
     In the last half of the twentieth century, the presentation of gifts has been returned to the faithful.  Bread and wine, along with monetary contributions are gathered during the liturgy.  The bread and wine presented by the people are offered during the Eucharistic Prayer.  Throughout the liturgy there are many moments when the community may interiorly voice its personal petitions.  During the Prayers of the Faithful, the community publicly voices its concerns for the world, the Church, the nation, and the many needs of the community.  Our monetary gifts once again become a sign of our care for the poor, for the transformation of the world, and for the needs of the parish and our priests.
     "Mass Offerings" are a way of contributing to ongoing needs, while remembering the intention/intercession of the donor.  This particular intercession is carried along with all the others voiced or unvoiced in the celebration of the liturgy.

Note:  This information is from a publication of the Diocese of London, Council of Priests, under the direction of Bishop J.M. Sherlock.

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