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, August 13, 2025
Saint Pontian, pope, and Saint Hippolytus, priest, martyrs
○Optional Memorial
Liturgical Color: Red
General Intercessions for Saint Pontian and Saint Hippolytus, martyrs
Option 1
1.That the Church, inspired by the reconciliation and martyrdom of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, may always strive for unity and bear courageous witness to Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may promote forgiveness and understanding, working to heal divisions and protect religious freedom, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For all who have been estranged from the Church or from one another, that they may find paths to reconciliation and communion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may be willing to forgive those who have wronged us, and to seek forgiveness for our own failings, for the sake of Christ's unity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may be a place where differences are overcome by love and where all are united in their witness to the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those who suffer for their efforts to promote unity and truth within the Church.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all martyrs who died for the faith, and those who worked for reconciliation, may rejoice together in God's eternal kingdom, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may be instruments of unity and courageous defenders of the faith, like Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil society may be a place where truth is spoken with charity and where disagreements are resolved peacefully, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are struggling with doctrinal disputes or divisions within the Church, that they may find common ground in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may have the humility to admit our errors and the generosity to forgive others, for the sake of building up Christ's Body, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community that values both truth and charity, always striving for deeper communion in Christ, 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 may be brought into the perfect unity of the saints in heaven, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Variations if Optional Memorial is not celebrated
Option 1
1.That the Church may always proclaim the boundless mercy of God, who forgives not seven times but seventy-seven times, and calls us to offer that same mercy to one another, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That leaders of nations may build cultures of restorative justice—acknowledging wrongdoing, making amends, and restoring broken relationships—rather than resorting to vengeance, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are trapped in cycles of resentment and unforgiveness, that they may experience God's liberating mercy and find the grace to forgive those who have wounded them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may remember the vast debt of sin that God has mercifully cancelled for each of us, and so willingly cancel every debt that others owe us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community of forgiving love, where the Sacrament of Reconciliation is frequented and where mercy flows freely from person to person, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those who have been deeply wronged and struggle to forgive, that God may heal their wounds and set them free.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may receive from God the full forgiveness they sought in life and enter His eternal mercy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all shepherds of the Church, that they may be tireless ministers of God's mercy, making Christ's forgiveness accessible to all who seek it, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil society may establish systems of justice that reflect God's mercy, seeking the restoration of wrongdoers rather than mere punishment, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who believe they are beyond forgiveness, that they may hear Christ's word of total mercy and dare to return to the Father who runs to meet them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may approach one another with the compassion of the king in the parable, moved by the plea of those who have wronged us and moved to release them from their debt, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may make frequent use of the Sacrament of Penance, growing in the experience of God's mercy and in the practice of forgiveness toward one another, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those who have not yet experienced God's forgiveness, that they may seek reconciliation with Him.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may be forgiven of every debt by the merciful Father and welcomed into His eternal joy, 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.