Intentions

 Have you ever heard, "Today's Mass is being offered for the intentions of ...."?

What does that mean?

This is an ancient custom.  It's a way of directing everyone's prayers toward some good for which we earnestly desire to pray.  The Mass can be offered for someone who needs help, for peace between nations, or for any other good intention that is pleasing to God and upholds his glory.

If you look at the bulletin of the parish, you will see the Mass intentions. When you attend a Mass offered for a particular intention, you should do your best to offer your own prayers for that intention.  That way the whole congregation, united in one prayerful body by Holy Communion, will be offering the same prayer intentions together.