Mass Intention Policy

Offering a Mass for a special intention is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church. It is usually considered that special graces are obtained for whom the Mass is said. Masses are offered for many reasons; for the souls in purgatory or in remembrance for someone who is deceased, or someone who is ill or having a special occasion.

Per Canon Law and the Diocesan Synod, Corpus Christi is only allowed to schedule as many Masses as it is able to satisfy in a year (12 month period).

A Mass Intention may be set for:

1. A deceased loved one
2. A living person who is sick or suffering
3. A living person who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special moment in their life;
4. In thanksgiving to God (including the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit);
5. In thanksgiving for a favor granted through the intercession of a Blessed or a Saint;
6. For a prayer intention (so long as the intention does not contradict Church teaching)

 
A Mass Intention may not be set for:
 

1. An unknown or "private" intention;
2. A prayer intention that contradicts Catholic moral doctrine

 
Corpus Christi will allow "one Mass, per Intention, no matter the donor".  (For example: one Mass for "+John Doe" will be allowed in a given month, no matter the donor).  Monies for Masses "to be scheduled" will not be accepted and kept at the office.

We allow up to two named people per intention, or an intention for a family.
 

• Mass Intentions may be requested for Sundays, most holidays and weekdays throughout the Year.
• One Mass every Sunday must be scheduled by the Pastor for the intentions of our parishioners known as “Pro Populo” (for the people) as required by Canon Law and diocesan statute.

Mass Intentions are published monthly on the prayer board located in the upper gathering space of the church and weekly in the Sunday bulletin. Mass Intentions are a personal donation, but the suggested amount for the Diocese of Bismarck is $10. This signifies the sacrificial nature of giving of something of yourself to associate more intimately with Christ who offers himself in the Eucharist.

The names of deceased parishioners for whom a Mass is offered are announced at Mass as part of the Prayers of the Faithful where we pray for the dead.  If the person for whom the Mass is offered is still living, the Mass is offered for them, but their name will not be announced.

Beginning in January of 2024, a "Collective Intention" will be available. When a Collective Intention is offered, up to five intentions will be collectively offered at a single Mass by one celebrant. At Corpus Christi, Collective Intentions are intended for emergency intentions or for the recently deceased. A donor can only schedule on a collective intention once. In the bulletin, the group intention will be listed as "Collective Intention" while on the posted Mass Calendar and the priest's calendar, each intention will be listed and announced individually as normal.

The Mass Intention calendar for Corpus Christi is full for 2023. If you would like an intention prior to that, there are options available. Upon completion of the Rectory Chapel, private Mass Intentions will be available. These Masses are not open to the public and particular dates cannot be requested. The Masses will be offered as the priests' schedule allows and the donor will be notified of the date the Mass was offered. The Diocese of Bismarck also accepts Mass Intentions that are offered by the retired priests.

If you would like to have a Mass said for someone, you can stop in the Parish Office and the receptionist will help you with the dates and times that are available.  

You can also request a Mass Intention online by clicking on the link below and adding your intention. You will receive a response from the parish office with available dates within 24 hours or the next business day after your submission. 
 

Mass Intention Submission

If you would like to schedule a Mass Intention online, please click on the picture below:

                                           

For additional information or to talk to someone in person about your mass intention, please stop by the parish office or call us at (701) 255-4600 and we would be happy to assist you.