April 15, 2009

‘We all rise together and offer prayers’: A look at the Prayer of the Faithful

By Deacon Jeff Norfolk

What is the Prayer of the Faithful? What is its origin?

Upon being ordained a transitional deacon I was given the responsibility to compose these prayers at the Masses I was assisting at. Only then did I realize more deeply what these beautiful prayers were and the importance the Church places upon them. Particularly my discovery and understanding came through the wisdom of The General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” 

Learning about the origin of these ancient prayers will help you understand their role within the celebration of the holy Eucharist. In the year 155 St. Justin Martyr explained the place of these prayers within the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. He teaches us, “Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves … and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation” (CCC 1345).

Benedictine Adrian Nocent continues this explanation of the history and present use of the Prayer of the Faithful within a two-volume series dedicated to the liturgy of Vatican II, “The Liturgy of Vatican II: A Symposium” edited by Guilherme Barauna and Jovian Lang, Franciscan Herald Press (Chicago, 1966). Little study is necessary to see that this prayer has developed greatly since the second century.

Now let us look at the disposition the faithful are encouraged to have to enter into this part of liturgy. Immediately following the Creed on Sundays “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.” This quote from the General Instruction echoes the words of St. Justin Martyr. The General Instruction adds that before the Liturgy of the Word comes to a close the celebrant through “a brief introduction…invites the faithful to pray.” This invitation can be a powerful moment for the faithful to help them transition into the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

This offering of prayers begins the process of the faithful laying their needs and concerns before the Lord, which the offertory continues. This combined offering of prayers and placing of concerns upon the altar will soon be offered to the Heavenly Father through the Eucharistic Prayer. The person composing these intercessions prior to Mass or at the present moment should be attentive to this transitional moment or the entrance into the Liturgy of the Eucharist can be jarring. Invoking the Holy Spirit can help bring about a smooth transition.

With a deeper understanding of the disposition of the faithful that surrounds this part of the liturgy let us look to practical rules of how the appropriate minister can formulate such intentions. The General Instruction states in paragraph 70:

As a rule, the series of intentions is to be:

For the needs of the Church;
For public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;
For those burdened by any kind of difficulty;
For the local community.
Nevertheless, in a particular celebration, such as confirmation, marriage, or a funeral, the series of intentions may reflect more closely the particular occasion.

As important as understanding what particular needs to pray for is how these needs are announced. The General Instruction notes, “The intentions announced should be sober, be composed freely but prudently, and be succinct, and they should express the prayer of the entire community.”

Another aid in composing such intentions can be found in the back of the Sacramentary.  This appendix of optional prayers for the needs of different seasons of the liturgical year can be helpful. As mentioned above, additions or alterations can be made to these aids to “express the prayer of the entire community” present.

I hope the next time you compose these intentions or you as a member of the congregation enter into this time of prayer, this transition into the Liturgy of the Eucharist, you see its importance more deeply. The Holy Spirit wishes to assist you in praying for your personal needs as well as the needs of the Church, public authorities, the burdened and the local community.

Deacon Jeff Norfolk is a seminarian at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.

Tips for composing the Prayer of the Faithful

• While listening to the homily, pick out the central, most important point the homilist is making and tie that into the Prayer of the Faithful.
• Be attentive to current events within the Church and nation that are on peoples’ minds and hearts.
• Use the four recommendations of the General Instruction and try to place an intention into each category: 1. Church; 2. Nation; 3. Burdened; 4. Local community
• Pray to the Holy Spirit