The Holy Mass is the greatest possible prayer of intercession insofar as it is the perfect offering of Christ to the Father. It makes present Jesus’ gift of his life, death, and resurrection. Thus, no better prayer can be offered for someone than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
It is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church for people to ask a priest to offer a Mass for the intentions of others both living and dead. Since 1581, the Jesuits in the Philippines have offered Masses for the dearly departed at the request of their loved ones. Since its foundation in 1950, the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association has offered Mass cards as keepsakes for Masses celebrated for the intention of the recipient if living or for their eternal repose if deceased. The donations received through these Mass cards have supported the formation of Jesuits from the Novitiate to ordination and through studies.
A Mass card is given to someone to let them know that they, or a deceased loved-one, will be remembered and prayed for during a Mass.
The faithful generally make an offering or donation for the Mass card. By their generosity, they associate themselves with Christ who offers himself completely for us in the Mass. The donation also shows gratitude for the priest celebrant, helps support ministries and apostolic works, and provides for the long years of formation of those preparing to be priests and brothers.
The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola are a structured set of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices designed to deepen one’s relationship with God. Developed by St Ignatius in the 16th century, they were written up as a guide for spiritual directors who would lead individuals through a 30-day retreat, but they have since been adapted for shorter retreats. They are a key text that expresses Ignatian spirituality, a Christian approach to God. The Exercises focus on bringing the retreatant to a heightened awareness of God’s presence in one’s life, fostering spiritual growth, and helping to discern God’s will.
Houses of Spiritual Exercises are retreat centers designed to facilitate meaningful encounters with God in the tradition of Ignatian spirituality. These houses provide a peaceful and quiet environment that fosters reflection, prayer, and spiritual growth, often emphasizing silence and solitude as essential for prayer. Retreatants are typically guided by trained spiritual directors, Jesuits and others, who help them navigate the Ignatian practices central to the exercises.
