Catholics - what does this mean?

[BarefootScientist]

I got a card on Christmas that says this:

As a Christmas gift you and your intentions will be remembered in a solemn novena of Masses December 25th to January 2nd to be celebrated in the Holy Land!

Can someone translate please?

Thanks!

[carmel23]

It basically means that someone is praying for you and your intentions during Mass for the period of time indicated on the card.

[LynnS6]

Someone will be praying for you during 9 masses (novena = 9 days of prayer, or 9 sets sometimes, but usually it's 9 days).

[BarefootScientist]

Originally Posted by carmel23

It basically means that someone is praying for you and your intentions during Mass for the period of time indicated on the card.

What is my "intention?" Does that word have the same meaning as in normal English? Are they praying for anything specific or just a "you are in our prayers" kind of thing?

Thanks for your answers!

[mykdsmomy]

Originally Posted by BarefootScientist

What is my "intention?" Does that word have the same meaning as in normal English? Are they praying for anything specific or just a "you are in our prayers" kind of thing?

Thanks for your answers!

I was always taught it meant that "your" intentions (your prayers/desires in your own heart) will be prayed for. For example.....If you have been praying for your sick aunt.....then the prayers/novena that is said will go towards your aunt....(if that makes sense). While they don't "know" what your intentions are, God does, er go ...the prayers get to Him.....
I hope that makes some sense.....

[BarefootScientist]

Originally Posted by mykdsmomy

I was always taught it meant that "your" intentions (your prayers/desires in your own heart) will be prayed for. For example.....If you have been praying for your sick aunt.....then the prayers/novena that is said will go towards your aunt....(if that makes sense). While they don't "know" what your intentions are, God does, er go ...the prayers get to Him.....
I hope that makes some sense.....

That makes great sense. Thank you.

[lilyka]

What a sweet gift.

Is this something is done by way of donation to the church? or do you just ask for it.

[mykdsmomy]

Originally Posted by lilyka

What a sweet gift.

Is this something is done by way of donation to the church? or do you just ask for it.

My uncle gives us a card every year. This year it was from Saint Lawrence Seminary in WI. Here is what the website says:

"Every seminarian remembers the benefactors in morning and evening prayer each day and in every Eucharist celebrated at the Seminary because you have given them a gift beyond price and beyond compare—the gift of their four years at Saint Lawrence Seminary. It is a gift for which they will be forever grateful."

So basically when you donate to a seminary or even an order of nuns/monks/etc, you will often get Christmas or Easter cards

[JMJ]

Originally Posted by lilyka

Is this something is done by way of donation to the church? or do you just ask for it.

Kinda both. It is customary to make a donation when asking for masses to be said for a specific intention, but the prayers for you are a free gift, not something that is paid for. If you were to ask for prayers for your intention without leaving a donation, the prayers would likely be said anyway. As mykdsmomy said, many religious orders and organizations routinely pray for the intentions of their benefactors.

[cagnew]

That is an awesome gift, even if you are not Catholic. Catholics believe that Mass is the highest form of prayer in the Church, and it is very powerful. To have a priest offer a Mass for you is an honor If you do not believe in the Cathlic Church, you can still appreciate the wonderful gesture of the gift-giver who has given you what they consider the highest gift. Someone must love you

[BarefootScientist]

Originally Posted by cagnew

That is an awesome gift, even if you are not Catholic. Catholics believe that Mass is the highest form of prayer in the Church, and it is very powerful. To have a priest offer a Mass for you is an honor If you do not believe in the Cathlic Church, you can still appreciate the wonderful gesture of the gift-giver who has given you what they consider the highest gift. Someone must love you