Universal Prayers

or
Prayers of the Faithful
II
For Various Needs and Occasions

INTRODUCTION
Since after the Most Holy Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, the
Consilium for the Implementation of the Sacred Liturgy has revised the
Roman Missal, they included in the new Order of the Mass the Universal
Prayers or Prayers of the Faithful.
In the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in some
sense to the Word of God which they have received in faith and, exercising
the office of their baptismal Priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation
of all. It is desirable that there usually be such a form of prayer in Masses
celebrated with the people, so that petitions may be offered for holy Church,
for those who govern with authority over us, for those weighed down by
various needs, for all humanity, and for the salvation of the whole world.1
And the General Instruction directs us on how we must draw up our
intentions: The series of intentions is usually to be: for the needs of the
Church; for public authorities and the salvation of the whole world; for those
burdened by any kind of difficulty; for the local community. Nevertheless, in
any particular celebration, such as a Confirmation, a Marriage, or at a
Funeral, the series of intentions may be concerned more closely with the
particular occasion.2 Moreover, The intentions announced should be sober,
be composed with a wise liberty and in few words, and they should be
expressive of the prayer of the entire community.3
And so, in this compilation of Universal Prayers, some instructions are to be
observed.
The announcing of the intentions, laid out by the General Instruction.
The manner of announcing the intentions, similar on how it is done in Rome,
after the celebrant have said the introduction, the response may be sung or
said, in its traditional form Lord hear our prayer or other suitable response.
Also, the declaration of each intention in the same manner is done; the
declaration may be sung or said, in accord with the intention (e.g. Let us
pray for the holy Church of God, etc.). And after the intention has been said,
the reader or other minister proclaims Let us pray to the Lord.
1 General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 69; Cf. Second Ecumenical Council of the
Vatican, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 53

2 GIRM Ibidem, no. 79

3 Ibidem, no. 80, ff.

In this second part of the series, it is intended for Masses for Various Needs
and Occasions.

For Holy Church

I. For the Church and the Pope
Dear brothers and sisters, let us ask the Lords help to guide his holy Church
on earth, and may He always defend his Church from all evil and may always
behold the Gospel for all.
Let us pray for the holy Church of God.
May Jesus, the spouse of the Church, give his holy Church the grace to
flourish throughout the whole world, and may proclaim his Gospel to all
nations.
Let us pray for the churches in tribulation.
May the churches those in trouble be always courageous and bear witness
always.
Let us pray for our Holy Father.
May our Holy Father, Pope Francis, may he may confirm his brethren and that
the whole Church may be in communion with him in the bond of unity, love
and peace.