Votive Mass

A votive Mass (Latin missa votiva, from Latin votum vow, wish, concern ) is in the liturgy of the Catholic Church, a Holy Mass, the deviating a special occasion with a special intention of the exhibition and with our own on the particular day of the church year is celebrated liturgical texts.

The oldest form of votive Masses are the funeral liturgies, is where praying in a special way for the salvation of the deceased. Another typical cause for a votive Mass is the highlight of a particular mystery of faith - as in honor of the Holy Spirit or the Heart of Jesus. In addition, there are also votive Masses in honor of saints out of their anniversaries, bridal fairs, requiems, Holy Mass to celebrate the passing of the perpetual profession or upon receipt of the virginal consecration.

Is already in late antiquity - Forms for votive Masses are already found in the Sacramentary Leonianum from the 7th century - the votive Masses gained from the early Middle Ages to the faithful in popularity because this church a special "effectiveness" attributed. After initially greater design freedom in votive Masses were formed only since the end of the Middle Ages the exact rules out.

To the looming blackout of the church year to counteract the expansion of votive Masses, took the Missal of 1570 restrictions before. Currently, a distinction is made between:

• Ritual Fairs ( Missae rituales ) in connection with the administration of sacraments and sacramentals certain
• Fairs and prayers for special concern for the Church, for the state and society, public and special concerns,
• Fairs for the dead.