Our conversation with God takes many forms. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches five ways that conversation takes place:  words of blessing and silent adoration; petition that acknowledges our dependence on God; intercessory prayer which asks not for oneself but for the good of others; thanksgiving which acknowledges all that God has done for us; and heartfelt praise “the form of prayer which recognizes most immediately that God is God.” 

This past week, we celebrated the feast of Saint Rose of Lima. Saint Rose is known for her austere life and rigorous penitence from an early age. It is remarkable that someone who was so obviously good and holy lives such a penitential life. But with the recognition also of Saint Rose’s concern for the poor and the sick, and her own charitable work for their good, we understand that much of her penance was that of an intercessory nature. Her penance was offered for the good of those who would not or could not do the acts of penance to make up for the temporal effects of sin. 

Intercessory prayer is sacrificial in nature. We spend time and effort for the good of another and not for our own benefit. Through intercessory prayer, we come to appreciate more the nature of the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery. As Saint Paul teaches in Philippians, “though [Christ] was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” All that Christ did was for us.

As the Body of Christ in the World, the Church follows Christ’s example, and thus intercessory prayer is a major part of what we do. The Universal Prayers at the Eucharist, formerly translated as General Intercessions, are the most solemn expressions of the people of God praying for the good of others. While particular petitions for individuals are certainly appropriate and necessary, and prayers of petition that include our own benefit make up many of the prayers, the prayers should reflect especially those groups of people in most need of the Divine Assistance. In choosing the word “intercession” for these prayers, the Church was showing a preference for the intentions a prayer is offered. One prayer each weekend an intercession for the parish is prayed to reflect the pastor’s obligation to intercede for the good of his parishioners. The Mass Intention or Offering is another beautiful expression of intercessory prayer. The Universal Prayers are meant to remind us that we pray always as a Church, united as the people of God throughout the world. Therefore we must call to mind the needs of the Church and our brothers and sisters in need throughout the whole world.

This past year, I have introduced different responses to the intercessions as a way to call attention to the individual prayers. I do this firstly for myself. I’m only human and celebrating four Masses on a weekend requires attention and focus. Changing up the responses to the intercessions helps me be more mindful and present during the Universal Prayers and I hope it does the same for the congregation. 

How we as a community pray the Universal Prayers, not just in regard to the content of our prayers, but the nature of our attention to the needs of others as reflected in the prayers, is a good indicator of the quality of our worship. The Universal Prayers are at a turning point in the Mass. The Liturgy of the Word concludes and the intercessions are offered. We transition from a more passive, receptive form of participation in listening to God’s Word, to a more active, expressive type of prayer. The General Intercessions assist us in turning our minds to the needs of others, and therefore when we offer our gifts on the altar, we not only place them for ourselves, but for all “those who are dear to us.” 

The Universal Prayers help us to join our sacrificial prayer of intercession to the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And we can see most clearly how intercessory prayer is always a prayer of sacrifice:  we offer for the good of others, not asking anything for ourselves, but as the fullest expression of charity. I invite all of us to be mindful of these intercessions and join in with a heartfelt desire that God hear our prayers and assist  those for whom we pray.