Gregorian Massess

Other Important Information

The following are frequently asked questions regarding the Gregorian Masses:

Please read the answer to this question here

What is the origin of Gregorian Masses?

The custom of conducting the Gregorian Masses dates back to the time of Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604) who performed this series of masses for Justus, a monk in his monastery. The monk did not obey his poverty vows properly so after death he had to undergo purgatory.  St. Gregory ordered to sacrifice Holy Mass every day for 30 consecutive days with only one intention i.e saving his soul. Thanks to the sacrifice of these masses, Justus was released from purgatory on the day the last Holy Mass was celebrated.  Based on this event, a series of Holy Masses sacrifice daily for 30 consecutive days for someone who has passed away is called the Gregorian Masses because it was first performed on the orders of St. Gregory the Great, and then this practice spread widely among the faithful.

Why I have never heard of the Gregorian Mass?

The observance of the Gregorian masses for the dead became popular during the time of Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604).  The habits that spread throughout Europe and in various Religious Orders faded after the Protestant Reformation that do not believe in the existence of purgatory. On top of that, the conditions for the implementation of this sacred habit are also not easy, namely the sacrifice of the mass must be done in one a series of one mass every day for 30 consecutive days with only one intention for each mass, namely praying for the salvation of one soul people died. Performing this habit is more difficult in the area where a priest serves a very large number of people like in big cities. These things make the Gregorian Masses not very well known. 
But the love of Catholics for holy souls (souls in purgatory) is slowly reviving this sacred custom.  In various countries, religious institutions and groups have emerged that help the faithful to observe the Gregorian Mass.  And in Indonesia, the Manete In Me Group seeks to introduce this sacred custom of the Gregorian Masses and help the faithful to do it to help souls in purgatory.

Does this Mass approve by the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church?

Gregorian Mass was initiated by Pope St. Gregory the Great who was part of the church hierarchy at that time. Furthermore, the Church has also approved this sacred custom by stating: "The offering of the Gregorian Mass has a special ability to obtain faster deliverance from God for the suffering soul and this is a sacred and true belief of the faithful." (Holy Congregation for Indulgences March 15, 1884; August 24, 1888; January 14, 1889)

Does the Gregorian Mass have to be sacrificed as a Requiem Mass or in Latin?

The Gregorian Mass does not have to be celebrated in the form of a Requiem Mass or in Latin. Basically, the Gregorian Mass is the sacrifice of holy mass just like the daily holy mass only  This Mass has only one intention:  the salvation of the soul of one person who dies and is carried out for 30 consecutive days.

Get the intention of the Gregorian Mass combined with the intention of the death of a family member  another?

No, because  each mass in the Gregorian Mass series must be offered with one intention, namely for the salvation of the soul of one person who died.

The Gregorian Mass should be held for 30 consecutive days as far as possible. If the priest who holds the mass series is unable to do so, then he can ask another fellow priest to perform mass with the intention of saving the soul that is prayed for on that day.  However, if mass cannot be performed due to reasonable obstacles (eg illness) and there is no substitute priest, then the celebration of the series of Masses can be resumed as soon as the priest concerned can return to duty.

If the Gregorian Mass celebrations are interrupted, does the Priest have to repeat the Mass celebrations from the beginning?

According to the Congregation of Divine Worship (CDW) February 24, 1967, if a priest who has agreed to perform a series of Gregorian Masses is unable to do so on a certain day (for example due to illness or other plausible reasons: such as a funeral or wedding) and does not get a replacement priest so the celebration of Gregorian Masses is interrupted then the priest can resume it as soon as he can return to duty without having to repeat or restart the Gregorian Mass from the beginning.

Can a series of Gregorian Masses be celebrated for a person who has passed away for a  long time?

The Gregorian Masses can still be celebrated for people who have died for a long time because basically, this series of masses aims to help their souls to be immediately united with God in heaven. The sooner the Gregorian Mass is celebrated for one soul is the better although the power of the Gregorian Mass as a plea for God's grace and mercy to free the soul who is prayed for will not diminish with the time lag between the celebration of the Gregorian Mass and the death of the soul being prayed for.

What if the soul of the person we are praying for is not in purgatory but is already in heaven?

Please read the answer to this question here.

The Gregorian Mass can only be celebrated for those who have passed away.  However, you can request that the Gregorian Mass be celebrated for you after you die by making a will to your heirs or you can also order the Gregorian Mass directly to the group that can help to sacrifice the masses.

The Manete In Me group assists in the celebration of the Gregorian Mass by accepting requests for mass from the congregation and scheduling its implementation with priests affiliated with our group, especially priests who currently study in Jakarta, priests who serve in seminaries, serve in difficult areas, or who are in retirement age.  By celebrating the Gregorian Mass through us, you are directly helping these priests with your stipend. 
We assist the priests and ensure that the Gregorian Mass is conducted as requested and completed on schedule by helping to find a substitute priest if the assigned priest cannot celebrate the mass as well as support in other administrative matters.