The Holy Eucharist is a profound mystery, the marvelous sacrifice of Jesus, who gives Himself fully to us in the form of bread and wine. It is the primary proclamation of the love of Christ. God’s love transforms bread into His Body and wine into His Blood, which is the ultimate nourishment for our soul and body. 

In this sacrifice, the altar is the meeting place where Jesus offers Himself up to His Father for our sake. When we offer Mass for our loved ones, friends, co-workers and the deceased, God showers blessings upon them!

We should pray and offer Masses for those who need it the most because the effects are beyond our understanding. The Holy Eucharist is the heart of the Gospel, which is the vitality of the missionary Church. 

Our spiritual mission consists of sharing God’s saving love with others. The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1324) 

Catholics are called to embrace the unity and universality of the Church. The missionary priests are counting on you and your assistance. The Church’s mission extends beyond earthly realities, and it requires heroic sacrifices for the poor. 

In rural villages, Masses will be offered every day by the mission priests without any special intention or stipend. Moreover, in the mission places, poor people expect help from the Church. Therefore, the priest always shares with his people what he has in the form of a money gift or other assistance. 

As part of this Christmas season, we invite you to offer Mass intentions through the Missions Office. 

“The celebration of the Eucharist is an action of Christ Himself and of the Church. In it, Christ the Lord, through the ministry of the priest, offers himself, substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine, to God the Father, and gives himself as spiritual nourishment to the faithful who are associated with him in his offering.” (Code of Canon Law 899 §1) 

Father Anthony Pasala, a parish priest at St. George’s Church, Bharara Kothagudem, Telangana, India, offers Mass.

Mass stipends are a critical means of support to these missionary priests in spreading the Gospel to areas yet untouched by it. In doing so, your Mass offering and stipend blessings will triple, benefitting the person for whom the Mass is offered, the missionary priest who will celebrate the Mass and people served by the missions. 

We can extend the Gospel message throughout the world by having a Mass said by a missionary priest for your loved ones and friends, living or deceased. We receive numerous requests for Mass stipends from many missionary priests. When you give the gift of a Mass, your loved ones and friends will receive a lovely Mass card as notification of your generous gift for them. Request your Mass intentions online at www.columbuscatholic.org//request-a-mass.

When you click this link, you will find a Gregorian Mass Online Form, Christmas Gift Mass Online Form and Regular Mass Stipend Form. 

The stipend is $10 per Mass. If you prefer to mail your Mass requests to us, click the link for the “Printable Mass Request Form.” Complete the form and mail it to us with your payment to: Missions Office, 197 E. Gay Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215-3229. 

We cannot arrange for Mass on a specific date; Masses are celebrated as soon as possible after offerings are received. You can include Mass offerings in your will by designating funds to the Diocese of Columbus, Missions Office, for Masses to be offered for you or your loved ones.

“It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without the Holy Mass.” (St. Padre Pio) The words of the saint echo the intensity of the Holy Mass. 

When we look back over the past 103 years of the mission office in our diocese, it is an impressive milestone. Right now, we are helping 48 missionary priests by sending Mass intentions and stipends through your generosity. 

Your generosity through these wonderful years has helped us reach and connect more deeply with overseas ministries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Mexico and our home dioceses across the country. 

We have extended our outreach to the most vulnerable in the name of Christ and have created resources for Catholics of all ages that will connect them to the greater world as they seek opportunities to witness their faith. We are so grateful for your ongoing financial and spiritual support.

We continue to strive to promote global missions by coordinating and managing the mission programs and collections in our diocese. “The Eucharist is the heart of the Church. Where Eucharistic life flourishes, there the life of the church will blossom.” (Pope St. John Paul II) 

Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Andhra Pradesh, India

Your part in our shared Church’s mission will be rewarded by God’s blessings both now and forever. It has been an honor and blessing for our diocese to cooperate with the worldwide missions of the Church.

We look forward to the new opportunities to grow as missionary disciples and living our Catholic faith. The missionaries are not alone because Christ is with them, and we accompany them with our constant prayers, sacrifices and selfless and generous contributions. 

When we become partakers of the missions in this way, we are also walking with missionaries to the ends of the earth!