Mass cards
are used to commemorate the dead or to honor people for other reasons.
Catholics use Mass cards to commemorate the dead or to offer prayers for the souls of the living or the dead. Mass cards can be obtained from the sender's parish or, in some cases, by phone or online. Some religious communities, such as monasteries or convents, will also offer Mass cards. Mass cards can be sent in either paper or in electronic form. It is not necessary for either the sender or the recipient to be Catholic; however, it is typical for either one or the other to be of the Catholic faith.
Instructions
Contact a Parish or Religious Community in Person
1. Visit your local parish office. If you are Catholic, this office should be the parish office for the church you attend. Alternatively, you may contact the parish office of your local religious community or cathedral. Contact the recipient's parish if you are not Catholic and the recipient regularly attends a particular church.
2. Obtain a Mass card from the priest, parish secretary or gift shop. These cards may be obtained singly or in multiple-card boxes or packets.
3. Give a donation to the parish, the community or to the cathedral. The expected donation is usually a small one, but may be as large as the card-giver is moved to give. According to the Aquinas & More Catholic Goods website, religious communities may support themselves through Mass card donations.
4. Arrange a date and time for the Mass to be said. Depending on the pending requests for that church, community or cathedral, as well as on the number of masses that are said each day, there may be a significant wait before a Mass can be offered.
5. Fill out the card with the information from Step 4. Include the name of the individual offering the Mass, if known.
6. Send or give the card to the recipient after the Mass has been offered for the person for whom it is intended.
Purchase a Greeting Card
7. Purchase a greeting card from the desired location. This card may or may not be religious in nature.
8. Contact the parish office to make arrangements for the donation, the date and the time for the Mass to be offered. The parish office or religious community does not need to approve the selected card.
9. Fill out the card with the appropriate information and send the card.
Contact a Parish or Religious Community Online or On the Phone
10. Choose the parish or religious community you feel is most similar to the recipient's own parish or community if that parish or community is not online. Contact that church or a religious community online.
11. Select the card style and intention. Fill out the required information requested on the website.
12. Make a donation using a credit card online or by mailing a check or money order. The website will usually provide selections for "suggested donations"; however, it may be possible to donate more or less based on your need or desire.
13. Make arrangements for the date and time of the Mass. Request that a paper card be sent either to you or directly to the recipient after the Mass has been said. Alternatively, arrange for an electronic card be sent to the recipient after the Mass has been said.
