Case 12. Trading in Masses

Caius, a priest, wrote to Titius, likewise a priest and the author of a theological book, and asked that a copy of the said book be sent to him. The author sent the book and at the same time wrote that the best manner of paying the price would be for Caius to celebrate five Masses, for he had more intentions than he could satisfy, and those five had already been in his hands for two months. Caius, however, doubts whether it is lawful for him to buy the book in this way; indeed, he thinks that Titius has offended against the decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Council of May 11, 1904. Hence it is asked:

1. How is it shown that it is lawful and honorable to accept stipends for Masses?

2. What did the Sacred Congregation of the Council determine on May 11, 1904, concerning the doubts to be treated in the case?

3. What is to be said of the case?

1. How is it shown that it is lawful to receive stipends or Masses?

The Mass is not sold for the stipend, but the priest undertakes to say a Mass for the intention of the person who asks for it. But it is only right and proper that one who occupies himself for the benefit of another, should receive his support or part of it from him for whose benefit he labors. A soldier fighting or training to do so for his country’s defence has a right to be supported meanwhile at his country’s expense. In the same way the stipend is given to the priest for his support by one who benefits spiritually by the priest’s celebration of Mass.

2. What did the S. C. C. decree May 11, 1904, bearing on the points in the case?

The decree S. C. C., Ut debita, contains the following: “ Almsgiving of the Mass can never be separated from the celebration of the Mass, nor be exchanged or diminished for other things, but must be handed over to the celebrant in full and in its own kind;” furthermore, “ to sell or buy books, sacred utensils or any other things and to enter into associations (as they call them) with newspapers and periodicals by means of Masses is unlawful and altogether prohibited. This, however, is valid not only if it is about Masses to be celebrated, but also about Masses already celebrated, whenever it passes into use and habit and tends to the benefit of some commerce.”

3. The case. Caius would seem to have interpreted the decree too strictly The decree indeed, forbids trading with stipends for Masses, and as a general rule prescribes that the whole stipend received for a Mass is to go to the priest who says the Mass. It is specially forbidden for booksellers to collect intentions for Masses and get them said by priests who receive books instead of the stipends. However, Titius did none of these things. He had some Masses to be said for stipends, and he was at liberty to ask Caius, if he knew him to be an honest priest, to say some of those Masses. Caius was indebted to Titius for the price of the book. It was lawful to square accounts without the necessity of sending money backwards and forwards. Fr. Lehmkuhl says: “Only if [a priest]

has surplus stipends not deliberately collected or who entrusts Masses to be celebrated to other priests with the right to the full stipends, but they, moved by another consideration, buy periodicals from him, it will be lawful to balance the account of what was given and received.”¹

1 Casus Conscientiae, vol. ii, n. 223.