Special Masses
  • ScapularScapular
    Posts: 8
    How many special Masses are there? By this I mean things like: "Papal Mass", "Easter Mass", "Christmas Mass", "Crisim Mass", "Wedding Mass", "Mass of the Holy Spirit", etc.

    My interest is in knowing that if there is are options to use that would elevate a week-day Mass for a special event with say a Mass of the Holy Spirit - and yes we have no expertise within 50 miles.

    Thanks!
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    It's not obvious, indeed.

    There are the various ritual Masses: Masses for the rites of confirmation, marriage, ordination, profession of religious vows, funerals, etc. Some of these (maybe all of them) are described in the respective rite books, not in the main Roman Missal book.

    There are several dozen votive Masses: in honor of the Holy Spirit, of the Sacred Heart, of the Holy Eucharist, of our Lady or other saints; or for particular needs (praying for rain, peace, a good harvest, respect for human life, the needs of the Church, etc.) Their texts are in the Roman Missal (plus there is an extra book of options for Masses of our Lady). Missal books for the laity usually include a selection of these, but not all.

    The USCCB website has a helpful page about votive Masses, which says: "These Masses may be prayed on open weekdays through the Church year." That means that in general they can be used only in Ordinary Time, on weekdays when there is no obligatory memorial, though for a serious reason it is possible to ease that restriction.

    Hope this helps.
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