What are general intercessions for daily Mass?

General intercessions, also known as prayers of the faithful or universal prayers, are prayers offered during Catholic Mass where the congregation prays for the needs of the Church, the world, the suffering, and the local community. They are called "general" because they address universal concerns rather than specific individual requests.

How are general intercessions different from prayers of the faithful?

General intercessions and prayers of the faithful are actually the same thing. "General intercessions" emphasizes their universal nature, while "prayers of the faithful" emphasizes who offers them - the baptized faithful. Both terms refer to the same liturgical element of the Mass.

When are general intercessions prayed during Mass?

General intercessions are prayed during the Liturgy of the Word, after the homily and Creed (if said). They conclude the Liturgy of the Word before the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the Preparation of the Gifts.

Who writes the general intercessions for daily Mass?

Our general intercessions are written by Giuseppe Njualem, a seminarian at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ontario, following the guidelines of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and with input from theology students and experienced clergy.

Understanding General Intercessions for Daily Mass

General intercessions, also known as the "Prayer of the Faithful" or "Universal Prayer," are an essential part of the Catholic Mass where the congregation joins together to pray for the needs of the Church and the world. These intercessions are called "general" because they address universal concerns that affect all Catholics and humanity as a whole.

📖 How to Use These General Intercessions

1. Choose Your Option: Browse the available intercession options for today's Mass.

2. Download PDF: Click "Download PDF" to get a formatted copy for your lector or liturgy coordinator.

3. Edit if Needed: Use "Edit" to customize intercessions for your parish's specific needs.

4. Browse Other Dates: Use the calendar to access intercessions for any date throughout the year.

General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Thursday, April 3, 2025

GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION

·Good Friday

Liturgical Color: Red

General Intercessions for GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION

Option 1

1.For the Church, that on this most solemn day she may stand beneath the Cross without flinching, contemplating the love that endured the Passion for every person who has ever lived, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders may contemplate the innocent One condemned by political cowardice and the cry of the crowd, and be moved to protect the innocent rather than sacrifice them for convenience, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For all who are dying today, especially those dying alone without comfort, that Christ who cried out in desolation from the Cross may be present to them in their final hour, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may receive from the Cross this day the words Christ spoke from it — behold your mother, behold your son — and be bound to one another in a love that does not abandon, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may keep these sacred hours in true contemplation of the Passion, leaving this place genuinely changed by what we have beheld, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For our sick, bereaved, and all who have asked for our prayers.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that she may glory only in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and never be ashamed to be known as the community of the crucified, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who exercise judicial and political power may never sacrifice an innocent person to appease popular opinion, as Pilate sacrificed Christ to appease the crowd, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For all who bear the cross of chronic illness, disability, or unrelenting suffering, that they may know their pain is taken up into the very Passion of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may venerate the Cross today not merely with lips and gesture but with the devotion of one who knows: by these wounds I am healed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish, having knelt before the Cross, may rise from this day committed to carrying it more faithfully through the ordinary days of the year, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a deeper contemplation of Christ's sacrifice and its meaning for our lives.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may stand beneath the Cross on this day and proclaim without equivocation: every life is redeemed by this blood, every unborn child included, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may contemplate today the innocent One condemned by legal decree, and refuse to enact or uphold laws that condemn the unborn to the same fate, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For unborn children under sentence of abortion — condemned in the quiet of a private decision as Christ was condemned before dawn — that God may raise up a defender for each one before it is too late, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may stand with the innocent on this day as Mary stood at Calvary: without running, without denial, and without shame, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be known as a community that does not look away from what is done to the unborn, as those who remained at Calvary did not look away, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who work in pregnancy centres and crisis support, bearing the weight of this Good Friday work throughout the year.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

About Our General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Our general intercessions are carefully written by Giuseppe Njualem, a seminarian at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ontario. Each set of intercessions follows the guidelines established by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and is crafted with input from theology students and experienced clergy.

📅 Liturgically Accurate

Every intercession is crafted to reflect the specific liturgical season, rank, and saint of the day, ensuring theological accuracy and seasonal appropriateness.

🌍 Universally Focused

Our general intercessions address the four traditional categories: Church needs, world concerns, those in distress, and local community intentions.

📝 Ready to Use

Each option is formatted for immediate use by lectors and can be downloaded as a professional PDF for easy printing and reading during Mass.

✏️ Customizable

Edit any intercession to address your parish's specific needs while maintaining the theological structure and universal focus of general intercessions.

BiddingPrayers.com

Understanding General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Why "General Intercessions" vs "Prayers of the Faithful"?