What is a Healing Mass?
A healing Mass is a normal Mass, with a particular focus on asking God for healing. For example, the homily or the songs may relate to healing or the activity of the Holy Spirit. To illustrate, during a healing Mass at St. Mary of Sorrows on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in 2008, the homily included teaching on Baptism and its relation to the Holy Spirit. During the homily on Pentecost 2008, the priest taught about what happened on Pentecost in the early Church, and how we can experience Pentecost like the early Church. In that homily the priest encouraged us to be open to the Holy Spirit every day, and as an example gave a brief history of the Charismatic Renewal starting when Pope Leo XIII prayed for the Holy Spirit to be poured out at the dawn of the 20th century. The singing at Mass may be lively, for example at St. Mary of Sorrows, the Alleluia before the Gospel is a somewhat longer that at most Masses, and people are encouraged to clap or sing with uplifted hands. Most importantly, the priest encourages us to pray with great faith when receiving Holy Communion. At that moment Jesus, the Healer, is with us in the closest way. During the Eucharist, Jesus comes to us. He healed people in the Bible with His touch and He can do the same today.After Mass, there may be a time where people briefly speak about experiences of healing. There may also be time for individual prayer ministry when those who desire may pray with the priest or others through whom God has healed people before. While waiting, people usually sing praise and worship songs. People may also prophesy and pray in tongues. Some will rest in the Spirit by falling gently to the floor. When one rests in the Spirit, they are experiencing God's love in a powerful, direct way. Catchers accompany the prayer ministry team to catch anyone who might fall. Resting in the Spirit is not necessary for people to receive healing, and God never forces people to do this, however it does happen and the people who rest do report it being a strong experience of being immersed in God. This part of the evening is clearly not the Mass, but rather a time of prayer, so the format may vary from one place to another.
A Mass for healing the family tree is offered on the third Monday of the month at 7:30pm at St. Mary of Sorrows.
The Arlington Healing Ministry also holds a monthly Mass followed by individual prayer for healing.
Here are some homilies from healing Masses at St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax.
Healing of the Family
It is important to pray not only for ourselves, but for others, especially our family. Masses are offered for healing of the family. We can pray for disorders and diseases that follow through generations in families to be healed.An article about Healing of the Family Tree with insights from Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI).
Another article about why we should pray for the healing of our family.
IFM Fellowship is a Christian youth based fellowship that brings together more than 60 youth to learn, praise,worship and glorify Jesus Christ in their life.
