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

Sunday, March 29, 2026

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION

·Sunday

Liturgical Color: Red

General Intercessions for PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION

Option 1

1.For the Church, that as she begins Holy Week she may enter deeply into the mystery of Christ's Passion — not as a spectator but as one who accompanies Him with love and fidelity, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That world leaders who hold power may contemplate on this day the King who entered Jerusalem on a donkey, and be moved to govern with humility and service, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those who have experienced betrayal by someone they trusted — as Christ was betrayed by one of His own — that they may find healing in the knowledge that He understands their pain, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may hold our palm branches today as a pledge of fidelity — resolving not to be the crowd that shouts Hosanna now and turns away before Friday, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish community may walk the whole of Holy Week together — from this procession to the Easter Vigil — as a people who do not abandon Christ in His hour, 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 be raised with Christ in the glory of the Resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that she may proclaim this week not in triumphalist tones but with the quiet certainty of one who has walked to Calvary and knows what awaits beyond it, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may reflect this Holy Week on those who are condemned and marginalised, whose condition mirrors something of Christ's own experience of rejection, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For those on death row in countries that still practise capital punishment, facing the ultimate condemnation with little human comfort or hope, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That this Lent's holiest week may find us willing to sit with Christ in His Passion — not rushing past the Cross to get to the Resurrection, but letting His suffering change us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish, as Lent reaches its summit in Holy Week, may celebrate the Triduum liturgies together as the central and irreplaceable act of our year, 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 stand beneath the Cross this week and refuse to abandon the defenceless — as the women of Jerusalem refused to leave Jesus on the road to Calvary, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may contemplate the innocent One condemned by a crowd, and ask themselves whether the laws they uphold condemn the innocent in our own day, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For mothers considering abortion who are in their most desperate hour, that they may find — like Simon of Cyrene — someone who steps forward to help carry the weight before the final decision, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may allow the Passion we hear proclaimed today to move us from sentiment to action — to do something concrete this week for the most vulnerable among us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be a community that stands with the innocent and the condemned — not the crowd, but the women at the foot of the Cross, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who pray for an end to abortion and for the protection of the most vulnerable.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may be lifted up by God's mercy into His 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"?