“The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death.” Pope Benedict XV

St. John Vianney said that if we knew the value of the Mass, we would die of joy.

The names listed next to a specific Mass indicate an act of love for the living or the deceased member of a family or friend. Mass intentions are scheduled on a first come/first serve basis. If you would like to have a Mass offered for a specific date or intention, in honor of a loved one, or for the repose of the soul of someone de-parted please contact the parish office : 202- 526-8822 or fill out the form below. A voluntary donation of $10.00 per Mass is suggested. 

Customary offerings are as follows:
Mass stipend: $10
Sanctuary candle: $10
Flowers: Main Church - $65
Engraved Memorial Candles: $200

Please note: Mass intentions cannot be accepted by the parish more than a full year from the current date of your request. A member of the parish staff will contact you to confirm your request!

Whenever a priest celebrates Mass, he has at least two specific intentions.  The first intention is to celebrate the Mass according to what the rubrics that the Church was provided for how to say the Mass.  The second is to apply the grace of that Mass toward a specific need or intention. As to the first intention, a priest may find it helpful to  pray a traditional prayer while he is vesting, stating his intention to pray the Mass well. As to the second intention, commonly called “the intention of the Mass,” that intention is often announced in the parish bulletin at least one week before, and then it is sometimes also announced at Mass.

These special intentions are offered to God as prayers of intercession and thanksgiving. In and through the Eucharist, we pray for the deceased, for those who are ill, for those who face various difficulties or challenges. Often, people request a Mass in thanksgiving for God’s grace helping them through a particularly challenging time of life. It is important to note that, while the graces of the Mass being infinite, many intentions can be offered up at a single Mass. While a priest may only accept one intention at a single Mass, he may have many other intentions not attached to an offering. In addition, the faithful may bring their own intentions to the Mass, which they each carry privately and place upon the altar spiritually in prayer.