Q: I have a question. I have never dealt with this issue before but I am seeing a trend with some folks in my Parish when they make a request for a mass intention. I noticed one man made a request and requested the words Mass Intention for the ” Most Forgotten Souls in Purgatory.” Do you have any kind of guidelines or put parameters on how the request for mass intentions work? I don’t want bad theology to creep in. I could see agendas or bad theology creep in.
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A: Here’s a previous post on my blog: https://paulturner.org/guidelines-for-mass-intentions/
I’ve heard of that particular intention before, and I think it represents a well-meaning sentiment. God does not forget souls, but humans do, as families die out. It’s meant to pick up slack for someone who has no one left to pray for them. It’s probably OK.