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

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Saturday in the 4th Week of Lent

·Ferial

Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for Saturday in the 4th Week of Lent

Option 1

1.For religious sisters and brothers in contemplative communities, that their hidden prayer may remain the beating heart of the Church's mission, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may address the housing crisis and ensure that working families can afford a secure and stable home, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For young people not in education, employment, or training — who feel invisible and without purpose — that opportunity and human dignity may come their way, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may enter the coming week with open hearts, ready to follow Christ more closely as Holy Week draws near, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may actively engage young adults, creating spaces where they belong and are taken seriously in the community of faith, 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 laboured faithfully may now rest in God's eternal peace, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that almsgiving in this season may not end with Lent but convert our hearts permanently toward the poor among us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may address youth unemployment with targeted investment and apprenticeship programmes that open genuine futures, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For children in foster care who have moved from home to home and have never known the security of belonging to one family, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may pause this Saturday to take honest stock of our Lenten journey so far, and offer God whatever we managed, without excuse, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish this Lenten season may make a conscious effort to build bridges with the wider local community beyond its own walls, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For our sick, bereaved, and all who have asked for our prayers.Lord, hear our prayer.

For N. and all the faithful departed, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Pro Life Option

1.That the Church may never reduce unborn children to a medical problem to be managed, but always see in each one a person bearing the image of God, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may ensure that no unborn child can be aborted solely on grounds of disability, upholding equality for all persons from conception, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For women who feel unable to continue a pregnancy because of poverty, insecure housing, or fear of losing employment, that practical help may make choosing life truly possible, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may speak about unborn children not in abstractions but with the love and concreteness due to every real human person, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be ready with practical, immediate help for any family facing a difficult pregnancy, so that the Church's care is as real as the challenge, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who labour in pro-life ministries, that their efforts may bear abundant fruit.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may blossom in the eternal vineyard of God's 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.

BiddingPrayers.com

Understanding General Intercessions for Daily Mass

Why "General Intercessions" vs "Prayers of the Faithful"?