Vatican Issues New Decree on Mass Intentions and Collective Offerings

VATICAN CITY, April 14, 2025 — The Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy, with approval from Pope Francis, issued a new decree on April 13 that revises the norms governing Mass intentions and clarifies the use of collective offerings. The updated rules, which come into effect from Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, apply to all dioceses and clergy worldwide and aim to reinforce the spiritual integrity of the Eucharist and restore trust in the Church’s stewardship of donations.

The decree builds on the 1991 document Mos iugiter and existing canon law and emphasises that while the faithful may continue to offer stipends for Masses to be celebrated according to specific intentions, this sacred tradition must remain free of any semblance of commercial exchange. The decree reaffirms the value of such offerings as a form of spiritual participation and support for the Church's mission.

A key focus of the decree is the regulation of “collective intentions”, where multiple faithful contribute stipends for a single Mass. The document now mandates that such intentions are permissible only if donors are clearly informed in advance and give their explicit, free consent. Additionally, the decree limits the frequency of such Masses, maintaining the essential link between each offering and an individual Eucharistic celebration.

The decree also categorically prohibits replacing promised Masses with general mentions during liturgies, deeming such substitutions gravely illicit. The Dicastery emphasises the need to uphold justice for the faithful and prevent any practices resembling simony.

To ensure compliance, bishops are instructed to educate the faithful on the new norms, closely monitor their implementation, and maintain thorough records of all intentions and associated offerings. Transparency, pastoral responsibility, and accountability form the backbone of the updated regulations.

In a strong gesture of pastoral care, the decree urges priests to celebrate Masses for the poor even without stipends. It also allows diocesan bishops to redistribute excess intentions to mission territories or parishes in need, reinforcing the universal mission of the Church.

Through this new decree, the Holy See seeks to renew fidelity to the Church’s long-standing tradition, protect the sanctity of the Eucharist and strengthen the faithful’s trust in the Church’s spiritual and administrative practices.

Courtesy: Vatican News