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

Monday, March 30, 2026

Monday of Holy Week

·Ferial

Liturgical Color: Violet

General Intercessions for Monday of Holy Week

Option 1

1.For the Church, that she may learn from Mary of Bethany — that there are moments when lavish, extravagant love for Christ is not wasteful but the most necessary thing of all, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may protect women from domestic abuse and provide well-resourced refuges where those at risk can find safety and a new beginning, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For women living in fear in their own homes — subject to coercion, control, or violence by those who should love them — that safety and help may reach them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may come before Christ this Holy Week with something costly — not the leftover of our time and energy, but the first and the best, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may bring beauty and fullness to Holy Week's liturgies, honouring God not merely with obligation but with love that exceeds calculation, 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 welcomed into the eternal banquet of the Lamb, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Option 2

1.For the Church, that this Holy Week she may resist the voice that counts the cost of love and finds it too much, and choose instead the extravagance of devotion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That governing authorities may ensure fair wages that allow working families to live with dignity and not merely survive from week to week, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For workers trapped in precarious contracts with no security, no sick pay, and no guarantee of income — whose lives cannot be planned because their work offers no stability, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That this Holy Week we may sit at the feet of Christ, as Mary did, and not let any other business crowd out the most sacred time of the year, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may consecrate to these sacred days its best prayer, its most generous welcome, and its most committed presence, 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 be as bold as Mary of Bethany — pouring out lavish care for every unborn child, regardless of what the calculating voices around her say, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

2.That lawmakers may recognise that protecting the unborn is an act of love that costs something real, and be willing to pay that cost in the face of opposition, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

3.For unborn children of refugees and asylum seekers, whose mothers have no legal status, no support network, and no certainty of a future, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

4.That we may offer this week one costly act of prayer for the unborn — not efficient or convenient, but genuinely sacrificial, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

5.That our parish may be known for the lavishness of its care for mothers in need — as extravagant in practical help as Mary was with her precious ointment, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

Optional:For all who work to bring the light of truth and the gift of help to those facing crisis pregnancies.Lord, hear our prayer.

That N. and all innocent children lost to abortion may rejoice in the eternal light of God's 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"?