The Collegeville Prayer of the Faithful ↗
A collection of general intercessions organized for Years A, B, and C.
Guides and resources
Prayers of the Faithful Books and Preparation Resources
A book of intercessions can offer a useful starting point, but it serves a different purpose from the Roman Missal or a ritual book. Choose a resource for the task: examples to adapt, current Sunday preparation, or the prescribed texts and instructions of a celebration. Check the edition and lectionary cycle before relying on a dated volume.
Prayer collections for inspiration
The Collegeville Prayer of the Faithful by Michael Kwatera and Lord, Hear Our Prayer by Jay Cormier are published collections intended to help with intercession preparation. Consult the publisher’s current descriptions and terms rather than assuming a book is a source of unrestricted website content.
The Roman Missal and ritual books
The Roman Missal contains prescribed prayers and instructions for Mass. It is not simply another collection of optional examples. For an ordination, profession, baptism, funeral, or other rite, use the appropriate approved book and the local Church’s arrangements.
Annual and dated editions
A volume labeled with a past year is not automatically current. Confirm the year, lectionary cycle, regional observance, and any permission needed for reproduction. Recheck names and current needs even when the wording is otherwise suitable.
Four Catholic resources for preparing intercessions
These are four identifiable Catholic publishing resources, not a sales ranking. We do not have verified sales data to call them the “four most popular” books. Compare the format and calendar coverage with your parish’s needs.
The Collegeville Prayer of the Faithful: General Intercessions for Years A, B, C, by Michael Kwatera, OSB (Liturgical Press, 2009). A three-cycle resource for intercessions shaped by Scripture and the Church year.
Lord, Hear Our Prayer: The Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses, by Jay Cormier (Liturgical Press, 1995). Covers the three Sunday cycles and particular celebrations, including introductory and concluding prayers.
Prayer of the Faithful 2027 (OCP). An annual large-print workbook with sample intercessions and practical help for composing and leading them. Select the edition for the liturgical year you are preparing, rather than assuming that dates in an older workbook still apply.
Prayer of the Faithful: Intercessions for Your Faith Community, Year A (Liturgy Training Publications). A downloadable Word and PDF collection for Sundays, solemnities, feasts of the Lord and US civic holidays. Its cycle-based pages are undated. The publisher specifies a licence for one institution; files may not be shared with others.
None replaces the approved liturgical books or the celebrant’s judgement. Check names, current circumstances, the selected readings and permissions before reproducing copyrighted material.
Reference resources
Lord, Hear Our Prayer ↗
Intercession preparation for Sundays, holy days, and ritual Masses.
Roman Missal overview ↗
An explanation of the Missal’s purpose and role in Mass.
Prepared with GIRM 69–71 as the guiding standard: brief, sober intentions for the Church, the world, people in difficulty, and the local community, with an introduction and conclusion for the priest. These original examples may be adapted for the celebration and reviewed by the celebrant.
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Preparing these prayers.
Which is the best Catholic prayer book for intercessions?
Choose according to the task. A collection supplies examples; a current preparation resource helps with dates and readings; an approved ritual book supplies prescribed texts. No single book replaces all three roles.
Can I copy prayers from a book onto a public website?
Do not assume a purchase includes online republication rights. Follow the publisher’s terms and any required permission. Universal Prayers provides its own original examples.
Should I buy a 2025 edition for current weekly prayers?
A past-year edition may be useful for study, but it should not be treated as a current calendar without checking its dates, cycle, and local observances.
