Catholic Wedding Prayers of the Faithful: 20 Examples & Writing Guide
Your parish has asked you to choose or prepare the Catholic wedding prayers of the faithful, and you are staring at a blank page. You are not alone. These short intentions invite everyone at your wedding to pray together for the Church, the world, people in need, and the two of you as you begin married life.
This guide gives you 20 sample intentions, a shorter six-intention sample set, and practical help for presenting this part of the ceremony in your wedding program. Choose a balanced handful, adapt the names, and confirm everything with your parish.
In this guide:
What the prayers of the faithful are
20 sample intentions
A short sample set
How to choose and personalize
Remembering deceased loved ones
Who reads the prayers
Including them in your wedding program
Frequently asked questions
This guide applies to weddings celebrated in the current Roman Rite. Traditional Latin Mass and Eastern Catholic weddings follow their own forms, so ask your parish about those.
What Are the Prayers of the Faithful at a Catholic Wedding?
You may hear this part of the ceremony called the prayers of the faithful, the intercessions, or the petitions. Its formal name is the Universal Prayer. The Church's guidance for Mass describes it as the moment when the people, having heard God's word, offer prayers for the salvation of all in exercise of their baptismal priesthood.
The pattern is simple. The priest (or deacon, at a wedding without Mass) briefly invites everyone to pray. A reader then announces each intention, and the congregation answers with a short response. A common response is "Lord, hear our prayer," though your parish may use another. The celebrant closes with a prayer, and all respond "Amen."
In the current wedding rite, the Universal Prayer comes after the celebration of Matrimony itself: the vows, the reception of consent, and the blessing and giving of rings. It is separate from the vows and from the Nuptial Blessing, which the celebrant prays over the couple later in the ceremony. When the Creed is required on a particular day, it follows the Universal Prayer in the wedding Mass.
20 Catholic Wedding Prayers of the Faithful Examples
Please read first: these 20 wedding prayers of the faithful examples are original suggestions written for this guide. They are not official liturgical texts or universally approved wording. Many parishes supply their own set, edit couples' drafts, or have local preferences, so share your choices with your priest, deacon, or wedding coordinator before anything is final.
The Church's guidance describes the usual pattern of intentions: for the Church, for public authorities and the world, for those in difficulty, and for the local community. It also allows the intentions at a marriage to focus more closely on the occasion. A good set therefore keeps a balance. Choose a few for the wider Church and world, a few for the two of you, and perhaps one for those who have died, rather than selecting only prayers about yourselves.
After each intention, the reader pauses and the congregation responds:
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Replace each [Name] with the correct name, and adjust wording to fit your family.
For the Church and the World
For the holy Church throughout the world, that she may proclaim the Gospel with courage and joy and draw every person closer to the love of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
For the Pope, our bishop, and all priests, deacons, and religious, that they may serve God's people with humility, wisdom, and faithful care, let us pray to the Lord.
For all who hold public office, that they may seek justice, protect human dignity, and work generously for the common good of every community, let us pray to the Lord.
For peace among nations, and for all who suffer because of war, violence, or forced displacement, that they may find safety, healing, and lasting peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the Newly Married Couple
For [Name] and [Name], joined today in Holy Matrimony, that they may remain faithful to the promises they have made and grow in love throughout their lives, let us pray to the Lord.
For [Name] and [Name], that they may serve one another with patience, forgive each other readily, and find each day new ways to share Christ's love, let us pray to the Lord.
For the home that [Name] and [Name] will build together, that it may be a place of prayer, peace, and generous welcome to family, friends, and strangers, let us pray to the Lord.
For [Name] and [Name], that they may trust in God's faithful love in times of joy and in times of hardship, and turn to him together in every season, let us pray to the Lord.
For Families, Friends, and the Parish Community
For the parents and guardians of [Name] and [Name], and for all who have supported them with love and guidance, that God may bless them for their generosity, let us pray to the Lord.
For the relatives and friends gathered here today, that this celebration may strengthen the bonds between them and renew their own commitment to love one another, let us pray to the Lord.
For family members and friends who could not be with us today, that they may know they are remembered with love and held in God's care, let us pray to the Lord.
For this parish community, and for all who accompany engaged and married couples, that they may continue to support families with faith, prayer, and friendship, let us pray to the Lord.
For People Facing Difficulties
For all who are sick in body, mind, or spirit, and for those who care for them, that they may receive comfort, strength, and the healing presence of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
For all who grieve and all who are lonely, that they may find consolation in God's love and in the companionship of people who care for them, let us pray to the Lord.
For those who lack food, shelter, work, or financial security, that they may receive what they need, and that we may respond to them with generous hearts, let us pray to the Lord.
For married couples and families facing hardship, strain, or division, that God may grant them healing, wise counsel, and the help they need to find safety and peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For Deceased Loved Ones
For our deceased relatives and friends, that God in his mercy may forgive their sins and bring them into eternal rest, let us pray to the Lord.
For [Name], beloved [mother/father] of [Name], who has gone before us, that God in his mercy may grant [her/him] eternal rest and the joy of his presence, let us pray to the Lord.
For [Name] and [Name], grandparents of [Name], and for all the departed loved ones we remember today, that they may rest in the peace of God's mercy, let us pray to the Lord.
For all the faithful departed, especially those who have no one to remember them, that God may welcome them into the light of his presence, let us pray to the Lord.
A Short Sample Set for Your Wedding
Here is one way six intentions from the list above might fit together. The arrangement is illustrative only. Your parish may prefer a different order, a different number, or its own texts, and this is not a substitute for the liturgical book your celebrant uses.
Celebrant's introduction: [Supplied or confirmed by your parish]
Reader:
For the holy Church throughout the world, that she may proclaim the Gospel with courage and joy and draw every person closer to the love of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
For all who hold public office, that they may seek justice, protect human dignity, and work generously for the common good of every community, let us pray to the Lord.
For [Name] and [Name], joined today in Holy Matrimony, that they may remain faithful to the promises they have made and grow in love throughout their lives, let us pray to the Lord.
For the parents and guardians of [Name] and [Name], and for all who have supported them with love and guidance, that God may bless them for their generosity, let us pray to the Lord.
For all who are sick in body, mind, or spirit, and for those who care for them, that they may receive comfort, strength, and the healing presence of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deceased relatives and friends, that God in his mercy may forgive their sins and bring them into eternal rest, let us pray to the Lord.
Congregation, after each intention: Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant's concluding prayer: [Supplied by your parish]
All: Amen.
How to Choose and Personalize Your Wedding Intercessions
Preparing your Catholic wedding intercessions works best as a short, collaborative process. You will likely make similar decisions when choosing your Catholic wedding readings, so it can help to handle both at once.
Ask your parish first. Find out whether they supply a set of intentions, offer options to choose from, or welcome couples to propose their own.
Choose a balanced range. Include wider needs of the Church and world alongside prayers for your marriage and families. The intercessions are the whole community's prayer, not a speech about the two of you.
Add names only where they help. A name can make a prayer more personal, but it is not required in every intention. Check spelling and pronunciation for anyone named.
Keep one clear intention per petition. Use the same ending each time so guests know exactly when to respond.
Read the draft aloud. If a line is hard to say in one breath, shorten it.
Send it for parish review. Wait for approval before you finalize the reader's copy or send your program to print.
How many should you choose? The sources consulted for this guide do not set a universal number, and practice varies. As an editorial starting point, four to six intentions is a manageable draft for many couples. Your parish's instructions take priority.
A note on delicate family situations. If your family includes estrangement, loss, or other painful history, broad wording is appropriate. A phrase such as "all who have supported them with love" honors the people who matter without disclosing private circumstances. The prayer does not need to tell your family's story.
Remembering Deceased Loved Ones in the Prayers
Many couples want to remember a parent or grandparent who has died. Wedding prayers for deceased loved ones are a natural fit here, because praying for the dead is part of the Church's prayer.
Naming someone. You may want to name a parent or grandparent, as in examples 18 and 19. Ask your parish whether they prefer names or general wording.
Remembering several people. Rather than reading a long list, use one intention with a few names, or a general petition such as example 17. A separate list can appear elsewhere if your parish permits it.
Keeping it prayerful. Pray for God's mercy and eternal rest. Avoid phrases that declare someone is certainly in heaven or has become an angel. The petition entrusts them to God; it is not a eulogy.
Petition or program note? A prayer intention is spoken during the liturgy. A memorial note in your program, such as a short line remembering loved ones, is a separate tribute guests read on their own. Many couples use both.
Who Reads the Prayers of the Faithful?
The celebrant introduces the prayer and concludes it. The individual intentions may be announced by a deacon, cantor, reader, or one of the lay faithful. Who reads at your wedding is arranged with your parish. Some parishes welcome a family member or friend; others assign a deacon or parish minister. Ask before you invite anyone.
Once your reader is confirmed, a little preparation helps:
Give them the final, approved text in large, readable type.
Confirm the spelling and pronunciation of every name.
Practice the pause after each intention so the congregation can respond.
Coordinate where to stand, the microphone, and any accessibility needs at the rehearsal.
For more on that day, see our guide to preparing for your Catholic wedding rehearsal.
How to Include the Prayers of the Faithful in Your Wedding Program
Your program helps guests follow the ceremony, especially those less familiar with Catholic liturgy. For the prayers of the faithful, two layouts work well. Either way, follow your parish's preferences.
Option 1: Simple listing. Print the heading, the reader's name if you wish, and the congregational response. This keeps the program clean and tells guests exactly what to say.
Option 2: Full text. If you prefer more detail and your booklet has room, print the approved intentions with the response. Use only the final, parish-approved wording.
A compact layout might look like this:
Prayer of the Faithful [Reader's name], [relationship, if desired] Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Whichever option you choose, the reader needs a separate copy in large, legible type. A guest program is designed to be compact, and its type is usually too small to read from comfortably at the ambo.
An editable wedding program can help you organize each part of the ceremony and make the responses easy for guests to follow. Our Catholic wedding program templates are designed for Catholic ceremonies; layouts and space vary by design, so check that your chosen template fits the amount of text you plan to include. If you are still deciding on a format, this guide will help you choose the right Catholic wedding program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we write our own prayers of the faithful for a Catholic wedding?
Often, yes. Many parishes welcome couples to propose intentions, and the Church's guidance allows wedding intentions to reflect the occasion. Your celebrant has the final say, so submit your draft for review.
How many wedding intercessions should we choose?
There is no universal number in the sources consulted for this guide. Four to six is a reasonable editorial starting point, but follow your parish's instructions.
Are wedding petitions and prayers of the faithful the same thing?
Yes. "Petitions," "intercessions," "prayers of the faithful," and "Universal Prayer" all describe the same part of the ceremony. The Universal Prayer is the formal liturgical name.
Can we mention deceased parents or grandparents?
Usually, yes. Pray for their eternal rest and God's mercy, and confirm with your parish whether they prefer names or general wording. Examples 17 to 20 offer options.
Are the prayers of the faithful included in a Catholic wedding without Mass?
Yes. In the current Roman Rite's Order of Celebrating Matrimony without Mass, the Universal Prayer follows the blessing and giving of rings. Other forms of the rite and specific circumstances can differ, so confirm the order with your celebrant.
Do we have to print every intention in the wedding program?
No. Many couples print only the heading and the response. Printing the full text is optional, and the reader should always have a separate copy.
Preparing a Prayer Your Whole Congregation Can Share
The prayers of the faithful are a gift you offer your guests: a moment to pray together for the Church, the world, and your new marriage. Choose clear, balanced intentions, confirm them with your parish, and prepare a readable final copy for your reader. When you are ready to present your ceremony beautifully, browse our Catholic wedding program templates.
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