Faq

Have your questions answered about enrolments, Mass arrangements or confirmations. If you do not find an answer to your question here, please contact us.

ABOUT ARRANGING MASSES
Who says the Mass when I arrange it through the FOSS website?

The FOSS website links to Aid to the Church in Need Australia. ACN then arranges for the Mass to be offered by a priest in need. 100% of the Mass offering or stipend goes to the support of poor or persecuted clergy.

Do I have to arrange my FOSS Mass through the FOSS website?

No, you don’t have to arrange your FOSS Mass through our FOSS website. If you would like ACN to arrange the Mass but you don’t want to use the website, please contact us. If you would prefer, you can ask any Catholic priest to offer a Mass “for the holy souls, especially the deceased members of FOSS”. You will also need to confirm your Mass separately at ‘Confirm a Mass’ (https://fossnovena.com/confirm-mass).

Do I have to confirm my FOSS Mass if I arrange it through the website?

No, if you arrange your Mass through this website you don’t also need to confirm it.

Does the Mass have to be said on the allotted day?

No, the FOSS Mass doesn’t have to be offered on the allotted day (usually a birthday or anniversary). When you arrange a Mass through Aid to the Church in Need, the Mass intention is given to a poor priest who will say the Mass when he is able. The Mass is recorded as being offered on your allotted day so the connection will always remain.

Will it interrupt the novena if my Mass is not said on the allotted day?

No, with over 40,000 members there are many FOSS Masses offered every day.

Do I have to know the day the Mass is said?

No, you don’t have to know the day on which the Mass is said. When you arrange your Mass through Aid to the Church in Need, you won’t know the exact date but the important thing is that the Mass is offered on your behalf for the holy souls.

ABOUT YOUR REGISTRATION
Once I am registered does my name stay on the FOSS Register?

Yes, your name will stay on the FOSS Active Register as long as you arrange (and confirm) one Mass each year. This Register is never made public because it includes many living individuals.

What happens if I pass away?

When a member passes away, their name is transferred to the Perpetual Register and they become perpetual members of FOSS. From the moment of their death, they will be especially remembered at every FOSS Mass around the world which is offered “for the holy souls, especially the deceased members of FOSS.”

How will you know if I have died?

It is important that you inform a family member or close friend that you would like FOSS to be notified when you pass away. You can download an example proforma that you are free to use.

What happens to my third party members if I pass away?

When FOSS is informed of your passing, ALL your third party members are also transferred to the Perpetual Register (whether they are living or deceased).

What happens if no one informs FOSS of my death?

If no one informs FOSS of your passing, you will eventually be removed from the FOSS Register. This DOESN’T MEAN you lose the spiritual benefits of being a FOSS member. God knows everything and He knows our hearts. He distributes the graces of every Mass and He knows that you are a deceased member of FOSS, even if you are not written in the Perpetual Register. Thankfully, our administrative oversights can never limit His blessings!

ABOUT ENROLLING OTHER MEMBERS
Who can I enrol as a third party member?

You can enrol anyone as a third party FOSS member as long as you are willing to arrange a Mass each year on their behalf on account of the membership of that person. You simply take on the responsibilities of membership for the person you have enrolled.

Does the person I have enrolled need to know?

No, the person you have enrolled doesn’t need to know that they are now a member of FOSS. Just as you don’t need to tell someone you are praying for them, you don’t need to tell them you are arranging a Mass on their behalf. Some people like to tell their members but others do not.

Does the third party member need to be Catholic or Christian?

No, the person you have enrolled doesn’t need to be Catholic, Christian, to believe in Purgatory or the power of the Mass. We can and should pray for everyone, especially for those who do not believe or are far from God.

OTHER QUESTIONS
What is the relationship between FOSS and ACN?

In 2020, after forty years, the chairman and founder of FOSS Benedict Forshaw retired and entrusted the work of the FOSS novena to Aid to the Church in Need Australia.

ACN Australia financially supports the FOSS novena as part of its effort to promote spiritual works of mercy and to serve and pray for the suffering Church, including the suffering souls in Purgatory who are our brothers and sisters.