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
Sunday, September 14, 2025
THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
✦Feast
Liturgical Color: Red
General Intercessions for THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
Option 1
1.That the Church may always glory in the Cross of Christ, proclaiming it as the sign of God's triumphant love and our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may look to the Cross for wisdom, seeking to lift up the lowly and to overcome evil with good, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For all who are burdened by heavy crosses of suffering, illness, or persecution, that they may find strength and hope in the saving power of Christ's Cross, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may embrace our own daily crosses with faith and love, uniting our sufferings with Christ's for the redemption of the world, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community, venerating the Holy Cross, may be a people who live by its power, finding life and victory in Christ crucified and risen, 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 the faithful departed who were signed with the Cross in baptism may now share in its eternal triumph, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may preach Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That all humanity may be drawn to the exalted Cross of Christ, finding in it the source of forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who reject the Cross or see it as foolishness, that their eyes may be opened to its saving mystery, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may not be ashamed of the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but see it as our only hope and our path to glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that our devotion to the Holy Cross may lead us to a deeper conversion and a more committed life of discipleship, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For a greater love and reverence for the sign of our salvation, the Holy Cross.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may, through the mystery of the Cross, be brought to the glory of the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Variations if Feast is not celebrated
Option 1
1.That the Church may be moved to intercede for all in need—as the elders interceded for the centurion—bringing the needs of others before Christ with urgency and faith, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil leaders may recognize that their authority is always in service of others, following the example of the centurion whose power was used to seek help for his servant, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For all who are ill or suffering, that they may find around them people who intercede for them with faith—bringing their need to Christ and trusting in His word alone, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may approach the Eucharist with the centurion's humility: 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed,' let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our community may be one of active intercession, where no one suffers alone but all bring one another's needs before the Lord who heals with a single word, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all who care for sick relatives or friends, that they may be sustained by the centurion's faith.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who believed that 'only say the word' is enough may now see Christ face to face in eternal glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all bishops, that they may marvel at faith found in unexpected places—outside the usual circles of the Church—and receive it with joy, as Jesus marveled at the centurion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That all nations may recognize in Christ the One whose word heals across every distance, bringing wholeness to individuals and to societies, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who feel unworthy to approach Christ, that they may discover that precisely this humility—'I am not worthy even to come to you'—is the faith that moves the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may trust that Christ's word—spoken at Mass, in the sacraments, and in personal prayer—reaches beyond all distance to heal what we cannot heal ourselves, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that it may be a community that intercedes faithfully for one another, bringing the centurion's faith and humility to every need laid before the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For the grace of genuine humility before God—that recognizing our unworthiness may increase our trust in Him.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may be healed of every wound and welcomed into the eternal dwelling where Christ waits for them, 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.