Prayers of the Faithful Today
August 20
Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church
✚Memorial
Liturgical Color: White
Prayers of the Faithful for Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church
Option 1
1.That the Church, inspired by St. Bernard's ardent love for Christ and his eloquent preaching, may always draw souls to the sweetness of God's love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That world leaders may seek wisdom and govern with hearts full of charity and concern for their people, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For all monks, nuns, and those dedicated to contemplative prayer, that their lives may be a powerful witness to the primacy of God, like St. Bernard, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may have a deep personal love for Jesus and a tender devotion to His mother Mary, as St. Bernard taught, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our local community may be a place where the love of God is fervently sought and where all are encouraged to grow in holiness, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For the Cistercian Order and all who follow the monastic way of life.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who loved God ardently in this life may now rejoice with St. Bernard in the eternal vision of His glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all pastors, that they may be true "mellifluous doctors," like St. Bernard, feeding the flock with sound doctrine and sweet devotion, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil society may value spiritual wisdom and create an environment where faith and contemplation can flourish, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who are struggling with dryness in prayer or a lack of spiritual fervor, that St. Bernard's intercession may enkindle their hearts, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may learn from St. Bernard to meditate on the mysteries of Christ's life and to find in Him all our joy and consolation, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community that values both intellectual understanding of the faith and affective love for God, 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 who have died may be brought into the perfect sweetness and light of God's eternal love, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Variations if Memorial is not celebrated
Option 1
1.That the Church may always proclaim the cross before the crown, following Christ who went up to Jerusalem knowing He would be handed over, mocked, and crucified—and rose on the third day, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That leaders of nations may understand with Christ that true greatness is not domination but service, and may govern as those who come not to be served but to serve their people, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those who seek positions of honor or influence in the Church or society, that they may be converted by Christ's word: 'Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant,' let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may ask ourselves with courage: 'Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?'—and say yes to whatever suffering, service, or sacrifice God asks of us, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be a community of servants rather than one seeking the best seats, shaped by the Son of Man who gave His life as a ransom for many, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For those carrying heavy crosses of illness, grief, or injustice, that Christ's passion may give meaning to their suffering.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who drank the chalice of suffering with Christ may now share in His resurrection glory, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Option 2
1.For Pope Leo XIV and all bishops, that they may be servants of the servants of God, modeling their ministry on Christ who came not to be served but to give His life for many, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
2.That civil society may honor and reward those who dedicate their lives to service rather than those who accumulate power and wealth, reflecting Christ's standard of true greatness, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
3.For those called to sacrificial vocations—parents, caregivers, nurses, teachers—that they may find in Christ's self-giving the strength and dignity that sustains them, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
4.That we may enter ever more deeply into the mystery of the Eucharist, where we receive the very Body and Blood of the One who gave His life as a ransom for many, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
5.That our parish may be formed by the servant-heart of Christ: a community where the greatest is the one who gives most generously in love and in service of all, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
Optional:For all who serve others without recognition or reward, that God may honor their hidden sacrifice.Lord, hear our prayer.
That N. and all who have died may share in the victory of Christ who ransomed them by giving His life for many, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.
How to Use These Prayers
- Choose your option: Select from the available prayer options based on your celebration.
- Customize if needed: Click "Edit" to adapt the prayers to your parish's specific needs.
- Download: Click "Download PDF" to get a printable version.
- Use during Mass: Have a lector read each intention, with the congregation responding "Lord, hear our prayer."
About Prayers of the Faithful
The Prayers of the Faithful, also known as bidding prayers or general intercessions, are an essential part of the Catholic Mass. These prayers allow the congregation to intercede for the needs of the Church, the world, those in authority, those oppressed by various needs, the local community, and the deceased.
Our daily prayers are carefully crafted according to the liturgical calendar, ensuring that each day's intercessions are appropriate for the specific celebration, whether it be a solemnity, feast, memorial, or ordinary day of the liturgical year.
Features:
- ✓ Updated daily according to the liturgical calendar
- ✓ Multiple options for each day
- ✓ Editable prayers to fit your parish needs
- ✓ PDF downloads for easy printing
- ✓ Liturgical colors and rankings displayed
- ✓ Free to use for all Catholic communities