Intercessions

The Prayer of the Faithful

At Holy Mass, after listening to the Word of God and professing our faith, the Church turns to God in prayer for the needs of the Church and the world.

These prayers are known as the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful.

Through them we pray not only for ourselves, but for the whole Church, those who govern and serve the world, people who are suffering or in particular need, our parish community, and the faithful departed.

Our weekly parish intercessions are prepared for the Sundays, Holy Days and major celebrations of the Church’s year.

Latest Intercessions

The most recent intercessions are shown below.

Praying with the Church

The intercessions are not simply a list of announcements or intentions.

They are part of the prayer of the Church gathered for the Holy Mass.

Having heard God speak to us through Sacred Scripture, we respond by bringing before Him the needs of His people and of the whole world.

Our parish intercessions normally include prayers for:

  • the Holy Catholic Church;
  • the Pope, our Bishop and all who serve the Church;
  • peace, justice and those entrusted with public responsibility;
  • our parish, families, children and young people;
  • those who are sick, anxious, lonely, grieving or in need;
  • those who have died;
  • and the intentions which each of us carries silently in our own heart.

They are shaped, where appropriate, by the Scripture readings and feast being celebrated, so that our prayer flows naturally from the Word of God proclaimed at Mass.

Bringing Our Own Intentions Before God

The written petitions do not exhaust everything for which we need to pray.

During the intercessions there is also an opportunity to bring before God, in silence, the people and situations which are particularly upon our hearts.

These might include:

  • someone who is ill;
  • a family difficulty;
  • someone who has died;
  • a person who has asked for our prayers;
  • a decision or difficulty we are facing;
  • thanksgiving for a grace received;
  • or simply a need known only to God.

We do not need elaborate words.

God already knows what is in our hearts.

Asking the Prayers of Our Lady

In our parish intercessions we normally conclude the petitions by asking the prayers of Our Blessed Lady and praying the Hail Mary together.

Mary always leads us to her Son.

When we ask her to pray for us, we join our prayers to those of the Mother of God and entrust our needs more confidently to Jesus Christ.

Intercessions and the Holy Mass

These prayers belong within the celebration of the Mass.

The Eucharist is the centre of Catholic parish life: Christ gathers His people, speaks to us through His Word and gives Himself to us in the Blessed Sacrament.

The intercessions help us bring the needs of the Church and the world into that worship.

If you would like to join us for Mass at St Mary’s, St John Bosco or St Edward’s, you can find our usual Mass, Confession and Adoration times here:

MASS, CONFESSION & ADORATION TIMES

Using the Intercessions at Home

You are also very welcome to use these prayers during the week.

They can provide a simple way of praying with the Church and remembering needs beyond our own.

You might:

  • read through the coming Sunday’s intercessions;
  • pause after each petition;
  • add the names of people for whom you particularly wish to pray;
  • spend a few moments in silence;
  • and finish with the Hail Mary or another familiar prayer.

They can be particularly useful for those who are housebound or unable to come to Mass, while always remembering that reading the prayers at home does not replace participation in Sunday Mass when we are able to attend.

The Word of God and Our Prayer

The Prayer of the Faithful follows the proclamation of Sacred Scripture because Christian prayer begins with listening to God.

If you would like to explore the Scriptures more deeply, our Bible Studies are written to help Catholics read the Bible within the faith and Tradition of the Church.

EXPLORE OUR BIBLE STUDIES

Sunday Homilies

The homily helps us reflect upon the Word of God proclaimed at Mass and consider how it speaks to our lives today.

Our recent Sunday and Holy Day homilies can be found here:

READ THE LATEST HOMILIES

Grow in Faith

For further Catholic formation, Scripture, prayer and resources for living the faith:

GROW IN FAITH

“Lord, hear our prayer.”

May the prayers we offer at Mass teach us to look beyond ourselves, to place our trust in God, and to carry the needs of the Church and the world before Him with faith, hope and charity.