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
Monday, February 23, 2026
Monday in the 1st Week of Lent [Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr]
●Memorial
Liturgical Color: Red
General Intercessions for Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr
Option 1
1.That the Church, like Saint Polycarp, may hold fast to apostolic Tradition and proclaim Christ without compromise, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may protect religious freedom and defend those who are persecuted for their faith, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For Christians who have been imprisoned because of their faith and face an uncertain future, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may give us the courage to name ourselves as Christians in settings where that carries a cost, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may honor the witness of the martyrs and be inspired to live our faith with conviction and joy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For Christians who face persecution in our world today.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all martyrs who gave their lives for Christ may rejoice with St. Polycarp in the presence of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all bishops, that like St. Polycarp, they may be faithful shepherds, guarding the deposit of faith entrusted to them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil authorities may respect the dignity and freedom of the Church to proclaim the Gospel without fear, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For Christians who, under social or family pressure, have publicly denied their faith and are now living a lie, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may give us the strength to choose faithfulness over comfort when the two come into conflict, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that it may be a community that does not shrink from naming what it believes, even when that is unpopular, 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 in communion with Christ may be crowned with the glory of the martyrs, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Variations if Memorial is not celebrated
Option 1
1.That the Church may be a compassionate mother, guiding all her children in the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That heads of state may take urgent action to address extreme poverty, ensuring that the most destitute nations receive aid without political strings attached, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For families in our neighbourhood who cannot afford food at the end of the month and go to bed hungry, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That God may free us from the resentment we are holding against someone and give us the grace to let it go, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may live out this Lenten season as a community that genuinely prays for one another by name, 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 benefit from our Lenten prayers and find eternal rest, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV, that he may lead the Church with wisdom and call us to authentic renewal this holy season, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That governing authorities may ensure that the rule of law protects the most vulnerable citizens and is not merely a tool of the powerful, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those living with chronic pain who have no prospect of relief and can barely hold on from one day to the next, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That our fasting this Lent may teach us something real about our dependence on God rather than just being a hunger we endure, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.For our parish, that it may be a community of sincere repentance, fervent prayer, and active charity this Lent, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For a spirit of generosity and self-denial to pervade our Lenten observance.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may be purified by God's mercy and enter into His eternal joy and peace, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Pro Life Option
1.That the Church, through its Lenten disciplines, may offer powerful intercession for the protection of every unborn child, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That lawmakers may have a conversion of heart, turning from laws that permit abortion and embracing the sanctity of all human life, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For unborn children of mothers in poverty who feel they cannot afford to continue the pregnancy, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may be moved to pray and sacrifice specifically for the unborn children who are most at risk this day, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may intensify its efforts to support pregnant women in need and promote life-affirming alternatives to abortion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all who fast and pray for an end to abortion and for the unborn.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may be gathered into the loving arms of our Father, 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.