[Q &A] Raising Envelopes for Blessing During Mass

Question by James Osei-Mensah:

My Lord, is it appropriate for priests to ask the congregation to lift their offertory envelopes or gifts to be “prayed over” during Mass, given that this practice is not prescribed in the Roman Missal and is considered contrary to the Church’s liturgical norms?

Answer by Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu:

In recent years, a growing practice has appeared in some Catholic parishes, particularly during Sunday liturgies and special thanksgiving Masses, where the priest invites the congregation to raise their envelopes or offertory gifts to be “prayed over” before placing them in the collection baskets. Although this practice may seem harmless or even pious, it is important to understand that it is not prescribed in the Roman Missal and does not belong to the authentic liturgical tradition of the Church. It is, therefore, il-liturgical—that is, contrary to the mind and norms of the Church regarding the celebration of the Holy Mass.

The Meaning and Purpose of the Offertory

The offertory, or the Presentation of the Gifts, is a profoundly symbolic and theological moment within the Mass. According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM, nos. 73-75), the faithful bring forward bread and wine, “the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands,” which will become the Body and Blood of Christ. These gifts, together with the faithful themselves, are spiritually united with Christ’s sacrifice on the altar. The offertory, then, is not simply a time for collecting money or donations, but an act of self-offering—an expression of our union with Christ’s redemptive sacrifice.

The monetary offerings collected during Mass are indeed significant. They represent the faithful’s contribution to the needs of the Church and the care of the poor. Yet, they are secondary and symbolic, not sacramental matter. They are not intended to be ritually blessed or lifted in the same way as the bread and wine. The priest’s liturgical prayers—“Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation…”—already include and sanctify the spiritual offering of the entire community, including their sacrifices, intentions, and material gifts.

The Problem with the “Envelope-Raising” Gesture

When priests ask the faithful to hold up their envelopes or lift their hands with their offerings to be prayed over, it creates a new ritual that the Church has not authorised. The Roman Missal gives no instruction for such a gesture, and it represents an addition to the liturgy, which is explicitly discouraged by the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 22 §3): “No one, not even a priest, may on his own authority add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy.”

Although the intention behind this practice is often good—seeking to bless the generosity of the faithful—it unintentionally alters the focus of the Mass. The offertory becomes centred on money rather than the Eucharistic sacrifice. The congregation’s attention is drawn to the material gift rather than the spiritual offering of Christ. This change in focus can subtly transform the liturgy from an act of divine worship into a moment that resembles a fundraising ritual or a prosperity prayer session.

Furthermore, such gestures risk fostering a commercial or transactional mentality towards divine blessings—suggesting, even if unintentionally, that by lifting or displaying their envelopes, the faithful are somehow presenting a material offering that will directly secure God’s favour. This notion contradicts the Church’s teaching that God’s grace is freely given and not dependent on the monetary value of one’s offering. As St. Peter reminds us, “You were ransomed… not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18–19).

The Proper Liturgical Practice

The Church’s liturgical norms provide a clear and beautiful structure for the Presentation of the Gifts. The faithful may bring their offerings in an orderly and reverent procession to the altar or place them in collection baskets that are later presented to the priest or deacon. The priest then places the bread and wine on the altar and offers the prescribed prayers of blessing. These prayers, though spoken over the bread and wine, encompass the entire offering of the Church—the prayers, labours, sufferings, and contributions of the faithful.

If a priest desires to thank or bless the congregation for their generosity, he can do so outside the offertory ritual itself. For example, he might offer a brief word of gratitude after the Post-Communion Prayer or include a general prayer for benefactors in the Prayer of the Faithful. At the end of Mass, he may give a general blessing for those who have contributed to the Church’s mission or a particular cause. These are legitimate and pastorally sensitive moments that respect the liturgical structure while still acknowledging the generosity of the people.

Theological Implications

The act of asking the faithful to lift their envelopes during Mass may seem minor, but it carries theological implications. It can blur the distinction between the sacrificial offering of Christ and the financial offering of the faithful. The bread and wine represent Christ himself—his self-offering for the salvation of the world. The envelopes and donations, by contrast, are expressions of charity and stewardship, not sacrificial elements. When both are treated in the same ritual manner, the faithful may come to confuse their meanings, weakening their understanding of the Eucharist as the central act of divine worship.

Moreover, this practice risks desacralising the liturgy by inserting humanly invented gestures that distract from the mystery being celebrated. The Church calls the priest to act in persona Christi—in the person of Christ the Head—offering the sacrifice of Calvary to the Father. His role is not to innovate or embellish the rite but to celebrate it faithfully according to the Church’s rubrics, allowing Christ himself to be the focus of worship.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the desire to invoke God’s blessing on the offerings of the faithful is good and sincere, the method of asking the congregation to raise their envelopes during Mass is not liturgically proper. It introduces an unauthorised gesture, shifts the focus away from the Eucharistic sacrifice, and risks confusing the faithful about the true meaning of the offertory.

The Mass is the supreme act of worship, centred entirely on the offering of Christ. Everything else—the readings, prayers, and even our material gifts—finds its meaning only in relation to that one perfect sacrifice. To preserve the beauty, order, and integrity of the sacred liturgy, priests and liturgical ministers must faithfully follow the Church’s directives, avoiding innovations that distract from the mystery of Christ’s presence and self-offering.

As Pope St. John Paul II wrote in Ecclesia de Eucharistia (§52): “No one is permitted to undervalue the mystery entrusted to our hands by introducing changes or adjustments at will.” In this spirit, let all our liturgical actions draw the faithful’s hearts away from material preoccupation and towards the profound mystery of love and self-giving that unfolds at every Eucharistic celebration.