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 20, 2025
Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church
●Memorial
Liturgical Color: White
General Intercessions for Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church
Option 1
1.That the Church, inspired by St. Bernard's ardent love for Christ and his eloquent preaching, may always draw souls to the sweetness of God's love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may seek wisdom and govern with hearts full of charity and concern for their people, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For all monks, nuns, and those dedicated to contemplative prayer, that their lives may be a powerful witness to the primacy of God, like St. Bernard, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may have a deep personal love for Jesus and a tender devotion to His mother Mary, as St. Bernard taught, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may be a place where the love of God is fervently sought and where all are encouraged to grow in holiness, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For the Cistercian Order and all who follow the monastic way of life.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who loved God ardently in this life may now rejoice with St. Bernard in the eternal vision of His glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may be true "mellifluous doctors," like St. Bernard, feeding the flock with sound doctrine and sweet devotion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil society may value spiritual wisdom and create an environment where faith and contemplation can flourish, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are struggling with dryness in prayer or a lack of spiritual fervor, that St. Bernard's intercession may enkindle their hearts, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may learn from St. Bernard to meditate on the mysteries of Christ's life and to find in Him all our joy and consolation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community that values both intellectual understanding of the faith and affective love for God, 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 sweetness and light of God's eternal love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Variations if Memorial is not celebrated
Option 1
1.That the Church may always proclaim the cross before the crown, following Christ who went up to Jerusalem knowing He would be handed over, mocked, and crucified—and rose on the third day, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That leaders of nations may understand with Christ that true greatness is not domination but service, and may govern as those who come not to be served but to serve their people, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who seek positions of honor or influence in the Church or society, that they may be converted by Christ's word: 'Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant,' let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may ask ourselves with courage: 'Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?'—and say yes to whatever suffering, service, or sacrifice God asks of us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community of servants rather than one seeking the best seats, shaped by the Son of Man who gave His life as a ransom for many, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those carrying heavy crosses of illness, grief, or injustice, that Christ's passion may give meaning to their suffering.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who drank the chalice of suffering with Christ may now share in His resurrection glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all bishops, that they may be servants of the servants of God, modeling their ministry on Christ who came not to be served but to give His life for many, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil society may honor and reward those who dedicate their lives to service rather than those who accumulate power and wealth, reflecting Christ's standard of true greatness, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those called to sacrificial vocations—parents, caregivers, nurses, teachers—that they may find in Christ's self-giving the strength and dignity that sustains them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may enter ever more deeply into the mystery of the Eucharist, where we receive the very Body and Blood of the One who gave His life as a ransom for many, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be formed by the servant-heart of Christ: a community where the greatest is the one who gives most generously in love and in service of all, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all who serve others without recognition or reward, that God may honor their hidden sacrifice.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may share in the victory of Christ who ransomed them by giving His life for many, 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.