Dear Catholic Exchange,
There are times when the priest in our parish omits the prayers of the faithful in the mass. Is it permissable to omit the prayers of the faithful in the mass?
Sol Magat
Philippines
Dear Mr. Magat,
Peace in Christ!
There are times when the prayer of the faithful, or general intercessions, are omitted, usually when there is another rite included in the Mass. The recently celebrated Chrism Mass, for example, omits the general intercessions. Generally, the prayer of the faithful is included in Sunday Mass.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, as it addresses the prayer of the faithful, speaks of its function as well as its use:
In the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world (no. 69).
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy, (SC) states that "the prayer of the faithful is to be restored after the gospel and homily, especially on Sundays and Holy days of obligation" (SC, no. 53).
I hope this is helpful.
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Director of Catholic Responses
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
