Author Topic: Masses for Michael Jackson? (Read 995 times)

Alex · « **on:** July 08, 2009, 04:51:05 PM »

Would a trad priest think me worldly or feel disgusted at me if I pay a stipend to have a Mass said for Michael Jackson? Maybe he would think the Mass would be better offered for a person who deserves it more.

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2009, 10:41:05 PM »

I'm not sure.

It might be a matter of "the priest couldn't announce it publicly" in the case of a notorious non-Catholic. In other words, it might be like giving a Catholic burial.

Matthew

Alex · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2009, 10:57:10 PM »

Quote from: ChantCd

In other words, it might be like giving a Catholic burial.

Matthew

Does this mean that we can't have a Mass said for a non-Catholic? It wouldn't make sense not to be able to offer a Mass for a non-Catholic because maybe they got a last second conversion before death and they are now in Purgatory.

Matthew · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2009, 12:23:36 AM »

That's why I said I'm not sure.

As far as I know, priests don't announce who they are saying Mass for anyhow, so there wouldn't be any issue of scandal, etc.

And it's true that Mass can be offered privately for any soul.

I've never come across that question before, but the more I think about it, the more I say it would be fine.

Though it's true that charity should extend to those of the household of the Faith, and family members, before those in the general public at large. That's just a general principle though -- it certainly doesn't mean we can't show charity to a random stranger. (Though it might very well mean those in your family are already taken care of. If you had a sister who was starving, you'd do well to take care of her before a stranger who was just as starving -- if you had to choose, of course)

Matthew