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
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Saturday after Ash Wednesday [Saint Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church]
○Optional Memorial
Liturgical Color: White
General Intercessions for Saint Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church
Option 1
1.That the Church, following the example of Saint Peter Damian, may have the courage to name and address corruption and moral failure wherever they arise, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may govern with humility and a desire for true justice, rejecting corruption and worldly ambition, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those in religious life who are suffering from spiritual aridity and can no longer find God in prayer, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may loosen our grip on the possessions and comforts we cling to rather than trusting him, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may take seriously the study of Scripture and the teaching of the Church, making it part of our common life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those who work for reform and renewal in the Church.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all faithful teachers and reformers of the Church may share in eternal wisdom, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may be strengthened by the example of St. Peter Damian to lead the Church with courage and pastoral zeal, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That governing authorities may have the courage to act against corruption in public office rather than looking away when it touches their own, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who have left the Church feeling spiritually wounded and have never found another place of faith, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may give us the courage to name what is wrong rather than staying silent to keep the peace, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that it may be a place where difficult truths are spoken with care rather than avoided for the sake of comfort, 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 labored for the reform of the Church may now rejoice in God's eternal glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Variations if Optional Memorial is not celebrated
Option 1
1.That the Church may call her children to authentic prayer and penance this Lenten season, not as a habit but as a genuine encounter with God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That heads of government may take concrete steps to reduce the threat of armed conflict and pull back from escalation wherever war looms, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For catechumens preparing for baptism this Easter, that their Lenten season may become a genuine encounter with the living God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may give us a sincere and contrite heart rather than a Lent we merely endure, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may be united in prayer and fasting, supporting one another in our Lenten resolutions, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For safe travel for those who will be journeying this weekend.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all the faithful departed may be purified by God's mercy and brought to everlasting life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit as he guides the Church through this holy season, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That governing authorities may expand access to rehabilitation and mental health care for those in the prison system, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For young people who have abandoned faith entirely and find no meaning in life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That our Lenten almsgiving may be a true expression of our love for God and neighbor, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that our Sunday worship this Lenten season may be marked by genuine reverence and not merely routine, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those who are lonely or feel isolated, that they may find companionship in our community.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may rest in the peace of Christ, awaiting the glory of the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Pro Life Option
1.That the Church may offer Lenten prayers and sacrifices for the protection of all unborn children, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That legislators may have the courage to enact and defend laws protecting unborn children from abortion, resisting the pressure of political expediency, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For unborn children whose conception was the result of violence, that they may be welcomed and cherished despite the circumstances of their beginning, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That our Lenten disciplines may unite us more deeply with Christ's suffering and with the voiceless unborn, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may embrace a culture of life and offer tangible help to mothers and families in need, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all who work in pregnancy resource centers and pro-life ministries.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all children whose lives were taken before birth may rest in God's merciful love, 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.