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

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Saint Fabian, pope and martyr / Saint Sebastian, martyr

○Optional Memorial

Liturgical Color: Red

General Intercessions for Saint Fabian, pope and martyr

Option 1

1.That the Church, inspired by the courageous witness of Pope St. Fabian, may remain steadfast in faith even in times of persecution, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders may uphold religious freedom and protect all citizens from violence and unjust discrimination, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For all who suffer for their faith, that they may be strengthened by the example of the martyrs and persevere in love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be faithful to Christ when our faith costs us something, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our local community may be a place where faith is lived with conviction and zeal, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all martyrs who shed their blood for Christ may rejoice in His eternal victory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may govern the Church with the wisdom and fortitude of St. Fabian, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That civil authorities may ensure justice and protection for all, especially religious minorities, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those facing trials or opposition because of their Christian beliefs, that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit's courage, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be willing to embrace the cost of discipleship and follow Christ faithfully, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a place where those who are suffering feel they can speak honestly about what they carry, 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 died for the faith may be counted among the victorious 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 be a courageous voice for those whose rights are denied or ignored, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who govern may ensure effective and accessible legal protection for religious minorities, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who have been dismissed from work or excluded from opportunities because of their faith, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be generous with the small acts of kindness that cost us little but mean much to those who receive them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may take its responsibility for the neighbourhood seriously, not just waiting for people to come in, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For those who are unemployed or seeking new opportunities.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all the faithful departed may rest in God's eternal peace, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may guide the Church with wisdom and pastoral charity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That those who govern may address the economic inequalities that fuel social division and conflict, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those living with bipolar disorder, managing the unpredictability of their condition and its impact on every relationship, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may be mindful of God's presence in the ordinary moments of our day, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.For our parish, that it may be a place of welcome and spiritual nourishment for all who enter, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all families in our community, that they may grow in love and faith.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all who have died may be brought into the light of God's eternal presence, 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"?