Hi Tami,

Thanks for the question.

You said:

• What is the purpose of sponsoring a Mass?

The purpose of sponsoring a Mass is to be an advocate, in your situation, for a loved one, that recently passed away, that the Lord be merciful when looking back at [his/her] life choices.

Jesus is Our Savior, but our life choices are not necessarily those he would make. Only we can be accountable for our choices.

You said:
My friend's son just passed away. Our group of friends are suggesting we sponsor several Masses for his parents, in his name but no one can seem to tell me what this means.

• Why would someone want to sponsor more than one Mass?

Because of the tremendous value of celebrating a Mass for him. Some priests may do this for free, but most ask for a small stipend: $10-$15. Obviously no priest is going to get rich saying Mass but Our Lord tells us in the Scriptures that, "a worker is worth his wage." (Luke 10:7)

You can also ask a nearby religious order to celebrate a set of Masses on a regular basis for your loved one. Whether one is a Catholic, or not, this is a great spiritual work of mercy to get into the habit of doing; one that the loved one will greatly appreciate.

I found the following from a very good article from the Catholic News.

On the importance of Holy Mass.

• At the hour of death the Holy Masses you have participated in devoutly will be your greatest consolation.
  
  
• Every Mass will go with you to Judgment and will plead for pardon for you.
  
  
• By every Mass you can diminish the temporal punishment due to your sins, more or less, according to your fervor.
  
  
• By devoutly assisting at Holy Mass you render the greatest homage possible to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord.
  
  
• Through the Holy Sacrifice, Our Lord Jesus Christ saves us from many of our negligences and omissions.
  
  
• He forgives us all the venial sins which we are determined to avoid.
  
  
• He forgives us of all unknown sins which we have never confessed.
  
  
• The power of Satan over us is diminished.
  
  
• By piously attending Holy Mass we afford the Souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief.
  
  
• Through Holy Mass we are preserved from many dangers and misfortunes which could otherwise befall us.
  
  
• We shorten our Purgatory by every Mass.
  
  
• Through the Holy Mass we are blessed in temporal goods and affairs.
  
  
• When we participate at Holy Mass devoutly, offering it to Almighty God in honor of any particular Saint or Angel, thanking God for the favors bestowed on us, etc., we afford that Saint or Angel a new degree of honor, joy and happiness, and draw his special love and protection on ourselves.
  
  
• Every time we assist at Holy Mass, besides other intentions, we should offer it in honor of the Saint of the day.

What Saints and well-known Catholic figures have said about the Mass.

"The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!"

Pope Paul VI

"For each Mass we hear with devotion, Our Lord sends a saint to comfort us at death."

A private revelation of Christ to St. Gertrude the Great

Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "Attend one Mass."

A private revelation from Our Lord to St. Teresa of Avila

The Blessed Virgin Mary once told Her faithful servant Alan: "My Son so loves those who assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that, if it were necessary He would die for them as many times as they've heard Masses."

A private revelation from the Blessed Mother to Blessed Alan de la Roche

"The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death."

Pope Benedict XV

A great doctor of the Church, St. Anselm, declares that a single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death.

St. Leonard of Port Maurice supports this statement by saying that one Mass before death may be more profitable than many after it.

St. Anselm of Canterbury and St. Leonard of Port Maurice

"When we receive Holy Communion, we experience something extraordinary — a joy, a fragrance, a well being that thrills the whole body and causes it to exalt."

"If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy."

"There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us."

"When we have been to Holy Communion, the balm of love envelops the soul as the flower envelops the bee."

Saint Jean Vianney

 

"The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross."

Saint Thomas Aquinas

"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass. "

St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), stigmatic priest

"The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. "

Saint Gregory the Great

"The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass."

St. Augustine of Hippo

"When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar."

St. John Chrysostom

I hope this helps,

Mike