What is a Healing Mass?

A healing Mass is a normal Mass, but the homily or the songs may make a connection to healing or the activity of the Holy Spirit.  For example during a healing Mass at St. Mary of Sorrow's 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 today in our own lives. In that homily the priest encouraged us to be open to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, and as an example gave a brief history of the spread 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 tend be more lively, for example at St. Mary of Sorrow's, the Alleluia before the Gospel is a little 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 as He did the people described in the Bible who were healed just by His touch.

After Mass, there may be a time where people speak very briefly about their experiences of healing.  There may also be time for individual prayer ministry when those who desire may pray with the priest.  While waiting, people may sing praise and worship songs. People may also pray in tongues and prophesy.  Some will rest in the Spirit by falling gently to the floor while experiencing in a powerful way that God loves them very much. Someone is there to catch people resting in the Spirit. 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 Healing Mass is offered the second Saturday of every month at 7pm at St. Mary of Sorrows, 5222 Sideburn Rd., Fairfax, VA.  After Mass, people give testimony of healings they have experienced, and all are invited to pray individually for healing as the priest and prayer team prays with people by the laying on of hands.

The Arlington Healing Ministry holds a monthly Mass followed by individual prayer for healing.