by Brent Kostyniuk
When a loved one is gravely ill, or perhaps has passed away, we long to do whatever is possible to help them in this world, or the next. Out first inclination should be to pray for that person. However, often it seems as if our prayers are not enough. We want to do more. We want a stronger and more direct means of imploring God’s mercy. At those times, we often approach our pastor and request a Divine Liturgy be said for that person.
When I was growing up, I often heard my parents and relatives talk about “Buying a mass card.” Although I was an altar boy and had a reasonable understanding of my faith, I didn’t quite understand what this meant. I did recall a school catechism class (I attended a Catholic school in Edmonton) in which we were told about monks who, during the Middle Ages, sold indulgences. As well, these monks apparently sold religious medallions which were supposed to have almost magical powers of supernatural healing. Our class was told that these were sinful practices. Later, I learned this sinful practice was called simony.
The term simony comes from the biblical account of Simon Magnus:
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 8:18-19).
Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me” (Acts 20-24).
From the Catholic Encyclopaedia we see that, “Simony is usually defined ‘a deliberate intention of buying or selling for a temporal price such things as are spiritual or annexed unto spirituals.’ While this definition only speaks of purchase and sale, any exchange of spiritual for temporal things is simoniacal.”
Thus, it is very clear that it is sinful to sell or buy anything of a spiritual nature…including, of course, the Divine Liturgy. So how are we to reconcile this with “Buying a Mass card.” The answer is in intent. While we most likely approach a priest with the honourable intent of humbly asking that he offer a Divine Liturgy for a particular intention, we must be extremely careful we are not committing simony. We must understand we are asking the priest to pray, on our behalf, for another person. We cannot assume that because we have “bought a Mass card” the Lord will automatically bestow the blessing for which we are ask. That is simony.
A large part of this problem is that it is easy to fall into habit and routine, especially if it has been part of our lives from an early age. If our parents went to the parish office to buy a Liturgy card, we will probably do it also. Another part of the problem is that the Church often publishes rates for what are termed “Voluntary Offerings for Liturgical Celebrations.” Although these are intended as guidelines for the laity, they look a lot like a price list.
On the occasion of the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, sacraments (mysteries), sacramentals and other liturgical celebrations, the Christian faithful often inquiry as to whether a voluntary offering is appropriate in the performance of pastoral functions by the pastor and other clergy attached to the parish. The following is intended by way of guidelines to assist the faithful in responding to questions of voluntary offerings.
Divine Liturgy intention – regularly scheduled weekday $20.00
Divine Liturgy intention and Panakhyda – regularly scheduled weekday $20.00
Divine Liturgy intention – memorial or specially requested time $75.00
Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified intention – $20.00
Panakhyda (specially requested time and place) – $50.00
Sorokousty – $20.00
Easter Grave-side blessings (per family) – $20.00
Baptism – Donation
Baptismal Certificate (additional copy) – $10.00
Marriage (includes documentation, rehearsal and ceremony) – $300.00
Marriage Certificate (additional copy) – $10.00
Wedding Anniversary Blessing – $75.00
Funeral – $400.00
So, we are back to the matter of intent. If we truly believe in the value of prayer – as we should -then we must also believe that prayer comes from the heart, not the wallet. Also, there is nothing wrong with asking others to join us in prayer for a special intention. Many parish organizations have prayer circles or secret prayer partners. Asking a priest to pray for a special intention is also worthwhile, if it is done in the right spirit. Simply, we should ask the priest to offer a Divine Liturgy for the intention close to our heart. Then, if we can afford it, we can offer to make a donation to the parish, perhaps in the amount recommended. However, at no time should we link the donation to the request. Finally, if we are able, we should attend the Divine Liturgy which the priest is celebrating. In that manner, we are truly showing that we are sincere in our belief in the value of prayer.
