The Vatican has issued a new decree tightening regulations around stipends offered for Masses. The decree, approved by Pope Francis on Palm Sunday, April 13, was promulgated by the Dicastery for the Clergy and will take effect on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.
The updated norms build upon existing canon law and the 1991 decree Mos iugiter, and are intended to protect both the spiritual integrity of the Eucharist and the trust of the faithful in the Church’s handling of their offerings.
At the heart of the decree is a call to prevent any distortion of the Mass intention practice that might suggest a commercial transaction. While the faithful may continue to offer stipends for Masses to be celebrated for specific intentions, the decree underscores that such offerings must never carry the appearance of a fee-for-service exchange.
The Holy See reaffirms that Mass stipends are “a form of spiritual participation and support for the Church’s mission,” and not a form of purchase or payment.
One of the most closely watched aspects of the new decree is its regulation of “collective intentions”—Masses celebrated for multiple intentions supported by multiple offerings. While the practice is not abolished, it is now subject to stricter conditions.
The decree mandates that:
- Donors must be clearly informed and must freely consent to having their intentions joined with others in a single Mass.
- The frequency of collective intentions must be limited, preserving the traditional link between one offering and one Eucharistic celebration.
Additionally, the norms strictly prohibit the substitution of promised Masses with mere verbal mentions during liturgies. Such practices are now deemed “gravely illicit” under the new law.
In an appeal to bishops, the decree emphasizes their duty to catechize the faithful about the theological and spiritual meaning of Mass offerings, monitor the implementation of the norms, and maintain accurate records of all intentions and stipends received.
The Dicastery calls for “justice to the faithful” and warns against the danger of simony, the sin of attempting to buy or sell spiritual goods—a concern historically and theologically serious in the life of the Church.
A strong note of pastoral concern runs throughout the decree. Priests are encouraged to celebrate Masses even without stipends, especially for the poor. Furthermore, diocesan bishops are permitted to redirect surplus intentions to priests in mission territories or in under-resourced parishes, ensuring that no intention is left unfulfilled and that the Church’s universal mission is strengthened.
Discussion about this post