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

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

WEDNESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

✚Solemnity

Liturgical Color: White

General Intercessions for WEDNESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

Option 1

1.For the Church, that she may walk beside those journeying away from faith as Christ walked beside the two disciples on the road — patient, attentive, opening the scriptures until the heart burns, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders who are walking in discouragement — convinced that hope has been crucified — may encounter the Risen Christ on the road and be turned back toward Jerusalem, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who have walked away from the Church, dejected and disappointed by what they witnessed there, that the Risen Christ may join them on their road and be recognised before they reach their destination, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may ask: were not our hearts burning? — and follow that burning wherever the Risen Christ leads us in this Easter season, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be the place where the stranger is welcomed at table, where bread is broken, and where Christ is recognised — so that people run back to tell what they have seen, 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 always be the community that says to the weary traveller: stay with us, for it is evening — making room at the table for all who need the warmth of the Risen Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those in authority may listen to the people walking in discouragement rather than dismissing their grief, knowing that the road to Emmaus begins with honest conversation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those in our families and communities who have grown cold in their faith, that this Easter season may be the moment the stranger on the road speaks to something still alive in them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may invite the Risen Christ to stay with us this week — in prayer, in the Eucharist, in scripture — and find our hearts set alight by His presence, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community that runs back from every encounter with the Risen Christ eager to share what it has found, drawing others into the same discovery, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For a spirit of Easter joy and witness in our homes and neighbourhoods.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 walk beside every woman in a crisis pregnancy as Christ walked beside the disciples — without judgment, opening a word of hope they had not heard before, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may not walk away from their duty to protect the unborn — turning back, as the disciples turned back, once they have encountered the truth, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For women already on the road toward an abortion clinic, walking in fear and isolation, that the Risen Christ may join them on that road today and open a door they do not yet know is there, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be the voice that joins someone on their road this week — listening before speaking, walking alongside before offering an answer, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community where no one has to walk the hardest roads alone — and where the table is always set for the mother who arrives at the door, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who staff pregnancy support centres, that the Emmaus patience of listening and walking alongside may mark all they do.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"?