Fr. Daniel's Corner / December 27, 2020

Mass Moment: The Prayer of the Faithful

The Liturgy of the Word ends with the Prayer of the Faithful, also called the General Intercessions or Universal Prayers. The priest leads the people in this prayer with an introduction and invites the people to prayer and likewise he concludes it with a prayer. In doing this, he (the priest) is the sacrament of Christ at the head of his body, for Christ leads his people in prayer. We go to the Father through Him.

A deacon or a lector articulates the prayers on behalf of the assembly, and the assembly adds its own voice to each one, as together they say, “Hear us, O Lord” (or a similar response). So, in the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. Petitions are offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world. As a rule, the series of intentions is to be:

1. For the needs of the Church; 2. For public authorities and the salvation of the whole world; 3. For those burdened by any kind of difficulty; 4. For the local community.

5. For the faithful departed

Nevertheless, in a particular celebration, such as Confirmation, Marriage, or a Funeral, the series of intentions may reflect more closely the particular occasion. The intentions announced should be sober, be composed freely but prudently, and be succinct, and they should express the prayer of the entire community (GIRM # 69-71). Individuals can pray for their particular needs in the silence of their hearts.

To call them “Prayer of the Faithful” has some historical merit since catechumens and others were dismissed before the proclaiming of them. However, today it is more common to call them General Intercessions since the whole Mass is really the prayer of the faithful. The priest, through his opening prayer may link the intercessions to the reading and by his closing prayer may summarize them. This can help to place them in a clear context. To sing the intercessions where possible is a beautiful option and surely of ancient practice (Cf Music in Catholic Worship # 74).