Ash Wednesday opens the season of Lent. In 2027 it falls on February 10. At Mass, after the homily, the priest blesses and gives the ashes, and the Universal Prayer follows; the Creed is not said. The readings are the same every year: “Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping” (Joel 2), “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6), and Jesus’s teaching on almsgiving, prayer and fasting (Matthew 6). Below are four complete sets of Prayers of the Faithful for Ash Wednesday.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer. (Or: Lord, have mercy.)
How to use these intercessions
The priest introduces the Universal Prayer and says the closing prayer; a deacon or reader announces the intentions and the people respond (GIRM 69–71). At a Liturgy of the Word with ashes, without Mass, the same intentions can be used. Keep them short: Ash Wednesday Masses are often crowded.
Set 1: For the parish Mass
Priest: As we begin these forty days, let us turn to the Lord, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and rich in kindness.
- For the Church, that during this Lent she may call all people to conversion and to the joy of God’s forgiveness, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the leaders of nations, that they may turn from violence and injustice and seek the good of the poor, let us pray to the Lord.
- For the hungry and the poor, that our Lenten fasting and almsgiving may bring them real help, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those who are far from God or burdened by sin, that this Lent may lead them home to his mercy in the sacrament of confession, let us pray to the Lord.
- For our parish, that marked with ashes today we may live these forty days in prayer, fasting and charity, let us pray to the Lord.
- For all who have died, that remembering we are dust, we may hope with them in the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: Merciful Father, you call us back to you with all our heart. Hear our prayers, and give us the grace of a holy Lent. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Set 2: Prayer, fasting and almsgiving
Priest: Jesus teaches us to pray, to fast and to give alms in secret. Let us ask the Father, who sees in secret, for the grace to follow him.
- That our prayer this Lent may be honest and faithful, and draw us closer to God each day, let us pray to the Lord.
- That our fasting may free us from what enslaves us and make us more sensitive to the hunger of others, let us pray to the Lord.
- That our almsgiving may be generous and joyful, and reach those most in need, let us pray to the Lord.
- That those who are struggling with addiction may find in this season the strength to begin again, let us pray to the Lord.
- That our families may use this Lent to grow in patience, forgiveness and love, let us pray to the Lord.
Set 3: For a Catholic school
- For our school community, that this Lent may make us more kind, honest and generous, let us pray to the Lord.
- For students who are struggling, that they may find friends and teachers who help them, let us pray to the Lord.
- For children around the world who are hungry or poor, that our Lenten projects may help them, let us pray to the Lord.
- For our families, that we may pray together during these forty days, let us pray to the Lord.
Set 4: For a children’s Mass
Short intentions that children can read.
- Jesus, help us to say sorry when we do something wrong. Lord, hear our prayer.
- Help us to give something up for Lent and to share with the poor. Lord, hear our prayer.
- Help us to pray to you every day of Lent. Lord, hear our prayer.
- Bless all the children who are sick or hungry. Lord, hear our prayer.
Priest: Dear Jesus, you love us very much. Help us to make this Lent a time to love you more. You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Creed said on Ash Wednesday?
No. After the distribution of ashes the Universal Prayer follows, and the Creed is omitted.
When is Ash Wednesday in 2027?
Wednesday, February 10, 2027. It is a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.