PRAYERS FOR YOUR CELEBRATION
When Are the Prayers of the Faithful Said at Mass?
At an ordinary Mass with a congregation, the Universal Prayer belongs near the end of the Liturgy of the Word. It follows the homily and, when it is said, the Creed. The preparation of the gifts comes afterwards. The priest introduces the prayer, the intentions are announced, the people participate, and the priest concludes. That basic sequence answers where the prayers belong, but it does not determine every practical movement in a particular church. A wedding, funeral, or other ritual celebration should be prepared using its proper order and the celebrant’s direction.
Our original prayer examples follow the composition principles of GIRM 69–70 and GIRM 71. They are not officially approved texts; review the final wording with the celebrant.
A short sequence to remember
Readings and Gospel; homily; Creed when prescribed; Universal Prayer; preparation of the gifts. The intentions are not inserted into the Eucharistic Prayer or postponed until after Communion merely to make room for announcements.
Who begins and who ends
The priest gives a brief introduction and the concluding prayer. The minister announcing the intentions should wait for that introduction and leave space at the end for the priest’s conclusion.
When the congregation responds
After each intention, the people join through the agreed invocation or silence. The reader should not rush into the next petition while that participation is still taking place.
Standing and participation
GIRM describes the people standing for this prayer. Anyone who cannot stand should follow appropriate pastoral and accessibility arrangements. A reader’s guide should not make physical ability a test of participation.
When the reader approaches
Agree the movement before Mass. The ambo location, presence of a deacon, choir arrangements, and parish practice can affect the cue. Do not wait for a guessed signal or improvise a procession because an unrelated video showed one.
Special celebrations
Use the relevant approved rite and local instructions. Good Friday in particular has its prescribed Solemn Intercessions, not an ordinary six-petition set placed into a normal Sunday-Mass outline. The related guide explains that distinction.
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Preparing these prayers.
Are the intentions before or after the offertory?
In the ordinary sequence described here, they are before the preparation of the gifts. They complete the communal prayer of the Liturgy of the Word before the next part of Mass.
What if the Creed is not said?
Do not add a Creed just to create a place marker. Follow the actual order of the celebration; the Universal Prayer can still follow the homily as appropriate.
Do I need to walk up during the Creed?
That is a local movement question, not a rule this page can settle for every church. Ask the celebrant or coordinator for the agreed cue.
Are bidding prayers at a funeral always in the same place?
Follow the order of the funeral celebration being used and the parish’s instructions. A funeral Mass and a service outside Mass should not be treated as identical.
