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

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Saint Christopher Magallanes, priest, and companions, martyrs

Optional Memorial
Liturgical Color: Red

General Intercessions for Saint Christopher Magallanes and companions, martyrs

Option 1

1.That the Church, inspired by the courageous witness of St. Christopher Magallanes and his companions, may always defend religious freedom and the right to worship God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may protect all citizens from persecution and ensure that justice and peace prevail in their lands, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For all who suffer for their faith in Christ, especially in Mexico and other places of persecution, that they may persevere with the strength and joy of the martyrs, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may be willing to bear witness to Christ, even at the cost of our lives, trusting in His promise of eternal reward, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may be a place where faith is lived with courage and where all support those who suffer for the sake of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For the Church in Mexico and for an end to all religious persecution.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all martyrs who gave their lives for Christ the King may rejoice with St. Christopher Magallanes and his companions in heaven, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may be fearless shepherds, defending their flock from all who would seek to harm them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil authorities may uphold the fundamental human right to religious liberty for all people, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are tempted to abandon their faith due to fear or worldly pressure, that they may find strength in the example of these martyrs, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That our Easter faith may embolden us to cry out 'Viva Cristo Rey!' - Long live Christ the King! - in our lives and actions, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community of bold witnesses, unafraid to proclaim the kingship of Christ in all circumstances, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For our sick, bereaved, etc., special projects or events.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died for their faith may receive the crown of martyrdom and eternal glory with Christ the King, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Variations if Optional Memorial is not celebrated

Option 1

1.For all who believe through the witness of the apostles, that they may be brought to perfect unity — as Christ prayed: 'that they may all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you,' let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.For world leaders, that they may seek the unity and reconciliation of peoples, so that the world may believe that God has sent his Son, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who feel excluded or alone, that they may know the love of the Father for the Son from before the foundation of the world — a love now shared with them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may receive the glory Christ has given us and live as instruments of unity in our families, parishes, and communities, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For the faithful departed, that they may now behold the glory of Christ, who willed that all who believe should be where he is, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all Christian communities, that Christ's prayer for unity may hasten the day when all are brought to perfection as one.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may rejoice forever in the love with which the Father loved the Son before the world began, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV and all who proclaim the Gospel, that the world may come to believe that the Father sent the Son and loves those he has given him, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That the divisions among nations and peoples may be healed, and that all may be drawn into the oneness of the Father and the Son, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are searching for God, that they may encounter Christ who desires that all believers be with him, to see his glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may open ourselves fully to the indwelling love of the Trinity — 'that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them' — let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that we may be a living sign of unity for the world, witnessing together to the love of God made known in Jesus, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those preparing to enter the Church at Pentecost, that Christ's prayer for unity may enfold them.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all the faithful departed may share in the eternal glory that Christ desired for all who believe in him, 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.