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 28, 2026

Saturday in the 5th Week of Lent

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Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for Saturday in the 5th Week of Lent

Option 1

1.For the Church, that this final Saturday before Holy Week may find her gathered in prayer — bishops, priests, and people united in readiness to walk the Passion road with Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may uphold the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and ensure they receive the care, inclusion, and respect they deserve, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For people with severe intellectual disabilities who cannot communicate their needs or advocate for themselves, dependent entirely on the goodwill of those around them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may enter Holy Week with a spirit of attention and simplicity — setting aside busyness and being truly present to what the Church is about to celebrate, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish community may enter Holy Week together — attending the liturgies, praying as one body, and supporting those for whom this week is spiritually difficult, 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 sought to love God above all things may now enjoy His eternal presence, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that she may enter Holy Week having genuinely grown through this Lent — not unchanged, but deepened, quieter, more open to the God who meets us in the Passion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may provide adequate social housing and end the policies that force low-income families into cycles of poverty and displacement, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For families who have lost their home and are sleeping in cars, hostels, or relatives' homes, with children watching their parents struggle with shame and insecurity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That as Lent draws to its close, we may bring before God an honest account of it — not performed regret, but real desire to carry what we have learned into Holy Week, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish, as this Lenten season reaches its summit, may see in Holy Week not the end of effort but its very culmination — the moment everything Lent has prepared us for, 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 enter Holy Week with prayer on her lips for the unborn — carrying them in her heart as she carries the Cross of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may use this coming week to reflect on the lives cut short by abortion and on the legal framework they have the power to change, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For mothers who have an abortion appointment in the days ahead, that they may encounter an unexpected moment of grace — a conversation, a person, a prayer — that opens another door, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may pray today in a specific, urgent way for the unborn most at risk this week, trusting that God hears the prayer that comes from the heart, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may make the unborn a concern of our Holy Week prayer — naming them, remembering them, and interceding for their protection throughout the sacred days ahead, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who offer loving alternatives to abortion and care for women in crisis pregnancies.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may be held forever in God's perfect 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"?