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

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Saint Damasus I, pope

○Optional Memorial

Liturgical Color: White

General Intercessions for Saint Damasus I, pope

Option 1

1.For authentic catechesis, that the Church may teach what she has received from the apostles with the conviction of Saint Damasus, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those responsible for labour law may guarantee fair wages, safe conditions, and dignity for all workers, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those in recovery from addiction, one day at a time, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That God may draw us to a love of Sacred Scripture and help us encounter him there in our daily reading, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may invest in the faith formation of adults and not only of children, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For scholars and historians of the Church, that their work may enlighten the faithful.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all the faithful departed may be gathered into the peace of God's love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the unity of the Church, that ancient wounds may continue to heal through patient dialogue and genuine charity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who lead the justice system may ensure fair access to legal representation and impartial judgment for all, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those facing unjust dismissal or unemployment from automation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may bring our questions and doubts about faith honestly before God, trusting that he welcomes honest seeking, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may support young people who are asking difficult questions about faith, rather than expecting easy answers from them, 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 share in the light of God's truth and love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Variations if Optional Memorial is not celebrated

Option 1

1.For survivors of abuse within the Church, that they may find justice, healing, and a community that walks with them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those responsible for criminal justice may prioritise rehabilitation and ensure humane conditions in prisons, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For victims of domestic violence and abuse, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be honest with God about the things we are carrying this week and not try to manage them alone, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a place where those who have experienced violence or trauma find safety and genuine support, 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 may rest in the mercy and peace of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For young adults drifting from faith, that the Church may reach them where they are, without demanding they come back on the Church's terms, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those in positions of authority may commit to protecting the natural environment and meeting their climate responsibilities, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For communities recovering from natural disasters, and those still waiting for aid that has not arrived, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That God may give us a genuine Advent hunger for him, and teach us what to fast from so that we can more clearly hear his voice, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish community may welcome newcomers this Advent season with warmth and make it easy for them to find their place, 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 held in the mercy of God and come to the fullness of his light, 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"?