Intercessions QUESTION from Bob Hester February 27, 2000 During the intercessions, should we repeat the short responsorial such as Lord hear our prayer after each intercession? I've noticed in some cases it appears in italics after each prayer in the intercessions, but typically it appears only once. I'm just a layperson, but I want to do it right. Thanks.
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, O.L.S.M. on March 1, 2000 Dear Mr. Hester:
The response in italics is optional, especially in private recitation.
When said in a group, the priest or whoever leads may say both parts of the intention and the people respond with the uniform response in italics.
Or, and this is the way we do it, the leader sings the first part of the intention, and the people sing the latter half and the response in italics is not said aloud.
Our practice has been to for the leader to sing the introduction followed by a pause long enough to say the response in italics silently to oneself. I do this in private recitation as well.
In private recitation I sing both the first and second half of the intention, but not the response in italics, except once silently between the intro and the first intention.
While we are on the subject of Intentions, after going through the intentions in the book, you are permitted to add your own particular intentions.
God Bless.
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