General Intercessions

200. According to IG 69, "It is appropriate that this prayer be included in all Masses celebrated with a congregation ...". [The English study translation omitted this sentence, but it is in the Latin text, and remains the same as the last sentence of GIRM 45.]

201. The people are to be standing. They either make a response after each intercession, or pray in silence (IG 71). The priest celebrant directs the general intercessions from the chair. He introduces them with a brief remark which invites the faithful to pray.

202. "As a rule, the intentions are announced from the ambo or another suitable place, either by the deacon or cantor, or even by the reader or a member of the lay faithful." (IG 71). It is interesting to note that no provision is made for several people to queue up and read one intention each. Nor, following IG 109, is it appropriate for one person to read the first part of the intention and then have a cantor finish it.

2002 IG 202 removes the words translated as "As a rule,".

203. IG 138, makes the additional point that the intentions are announced, "while facing the people".

204. According to IG 70, "As a rule the sequence of intentions is to be:
a. for the needs of the Church;
b. for public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;
c. for those oppressed by any need;
d. for the local community.
In particular celebrations, such as confirmations, marriages, or funerals, the series of intercessions may refer more specifically to the occasion."

205. For Mass with a deacon, "the deacon ... announces the intentions of the general intercessions..." (IG 94). This is also reflected in IG 197 "When no deacon is present ... the reader may announce the intentions".

2002 IG 197 removes the word "lector" meaning "the reader". I am unsure how this changes the instruction, as it cannot be referring to anyone but the lector.

206. For Mass without a congregation, with only one minister, according to IG 264, the priest gives the intentions and the minister makes the response.

2002 IG 264 changes this so the priest says the opening and closing prayer and the minister says the intentions.

207. For Mass with Morning Prayer, from the Liturgy of the Hours, "on weekdays, at Mass in the morning, the intercessions of morning prayer may replace the daily form of the general intercessions at Mass." (GILH 94).

208. For Mass with Special Groups (n. 6h): "The general intercessions ... may be adapted ... Care is to be taken against complete omission of the general intentions for the Church, the world, brothers and sisters beset by needs, and the assembly present. Those present at the rite may add some particular intention, properly prepared ahead of time." [Actio Pastoralis, 15 May 1969, n 6h. Documents on the Liturgy (Minnesota, Liturgical Press, 1982) page 674.]

209. For Mass with a Bishop "when no deacon is present, the reader announces the intentions of the general intercessions" (CB 31).

210. For a Stational Mass: "one of the deacons, the cantor, a reader, or some other person announces the intercessions" (CB 144).

211. No provision is made for the general intercessions to include a prayer said by everyone, such as the Hail Mary or a parish prayer. It would be surprising if the Apostolic See even permitted the Hail Mary as an inculturation experiment (following IG 395) since according to the 1994 Instruction on the Roman Liturgy and Inculturation, n 45: "The introduction of devotional practices into liturgical celebrations under the pretext of inculturation cannot be allowed "because by its nature, (the liturgy) is superior to them." (Footnote: Sacrosanctum Concilium, n 13)". Also in Marialis Cultus, n 48, Pope Paul VI wrote: "it is a mistake to recite the rosary during the celebration of the liturgy".

212. The priest concludes the general intercessions with a prayer (IG 71, 138). After the intercessions, all sit (IG 139).

<<Previous
Next>>