Prayer of the Faithful

Mar 17, 2024 | 119 comments

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL 

PRAYERS UPDATED EACH THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY

PLEASE SCAN DOWN FOR FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT – SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024 AND IN IRELAND FOR ST PATRICK’S DAY PRAYERS. 

PALM SUNDAY 

SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2024

INTRODUCTION; PRESIDER

As we reflect on the suffering which Jesus endured for us, we come to you Father, imploring your help and inspiration

MINISTER OF THE WORD

In today’s reading of the Passion, we see Simon Peter, who had witnessed Jesus transfigured and recognised him as the Saviour, deny him three times. At this difficult time for the Church, we ask for the faith to stand by Jesus and have the courage to publicly proclaim the Word of the Lord.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer.

During this Holy Week, we pray for the grace to reflect on the Way of the Cross and on the sufferings which Christ endured out of love for us.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for unity among all Christians and that during this Holy Week we who believe in you, who hope in you and who love you, will worship you in harmony and with the love which you deserve from us.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer

As we reflect on the sacrifice which Jesus suffered on behalf of humanity, we pray that our society display that same love as we struggle to overcome war, poverty and homelessness. We pray that at this time, we dedicate ourselves by word and action to a renewal of our commitment to our Christian faith and love of neighbour.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray for all those who,  like Jesus, carry a heavy cross because of poverty, homelessness, illness and bereavement.  We pray also for those, who like Simon of Cyrene, help them in their moment of need.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray for the people of Gaza, particularly the children, those in hospitals and the medical staffs who are caring for them under unbearable conditions.  We pray to the Lord for peace in Palestine and for respect by all sides for the lives of the innocent.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer

We bow our heads and remember in silence our own personal intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers.                                                        

We pray to the Lord                    R. Lord hear our prayer

PRESIDER  

We ask, Lovng Father, that you hear the prayers we offer in the name of Jesus  and help us live our lives with love, tolerance and forgiveness in  our hearts We make these prayers through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

THE ABOVE PRAYERS ARE FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2024

PALM SUNDAY  

IN IRELAND 

ST PATRICK’S DAY 

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024

INTRODUCTION; PRESIDER

Lord, As we gather in spirit today to honour your missionary St Patrick, we thank you for the multitude of graces you have bestowed on us as part of his legacy and bring our prayers  to thee with confidence and joy.

MINISTER OF THE WORD

In today’s gospel Jesus warns us that we must not spend this short life in the pursuit of worldly goods and pleasures – anyone who loves his life will lose it.  We pray for the wisdom to recognise the true path to salvation and to pursue it without worldly distraction.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer.

As we celebrate the legacy of St Patrick, our patron saint, we pray for the Church in Ireland that it may in humility recognise its mistakes, be open to reform and renewal and wisely face the challenges of today’s ever changing world.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer.

On this St Patrick’s Day, we pray for all the people of Ireland, that they may be filled with the courage and spirituality of St Patrick and overcome the many challenges facing this country at this time.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray for Irish people all over the world, especially family and friends, that they may be safe from all harm and danger.  We pray especially for all those separated from loved ones and for those exiled in faraway lands.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray for those Irish people who have followed in the footsteps of St Patrick as missionaries and as volunteers in developing countries, that God may bless their efforts to create a more just world.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray for our immigrants, the new Irish, who like St Patrick have come to our land to become part of our national family. We pray that we and they be blessed by their presence in our country.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray that the Lord open the eyes and  soften the hearts of those powerful and influential world leaders who stand by for political reasons while so many innocent men, women and children in Gaza suffer starvation, torture and death

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer

We bow our heads and remember in silence our own personal intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers.                                                        

We pray to the Lord                    R. Lord hear our prayer

PRESIDER  

God, our Father, we thank you for sending St Patrick to our Isle and pray that you bestow on us the grace to honour and protect his legacy. We make our prayers through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

THE ABOVE PRAYERS ARE FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024

 ST PATRICK’S DAY

FOR TERRITORIES OUTSIDE IRELAND

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

INTRODUCTION; PRESIDER

Loving Father, who through the sacrifice of your only Son, Jesus Christ, we are offered the opportunity of eternal life in your divine presence, , we come with gratitude and humility to present our prayers to thee.

MINISTER OF THE WORD

In today’s gospel Jesus warns us that we must not spend this short life in the pursuit of worldly goods and pleasures – anyone who loves his life will lose it.  We pray for the wisdom to recognise the true path to salvation and to pursue it without worldly distraction.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer.

As we reflect on our lives during Lent, let us renew our commitment to Christ and allow the waters of baptism transform the desert of our lives into a fruitful vineyard in which God’s love and mercy flourish.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer.

During this time of Lent, we pray that forgiveness be at the heart of our family life so that we can grow to know the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness together.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray for Pope Francis who celebrated the 11th anniversary of his ministry as successor to St Peter on Wednesday last, March 13th. We pray that through his vision and leadership, the world may be inspired to a greater commitment to safeguard Gods’ wonderful creation.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray for those in our community who are in need or in difficulties of any kind and ask the Lord for His guidance and grace so that we may be willing servants to those who need our help.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord, hear our prayer

On this St Patrick’s Day, we pray for those many Irish people who have followed in the footsteps of St Patrick as missionaries and as volunteers in developing countries, that God may bless their efforts to create a more just world.

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray that the Lord open the eyes and  soften the hearts of those powerful and influential world leaders who stand by for political reasons while so many innocent men, women and children in Gaza suffer starvation, torture and death

We pray to the Lord             R. Lord, hear our prayer

We bow our heads and remember in silence our own personal intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers.                                                        

We pray to the Lord                    R. Lord hear our prayer

PRESIDER  

Lord, we ask that you hear our prayers and grant us new life and hope through faith in your infinite love and generosity.  We ask this through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

THE ABOVE PRAYERS ARE FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT 

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A PRAYER FOR THE EARTH (Martyn Goss, Diocese of Exeter)

God our Creator, maker and shaper of all that is, seen and unseen; You are present in the breadth and depth of the whole of creation, and in the processes that make life possible. Yet, we are distracted by the gods of the marketplace. Our lives have become fractured and fragmented. In our brokenness we disturb the Earth’s capacity to hold us, Call us back from the brink. Help us to choose love and not fear, to change ourselves and not the planet, to act justly for the sake of the vulnerable, and to make a difference today for the life tomorrow. We make this our prayer in your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

A Prayer for our Earth

All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. Pour out upon us the power of your love,  that we may protect life and beauty. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.  Amen.  (Laudato Si’, 246)

 A Prayer Before Meals 

Loving God, we ask you to bless this food which  comes to us through the work of many people,  from the sowing of seeds in the earth,  to our table here today.  Help us to always care for  your beautiful creation.  Amen.

PRAYER FOR RACIAL HEALING

God of justice, In your wisdom you create all people in your image, without exception. Through your goodness, open our eyes to see the dignity, beauty, and worth of every human being. Open our minds to understand that all your children are brothers and sisters in the same human family. Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes, behaviors, and speech which demean others. Open our ears to hear the cries of those wounded by racial discrimination, and their passionate appeals for change. Strengthen our resolve to make amends for past injustices and to right the wrongs of history. And fill us with courage that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive and be forgiven, and establish peace and equality for all in our communities. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen

COMMUNION PRAYER 

O Godhead Hid, Devoutly I Adore Thee

O Godhead hid, devoutly I adore Thee,Who truly art within the forms before me; To Thee my heart I bow with bended knee, As failing quite in contemplating Thee.

Sight, touch, and taste in Thee are each deceiv’d; The ear alone most safely is believ’d: I believe all the Son of God has spoken, Than Truth’s own word there is no truer token.

God only, on the Cross lay hid from view; But here lies hid at once the Manhood too: And I, in both professing my belief, Make the same prayer as the repentant thief.

Thy wounds, as Thomas saw, I do not see; Yet Thee confess my Lord and God to be: Make me believe Thee ever more and more; In Thee my hope, in Thee my love to store.

O thou Memorial of our Lord’s own dying! O living Bread, to mortals life supplying! Make Thou my soul henceforth on Thee to live; Ever a taste of Heavenly sweetness give.

O loving Pelican! O Jesu, Lord! Unclean I am, but cleanse me in thy blood; Of which a single drop, for sinners spilt, Can purge the entire world from all its guilt.

Jesu! whom for the present veil’d I see, What I so thirst for, oh, vouchsafe to me: That I may see thy countenance unfolding, And may be blest thy glory in beholding. Amen.

Words: St. Thomas Aquinas, 13th Century.

PRAYERS FROM POPE FRANCIS

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM CORONAVIRUS

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Our Refuge and our Hope, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

 

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

 In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of  mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity, that they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic  necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on  promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realise that we are all members of one great family and to recognise the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal   course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

 

PRAYER FROM CHURCH OF IRELAND ARCHBISHOP MICHAEL JACKSON

Almighty and All–loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we pray to you through Christ the Healer for those who suffer from the Coronavirus Covid–19 in Ireland and across the world. We pray too for all who reach out to those who mourn the loss of each and every person who has died as a result of contracting the disease. Give wisdom to policymakers, skill to healthcare professionals and researchers, comfort to everyone in distress and a sense of calm to us all in these days of uncertainty and distress. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord who showed compassion to the outcast, acceptance to the rejected and love to those to whom no love was shown. Amen.

 

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

St Alphonsus Liguori

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament,

I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul,

Since I now cannot receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart,

I embrace you and unite myself to you;

Permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen.

[Many thanks to all who contributed to the upgrading of our website. If you continue to use this Prayer Page regularly, and are not a member of ACI, please consider helping ACI by making a small donation annually – to help us to ‘grow’ in our mission to help renew the Irish Catholic Church. ]

ACI Submission to Conference of Irish Bishops – 01/10/2019

119 Comments

  1. Tom Mulligan

    I use the Prayer of the Faithful on this site very often. I find them to be very topical & relevant to people’s lives. The prayers echo, to a great extent, the Scripture Readings of the day. Sincere thanks to all concerned for this wonderful service

    Reply
    • Editors

      ACI thank you for your kind comment Tom. We think it important that, in the only part of the Mass where the laity have an input, the Prayer of the Faithful should be immediate and reflect the concerns of the community at that particular moment in time as well as relating to the overall theme of the day as dictated by the readings and gospel.
      Editors

      Reply
      • REMELYN PELOBELLO

        Peace and all good! Greetings from Holy Cross Catholic Church Nicosia, Cyprus. I am so delighted that I have found your site. Thank you so much! May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire you who have been given the gift to put into words what many of us find to be truly a challenge. Thank you for sharing your gift with us so that we can share them with our parishioners.

        Reply
  2. charles ongole

    I am a lay servant of liturgy in our Ten O’clock Family Mass here at Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine, Namugongo/Uganda where I find your postings of “The Prayer of theFaithful” most relevant and indeed Universal.Your posts inform our own needs and underscore our Catholicism pretty well indeed. I thank you from the heart and ask you always continue to pray for us, for conversion and repentance in the world, and all those in need.

    Reply
  3. Peter Mkali

    I am one of those people who enjoy the content of the prayers, and as one of the leaders in our Small Catholic Community in Lilongwe, Malawi, we adopt them for use when our community is leading in liturgy. We will be leading in liturgy on 15 January 2017 and I will be relying on your next post, I wonder when that will be? Stay blessed and may the Holy Spirit continue to guide you.

    Reply
    • Prayer of the Faithful Editor

      Peter,
      Thank you for your mail and we appreciate your comments. With regard to your query, as we try to reflect the “now” in our prayers, we tend to upload each Sunday’s prayers by the Friday noon prior to the Sunday.

      Consequently, we expect to upload the prayers for Sunday 15th Jan by noon on Friday 13th Jan.

      Reply
      • Jessy Elisius

        Thank you for delightful prayers, short but very impact full. May God continued to increase your gift .

        Reply
      • Stanley Ketom

        I am from Papua New Guinea, I enjoy reading the prayer of the faithfulls.

        Reply
  4. Kelly

    I am planning our whole school mass for the Feast of St Brigid and I am wondering if you write prayers of the Faithful for this day?
    Kelly from New Zealand

    Reply
    • Editor

      Kelly,

      St Brigid is, after St Patrick, our most revered Irish saint and we will certainly be honouring her with special prayers on her Feast Day, February 1st. We will also be thinking of your school and hopefully the children will be making St Brigid crosses on the day and hanging them on the walls at home during the rest of the year.

      Reply
  5. Anne

    Love these prayers of faithful all down to earth. But I work in a church and lately they are not ready on a friday before one so I do miss not having them …

    Reply
  6. Editor

    Ann,
    Sorry, just recently saw your comment and am only now replying. We appreciate your deadline and have set our own now to be up on site each week by 12.00 noon Fridays. We want to wait until Fridays to be as relevant as possible for the weekend Masses.

    Reply
    • Anne

      Thank you…..

      Reply
    • Fionnuala Kelly

      I, too, look for your prayers sooner than Friday – we try to have ours ready by Thursday (with the option to update them if something happens).

      Reply
      • soconaill

        Hi Fionnuala,

        Our Prayer of the Faithful editor says:

        “Fionnuala,

        “Thank you for your comment regarding the update of our Prayers of the Faithful every week. In fact, following similar requests, we have been updating the prayers each week by 1.00pm each Thursday for at least the last six months or so. Perhaps, because our previous target was Friday, you did not notice this change.

        “We are appreciative of all comments received and try as far as possible to meet the needs of those who find them helpful each week in ensuring that the voices of the non-ordained are heard in their Mass.

        Regards,

        Editor”

        Reply
  7. Fr. Mario A. Rodrigues

    I just found this site just love the prayers of the faithful, would be good if we remember the sick as well as the departed, especially the departed Missionaries…God bless keep up the great work

    Reply
  8. John Mwengunga

    I am delighted.

    Reply
  9. gaudensio jada

    I am very delighted with this site because it provides an important part of the liturgy during Holy Mass. May God inspire the writer more so that Christians benefit from that gift of writing.

    Reply
  10. Lulu Tablante

    March 17 our 45th ann. Please share prayer of the faithful esp. we are at the Church where we got married at the Phil. We live in USA.
    Thanks & God bless.

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Many blessings, Lulu, on you, your spouse and your whole family. July 15th, 2019 will be our fiftieth anniversary. We live in Coleraine, Northern Ireland – but have a son, a daughter-in-law and three granddaughters, all American, in Boston. Stay warm, stay prayerful, stay safe! Sean O’Conaill

      Reply
      • Áine Ní Dhufaigh

        Is breá liom do phaidreacha.Is iontach an chabhair agus an spreagadh dom iad agus mé ag cur paidreacha le chéile I gcóir an Aifrinn Gaeilge i Séipéal Naomh Peadair i mBré
        .Féachaim chuige go bhfuil ár n-urnaí bunaithe ar scrioptúr an lae agus ar cad atá ag tárlú sa bhaile agus ar fud an domhain .
        Beannacht Dé oraibh,

        Reply
  11. Sr. Gloria Salutan

    I don’t have any comment. But I humbly ask this favor:
    Kindly send me the daily prayer of the faithful.

    Thank you & Godbless!

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Our Editor for Prayers of the Faithful responds as follows:

      Sr Gloria, thank you for your response and your request for daily prayers of the faithful. Regretfully, we can only provide these for Sundays and Holy Days in the Church calendar. We have sought an alternative source for you but have been unable to find any site or publication offering POF on a daily basis. If any reader can enlighten us on this, we would be delighted to pass on the information.

      Reply
  12. Ger Cahill

    Hi in our church we ask our teenagers to do the prayers of the faithful. We have had a great response and they have been doing it now for the past 10 years or more. Its a great way to keep teenagers involved in the church. Thank you association of Catholics Ireland for your prayers each week

    Reply
  13. Anne

    Love to use these prayers of faithful. But never ready on Friday morning early so I cannot use them or help out the priest and have them done the weekend for him .Pity.
    Regards anne

    Reply
  14. Wilson Kwasi

    First time I’m getting to this. Ours is a small community called St Gabriel’s Mission Station, a part of St Edmund’s Pastoral Zone Mulang, in the archdiocese of Bamenda in Cameroon. I found these prayers very suitable and easily adaptable to our context.
    Thanks a lot and may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire the writers to do more.
    Happy Easter!

    Reply
  15. soconaill

    Many thanks, Wilson. And Happy Easter to you all in St Gabriel’s Mission Station.

    Reply
  16. Onyeka hamlet

    Let the Mercy of God locate me,my siblings, the Church all over the world, l pray oh Lord

    Reply
  17. neelar

    Hello. I cannot find your old Prayer of the Faithful archive. Can you let me access it?
    We do daily intercessory prayers and I would like to share them with those who might be interested. Thank you and God bless.

    Reply
    • soconaill

      There is as yet no archive for our Prayers of the Faithful, but your query prompts us to look into that possibility. I will get back soon to let you know if we can soon begin archiving prayers from now on.

      Thanks for suggesting this!

      Sean

      Reply
  18. Noel

    Many thanks, Neelar, for your query. Sean,our ‘expert’ on the website is away on vacation at the moment. I’m sure he will follow up when he returns.
    In the meantime wishing you and your community God’s Blessing.

    Reply
  19. data aldo

    Iam Aldo From Koboko Parish Arua Dioces Uganda.The Prayers Are So Nice And Easy To Read So Please Is It Possible To Send It To My Email Every Sunday

    Reply
  20. Sean O’Conaill

    I fear that we cannot yet do that, Aldo. Our resources are as yet too limited. We hope it isn’t too great an inconvenience to come to this prayer page.

    Reply
  21. Sean O Fleatbertaig

    Ar maidin mhaith Sean o Naomh Josephs i Toronto, go mbeadh an dillis agat don Domhnach Pentecost seo chugaill sa ghaeilge.

    Reply
  22. Noel McCann

    Tá áthas orainn a chlois ó léitheoir i Toronto. Go raibh maith agat as do dhea-mhianta agus táimid buíoch go dtóg tú an t-am chun teagmháil a dhéanamh linn. Go mbealaigh Dia agus an Spiorad Naomh tu féin agus do clainn uile ar an Domhnach Pentecost seo.

    We are pleased to hear from a reader in Toronto. Thank you for your good wishes and we appreciate you taking the time to contact us. May God and the Holy Spirit bless you and all your family on this Pentecost Sunday.

    Reply
  23. soconaill

    We listen to our readers, particularly those who prepare Prayers of the Faithful in their local parish churches, and over the past few weeks, in response to requests, we have brought forward the uploading of the prayers for the following Sunday to Thursdays.

    We hope to be in a position to do this each week from now on.

    Reply
  24. Mereoni

    Thank you so much for the prayers, I find it very helpful when I have to prepare for my community here in Nadi,Fiji. Your prayers are truly meaningful and inspiring.

    Reply
  25. John Ernest Whyte

    I thank God for identifying this Prayer of the faithful page. It will be helpful for me to always prepare my bidding prayers to read at Church.

    Reply
  26. Motlalepula.selepe

    I’m so grateful for this prayers of the faithful page,it reflects more on the gospel,and helps me prepare for mass in time,and helps me understand the gospel,thanks for helping in with your page

    Reply
  27. Anthony

    I have started to send the Prayers of the Faithful to our priest and he has used them – a significant improvement!

    Alleluia!

    Reply
  28. kathleen

    Thank you so much for your prayers I live in Sydney , regularly attend mass but also like to refer and pray before retiring each night. God bless from Kathy

    Reply
  29. GHAH SYLVANUS JICK

    Thank you lectors. May God give you the strength and zeal to carry on. Sylvanus from Cameroon

    Reply
  30. Richard Cooper

    Discovered your site as a “fall back” from our usual source, and found your prayers very meaningful and relevant. Will use more often in future in preparation of our prayers of the faithful at Mass. God bless you and greetings from Yorkshire!

    Reply
  31. Fr. Willy ochojila

    Nice piece of prayer for our present day world

    Reply
  32. Sharon

    I really appreciate all who prepare for us this wonderful gift. May you be blessed more and more. Amen.

    Reply
  33. Áine Bean Uí Dhufaigh

    Tá Aifreann Gaeilge againn gach Domhnach in Eaglais an tSlánaitheora Naofa i mBré,agus úsáidim do phaidreacha mar chnamharlach is me ag cumadh paidreacha i nGaeilge don Aifreann sin.Go raibh maith agaibh.
    Âine.

    Reply
  34. Anthony Chinemerem Nwaiwu

    This is a very useful material. God bless you for this.

    Reply
  35. Sarjoh

    Every Sunday , we use these prayers for our English mass in South Sudan. Christ Bless

    Reply
  36. Noel

    Sarjoh, thank you for your message. It is wonderful to hear that the ACI Prayers of the Faithful are being used by your community in South Sudan. May God Bless you and your community.
    Noel.

    Reply
  37. Carol Roberts Nurse

    First time using this site as a Lay minister I used the prayer of the faithful as a guide when preparing for service. Sometimes when time is limited. God bless, continue the great work God has started in each. Blessings from Trinidad and Tobago.

    Reply
  38. Jacob Shelu

    Grate effort, I am using this prayers in our Sunday mass with necessary change. Thank you

    Reply
    • Noel

      Many thanks, Jacob. Where are you based?
      God Bless your work.

      Reply
  39. Fionnuala Kelly

    I love this site, which I have only just discovered, but would request that you add the Celebrant’s opening and closing prayer too!

    Reply
    • soconaill

      The Prayer Page Editor responds:

      ”Fionnuala, thank you for taking the time to mail us. Take a look at the site now and see if we have met satisfactorily with your request.

      And wishing all who weekly check in to our prayers a Holy and Happy Christmas.”

      Reply
      • Fionnuala Kelly

        Yes, thank you! As a lay person who writes bidding prayers for use in our parish, this is a great help.

        Reply
  40. Lloyd Allan MacPherson

    Prayers for you all this time of year. Pray for me – the veil has been lifted on the ‘global lawsuit’ and attachments, constitutionally and religiously so I’m in fully fossil fuel industry view.

    It’s exactly where a social activist wants to be this time of year. You feel like an eagle landing after a successful hunt crossing river after river.

    Angels, what have we done? Together, we’ll cross this river.

    Reply
  41. Sue Gibson

    I always use your prayers when it’s my turn for our Sunday intersessions, and I know of others that do as well.
    Always in line with the gospel and sermon.
    Thank you

    Reply
  42. Noel Fernando

    I am from Sri Lanka. Well I do really appreciate your Ministry. May the good Lord bless you to continue the good work you are doing for his church and for his people. Thank you once again..
    God Bless you!
    Noel Fernando

    Reply
  43. Teresa Devlin

    Parish of Loughlinstown, Co Dublin
    I feel I have to write to you as I would like to thank you most sincerely for your wonderful Prayer of the Faithful link. I use it every week in our Church and I find them very inspirational and extremely helpful.

    Again many thanks and God bless you all.

    Kind regards,

    Teresa Devlin
    Parish Secretary

    Reply
  44. Rev. Rebello

    Greetings from All the way from Plainview, NY, USA. Your section of the prayer of the faithful is helpful to prepare the weekend liturgy. Thank You so much.

    Reply
  45. Jane Nnenne Ozoemena

    Thanks Tom, plz send more prayers so I can use for my Sunday prayer of the faithful in my church – like for the leaders in our country, for peace in our country, for the sick and homeless,for the Pope, bishop, priest.

    Reply
  46. Diane Villegas

    I am a new convert to Catholicism and have so much to learn. When I have questions, I turn to the many Catholic websites online but I get different answers and even different quotes from verses in the Bible. I looked up the original novena which is to be said during Jesus’ ascension to Heaven and the Pentecost and each website gives different prayers to recite. How or where can I get accurate information?

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Hi Diane,

      Because Catholicism is a world-wide church there are variations in English language Catholic websites, while the Bible has gone through different translations into English since print was invented. My advice is to remember that the Holy Spirit is everyone’s most important teacher, and will help you reach a calm personal decision on whatever differences you encounter. So pray as you read, always, remembering that peace of mind is one of the gifts that comes with prayer to the Holy Spirit. As Pope Francis tells us the truth is a person who makes His home with us, not trapped in text on the page. Don’t suppose that you need to master all the long unfamiliar words either. Jesus speaks always in simple words, to our hearts, and the Holy Spirit will give us simple words also, as will any good Christian teacher.

      You may encounter websites that try to stir up division in the church, for example by attacking Pope Francis. The Holy Spirit is also the spirit of peace and reconciliation – and that is another reason that prayer is necessary when reading on the Internet. Remember Jesus’s command always: ‘Love one another, as I have loved you.’ The Holy Spirit will be telling you the same, always.

      Welcome to ACI!

      Sean O’Conaill

      Reply
  47. Noel

    Hi Diane,
    I fully agree with Sean’s comments.

    I would also suggest that you perhaps look at Richard Rohr’s website and ‘The Centre for Action and Contemplation’. You could draw on his daily reflections which are accessible by email. Many people find his words inspirational, opening up challenging topics for consideration usually based on the core teaching of Jesus and the advice to focus on imitating Our Saviour in our daily life rather than placing God on a pedestal to be adored.
    I wish you every success in your journey on which I am sure, as Sean suggests, the Spirit will surely accompany you.

    Reply
  48. Maria Miranda

    Your post of the prayer of the faithful helps me a lot.I use it for our liturgy here in India for our English mass.Can you please post it a week before like a Sunday before.Thanks.Good work.God bless you.

    Reply
  49. Maria Miranda

    Would you please write for me the prayer of the faithful for Sunday July 14th 2019. I know your post is updated ever thursday but it is little late for me. Can u plz post it a Sunday before thanks. It helps me a lot for the Sunday English mass here in India. Thanks. Please mention for the rain. We need rain for our crops and our farmers.

    Reply
    • soconaill

      From ACI’s Prayer Editor:

      “Maria,

      Thank you for your message which is much appreciated. In our Prayers of the Faithful each week, we try to reflect the readings of the particular Sunday or Feast Day and relate them to the message which we see Jesus sending us.

      Additionally, we try to identify current concerns relating to what’s going on in people’s lives, in the Church and in the world. We try as far as possible to be immediate. To achieve this, the ultimate approach would be to prepare the prayers early on the Sunday morning or late Saturday night. As this is not practical, we set noon on the previous Thursday as our target deadline.

      This appears to be the favoured approach among the various parish personnel who use our website in the preparation and printing of their prayers. We wish God’s blessings on you in your mission of proclaiming the Word.”

      ACI Prayer Editor.

      ~

      And if you truly need a special prayer related to an immediate situation, Maria, remember that the Holy Spirit is equally close to all of us all the time – so just pray directly to the Holy Spirit, who will help you put words of your own to the need that you see. If you can comment here, you can do that too!

      Reply
  50. Mary E Gore

    Thank you for the prayers. They are very meaningful.We use them in Church and people like them because they are topical

    Reply
  51. Jalenga Moturi

    Grateful to have the prayers relevant to the days readings. Will certainly adopt this in our church am from Kenya

    Reply
  52. Joecollins

    Thank God for this site! Now I struggle less with fixing lines and intentions for prayer of the faithful in my Church!! I’m a Crossriverian

    Reply
  53. Neil Wickremaratne

    I am very grateful to the persons involved in this work as I often use this site and get guidance from it to prepare intentions for our parish in Welisara, Sri Lanka

    Reply
  54. Oswald Hall

    Relevant and topical, i am a deacon and I use these prayers every Sunday. I am In Jamaica

    Reply
  55. Patrick

    The comments here are very positive and richly deserved. These prayers are very well written, they are reading the times we live in very well and, unlike other sites, offering a response that is free of polemics and had a strong sense of what church really is. I use them in my parish all the times, having for many years written. These, however, are genuinely the prayers of a committed, engaged and well informed lay faithful. Thanks

    Reply
  56. Don Watson

    May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire you who have been given the gift to put into words what many of us find to be truly a challenge. Thank you for sharing your gift with us so that that can share them with our parishioners.

    Reply
  57. REMELYN PELOBELLO

    I am very delighted with this site because it provides an important part of the liturgy during Holy Mass. May God inspire the writer more so that Christians benefit from that gift of writing. My prayers, from “HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Nicosia Cyprus

    Reply
  58. Ann Marie Maedani

    This is really helpful for my spiritual growth. I remember one time when mothers in our local community took the liturgy, I search for faithful prayers because I will take it on that sunday. It was really inspiring for the congregation.Thank you and may God continues to blessed you more.God bless you and now we are blessed by your gift.S.t Vincent Den Paul:Holy family parish Solomon Islands.

    Reply
  59. Neil

    As per next Sunday reading LK2:22-40 Jesus is presented in the temple. However, 1st intention is based on beatitude. is it correct?

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Reply from Prayers Editor

      Well spotted Neil.

      This Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. February 2nd, however, each year marks the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. This year, both coincidentally fall on the same day and while normally the Sunday of Ordinary Time would take precedence, we have noted that in some dioceses this year the gospel readings being used are those of the Presentation, while in others it is the Beatitudes.

      When we were originally devising this week’s prayers, we were using a missalette which contained the Gospel reading from Matt 5; 1 – 12, the Beatitudes.

      Thanks for your input. We have now uploaded Prayers of the Faithful to cater for both approaches. Will have to rap the Holy Spirit on the knuckles for this one.

      Prayers Editor

      Reply
      • Nei

        Thank you for your explanation and being kind enough to add more intentions.

        Reply
  60. Jen

    Thank you so much to the writers of these prayers. It is extremely generous of you to share your gift in this way. God bless.

    Reply
  61. Mike Galea

    Thank you for your wonderful prayers. I use them all the time for my own Parish. Regards, Mike Galea from South Australia 🙂

    Reply
    • Candice

      Hi Mike, Good afternoon from here. I just come across this post and found you on the comment section. Are you a Priest?

      Reply
  62. Joe Nisha

    Thank you so much for publishing these prayers. May God bless.

    Reply
    • Ako Yvonne

      So inspiring

      Reply
  63. Emmanuel

    This is very useful

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Great to hear Emmmanuel! Where are you based?

      Reply
  64. desgilroy41

    Prayer of the Faithful

    We would like to draw to the attention of our readers of the Prayer of the Faithful section that, in our redesign of our webpage, we have installed a new log-in button in the centre of our Home Page. We apologise to all those who were unable to find this page during this redesign when it was only accessible under Resources/ Liturgy section. Normal service has now been resumed.

    Reply
  65. Soline Humbert

    As a member of ACI I have a simple request :Could you please replace the word ”Celebrant ” by ”Presider ”?
    The present clericalist usage of having a single celebrant named undermines the reality that
    the Eucharist is a communal celebration, where ALL celebrate.
    In this respect The Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland ( ACP) is ahead as it has already moved to ”Presider ” on its liturgical web page.
    Language does matter. Thank you.

    Reply
    • soconaill

      From our Prayers Editor

      Thank you Soline, for your comment.

      Point taken. Done.

      Reply
  66. Soline Humbert

    Thank you very much Seán for your prompt editing.
    Something we can all celebrate !:-)
    Soline

    Reply
  67. Ashuwa Saminu Babanwani

    Thank you so much for this. But please the headlines of the prayers should always be specify

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Our Prayer Editor has responded as follows:

      Ashuwa,
      Thank you for your comment and suggestion that the prayers contain “headlines” and that these headlines should always be specific. We are aware that some church guidelines also suggest this.
      However, as we try to reflect the gospel of the day and both the spiritual and temporal concerns of the faithful at the particular moment, we find that approach to be formulaic and restrictive. We note also that, at least here in Ireland, a similar approach is being taken in official church publications in devising the Sunday prayers.
      That said, should any congregations wish to take the headline approach, we have no issue with their editing our prayers to fit within that formula.

      Reply
  68. Jacob Ahuno

    Wow! this is great. How do I sign up for this in my mail.
    This will be useful for my Outstation (St. Cecilia Catholic Church) in Ghana

    God bless you all

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Just file the address of this ‘Prayers’ page, Jacob – and come back every Thursday. As this is a regular web service an email version or reminder is unnecessary and would require us to maintain an email circulation list to no purpose.

      Reply
  69. Becky Diederich

    Thank you for these wonderful prayers! We recently discovered this website here in Ohio, USA

    Reply
  70. Re. Elie Zouein

    Thank you for your wonderful prayers. I use them all the time for my own Parish. Regards,Rev. Elie Zouein from Saint Charbel’s Parish (Lebanese Maronite Rite ) Fredericton NB Canada

    Reply
  71. Ronald Machoka Ratemo

    Thank you so much for the prayers. they are spiritually enriching indeed. Be blessed.

    Reply
  72. Appreciative in California

    Such perfect prayers for these difficult times! All of your efforts and goodwill help the rest of us connect and hover together, so to speak, in God’s flock. Pax vobiscum.

    Reply
  73. Thomas Aloma Gogra

    Thanks for your prayers. They have been very inspiring. I hope I will be receiving them through my mail. Again thanks for the good work.

    Reply
    • soconaill

      We are grateful for this tribute, Thomas, but don’t have the resources to compile and maintain a mailing list. The latter is in any case surplus to requirements as the Prayer Page is updated weekly, on Thursdays, and can always be found at the same address.

      Reply
  74. Deacon Lou Leonatti

    Thank you for these wonderful and topical prayers. I am a Deacon at St. Brendan Parish in Mexico, Mo. USA. You add thoughtfulness and contemplation to our Liturgy. God Bless

    Reply
  75. Aidan Hart

    The above Act of Spiritual Communion is bad theology, misleading spirituality and unscriptural. Asking God to come into our souls denies our Christian belief, based on Sacred Scripture and ancient tradition, that He is already there, has been from the moment of our conception and will be until the moment of our death when we are invited by God to be with Him in paradise for all eternity. The act of Spiritual Communion, as with Eucharist and other sacraments, is to strengthen and deepen that awareness and draw us, support us and guide us into realising it’s implications for living our daily Christian lives

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Our Prayers Editor thanks Aidan for this comment and explains:

      “Aidan, you raise an interesting question, the answer to which would be totally out of my grasp of theology and hopefully some of our more knowledgeable theologians will clarify this matter. The prayer originates with St Alphonsus Liguori, one of the Church’s most distinguished theologians and we considered it safe to go along with him until he was proven to be in error. Indeed, in 1831 such was his reputation as a brilliant theologian that Pope Gregory 16th advised that in all matters of theology it was safe to follow his (Alphonsus’s) opinions. On the prayer itself, the invite is to come spiritually into the heart, not the soul as you mention. God may be in our hearts and souls already but is it not spiritually desirable that we should proclaim to Him that he is so very welcome there?”

      Reply
  76. Aidan Hart

    Yes, Sean, God is in our hearts and souls already and it is spiritually desirable that we should proclaim to Him that He is so very welcome to be there. But that is different from implying that He is not there already and will arrive because of some prayer we have said or sacrament received.
    “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16
    “For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’ “ Acts 17:28
    “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5).
    Also Luke 17:21; John 7:38, 14:3; Romans 8:10-11; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Galatians 2:20.
    “When we pray to the Father, we are in communion with him and with his Son, Jesus Christ. Then we know and recognize him with an ever new sense of wonder. The first phrase of the Our Father is a blessing of adoration before it is a supplication. For it is the glory of God that we should recognize him as “Father,” the true God. We give him thanks for having revealed his name to us, for the gift of believing in it, and for the indwelling of his Presence in us.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2781)

    Whether or not God dwells in our hearts or souls is immaterial as these are figurative descriptions to explain that God dwells within us. Our Christian task is to work with the Holy Spirit to be always aware of that divine presence and in faith, adoration and loving service to others to develop a loving and lasting relationship with God present within us. Sin diminishes one’s awareness of that divine presence (and omnipresence), as grace enhances it. However, sin does not drive out the presence of God, as the Holy Spirit within us is constantly calling us to a deeper and more loving relationship and will keep calling until the day we die. Sin lessens or destroys our awareness of it. Faith is “ a deep and loving “yes” to God and to life that is inherent within each of us.” (Fr. Richard Rohr)

    Reply
  77. Aidan Hart

    Sean, it shouldn’t surprise us that bishops and priests are currently saying that Act of Spiritual Communion without reflecting on its theological implications. A worse example of that unreflecting attitude is the prayer at Mass which says “…that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God…” The Catholic Church teaches that there is only one sacrifice, that of Jesus the Christ. At Mass we are identifying, through the ancient Israelite and Jewish concept of being present through remembering, with Christ’s original sacrifice, not offering a new sacrifice. So at Mass it is not “my sacrifice and yours” but our becoming present at Christ’s original sacrifice on the cross by gathering as a community to remember it and, in receiving Communion (His Real Presence), to renew and strengthen our faith (our relationship of love with God and He with us) and our awareness of being present to God and He to us, from the moment of our conception to the time of our death and reflecting on how that divine presence within us influences our faith and way of life.

    Reply
  78. Violet

    thank you for the topical prayers of the faithful. I came across them by chance. I am a lector in my local church in Nairobi, Kenya and I now use them every time I am scheduled for readings. many people in the church have given positive comments whenever I use them. Thank you for the great work. it has enhanced my growth, spiritually.

    Reply
  79. Tom Hannon.

    To the person or people who compose and publish the Prayers of The Faithful each week a sincere and huge ‘thank you’ and much appreciation. They are so topical and relevant to our daily concerns, needs and our daily life situations . They are a wonderful resource. I find them most helpful and practical.
    With renewed gratitude and appreciation

    Reply
  80. Maria Tawake-Watta

    i look forward to using the prayers of the faithful especially the first prayer as it relates to that particular Sunday’s readings and in certain cases insert what ever is applicable to the current situations/circumstances that is faced in our beloved country, Fiji but otherwise, good job and i must congratulate you and thank you so much for sharing on a weekly basis not only for use in Ireland but also other parts of the world.

    Reply
  81. A Lynch

    I use the prayers of the faithful from this site often. It represents the prayers of the community and the prayers are always relevant.

    Reply
  82. Mary McGuinness, Parish Secretary

    Good Shepherd Parish, Andover, NJ, USA
    I refer to your Prayers of the Faithful every week when I am working on my Sunday prep. They are always so relevant to what is going on in the world! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  83. Eoin Sharkey

    Hello,

    Hope you are well. I came across this interesting site when searching for Bidding prayers/Prayers of the Faithful in Irish (i.e. Gaelic). My local church in England is asking people to say bidding prayers in the language of their country for Pentecost (4/June — i.e. next Sun). I blithely agreed without thinking too much of it.

    Of course my long distant Leaving Cert Irish is not really up to the task, so I wondered if it is something ACI can help with — either by translating this week’s prayers, or even if you have some generic examples from usual bidding prayer list as Gaeilge.

    Thanks in advance if you can help.

    Reply
  84. Paschal Hanrahan

    Such wonderfully scripted, prayerful, contemporary and topical prayers. Thank you so much.

    Reply
  85. Br.Augustine

    Thank you for a wonderful prayer

    Reply
  86. Noreen Gois

    Good evening!

    Thank you for sharing your prayers of the the faithful with all. It really helps me prepare the Prayers of the Faithful for our Parish. I could not open this site for a good 6 months and am so very glad to reconnect once again. God bless you all for sharing ! A little request could I receive them a little earlier as Tomorrow as we would be having kids do the prayers of the faithful and they would require a practice. Will truly appreciate! Thank you!

    Reply
  87. Leanne

    Thank you for the prayers. We find them a great resource in our parish when writing the prayers of the faithful each week being inspired and able to adapt such lovely prayers that are so kindly provided.

    Reply
  88. REV. JOHN J LUDVIK

    How can I get on your EMAIL LIST OR HOW DO i FIND THE PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL FOR EACH SUNDAY OR DAILY MASS. FR. JOHN J LUDVIK

    Reply
    • soconaill

      Hi Rev John,

      There is a prominent button for the ‘Prayer of the Faithful’ page centred on our front page, at.

      http://www.acireland.ie

      Just click that button to get there. You can save that URL link as well for future quicker use, as that link remains the same from week to week.

      As this page is updated around midday every Thursday, anyone can access it then or later from anywhere in the world. It would not make any sense to maintain an email list of users as well, and we do not have the resources for that anyway.

      Regards,

      Sean O’Conaill

      Reply

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ACI’s Campaign for Lumen Gentium 37

The Promise of Synodality

What we have experienced of synodality so far gives ACI real hope that a longstanding structural injustice in the church may at last be acknowledged and overcome.

As all Irish bishops well know, the 'co-responsibility' they urge lay people to share - as numbers and energies of clergy decline - has been sabotaged time and again by canonical rules that deny representational authority and continuity to parish pastoral councils.  ACI's 2019 call for the immediate honouring of Lumen Gentium Article 37 becomes more urgent by the day and is supported by the following documents - also presented to the ICBC in October 2019.

The Common Priesthood of the People of God and the Renewal of the Church
It was Catholic parents and victims of clerical abuse who taught Catholic Bishops to prioritise the safeguarding of children in the church

Jesus as Model for the Common Priesthood of the People of God
It was for challenging religious hypocrisy and injustice that Jesus was accused and crucified. He is therefore a model for the common priesthood of the laity and for the challenging of injustice - in society and within the church.

A Suggested Strategy for the Recovery of the Irish and Western Catholic Church
Recovery of the church depends upon acknowledgment of the indispensable role of the common priesthood of the lay people of God and the explicit abandonment by bishops and clergy of paternalism and clericalism - the expectation of deference from lay people rather than honesty and integrity.

For the full story of ACI's campaign for the honouring of Article 37 of Lumen Gentium, click here.

Prayer

"Come Holy Spirit, Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen."

Saint Pope John XXIII, 1962 - In preparation for Vatican Council II, 1962-65.

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