When and how does one pray for the forgiveness of brothers and sisters in Christ?

[EHRAM]

During the prayer of confession during the mass, one asks “Blessed Mary, ever-virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.”

I don’t remember learning in RCIA when and how one should pray for the forgiveness of one’s brothers and sisters in Christ. I normally offer a quick, silent, prayer immediately after we pray the prayer of confession, but I’m not sure it is proper to do so while the priest is speaking. Our priest does not pause before he starts speaking.

Is there a particular prayer we should pray for this purpose and when should we pray it?

 

[Sr_Sally]

I love that phrase. Usually I pray directly after Mass or as part of my post-communion prayers. I don’t think the request needs to be responded to immediately.

During the prayer of confession during the mass, one asks “Blessed Mary, ever-virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.”

I don’t remember learning in RCIA when and how one should pray for the forgiveness of one’s brothers and sisters in Christ. I normally offer a quick, silent, prayer immediately after we pray the prayer of confession, but I’m not sure it is proper to do so while the priest is speaking. Our priest does not pause before he starts speaking.

Is there a particular prayer we should pray for this purpose and when should we pray it?

 

[baltobetsy]

Immediately after the prayer you quoted (the Confiteor), we say the Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy). You could form the intention to pray this for the forgiveness of everyone rather than just yourself.

Betsy

 

[Cathryn]

I believe we are praying for forgiveness from all those we have sinned against including God and all our brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe the prayers of the Mass are these prayers and are offered to God the Father and confessed to all around us as we say the words:

All: I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

 

[EHRAM]

I believe we are praying for forgiveness from all those we have sinned against including God and all our brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe the prayers of the Mass are these prayers and are offered to God the Father and confessed to all around us as we say the words:

All: I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

I understand that the prayer starts with a confession of sin, to God, and to one another. But it ends with a request for intercessory prayer from our brothers and sisters as well as from the angels and saints. So, my question was, if everyone in the congregation is asking each other for their intercession, how and when does one respond to that request?

I liked the suggestion to pray for mercy on all.

 

[Cathryn]

I understand that the prayer starts with a confession of sin, to God, and to one another. But it ends with a request for intercessory prayer from our brothers and sisters as well as from the angels and saints. So, my question was, if everyone in the congregation is asking each other for their intercession, how and when does one respond to that request?

I liked the suggestion to pray for mercy on all.

I can’t say how we are supposed to do it, but I mentally do it at the time I pray:

“I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God.”

I pray for them and they pray for me, by meaning what I pray. I think it’s in this liturgical prayer. I have always believed it is a mutual prayer done at that moment, the whole communion of saints together. I’m addressing them and they are addressing me as we pray together for intercession and forgiveness from God.

 

[Cathryn]

I believe we are praying for forgiveness from all those we have sinned against including God and all our brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe the prayers of the Mass are these prayers and are offered to God the Father and confessed to all around us as we say the words:

All: I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

OK, I think this is the answer. Immediately after we pray

" I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord, our God."

The Priest says the prayer: “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.” We pray along with this prayer silently with the priest and say out loud, Amen.

This is the prayer of intercession for all of us. It is part of the Mass, not something we do later.

 

[LilyM]

Note that the prayer doesn’t specifically say ‘pray for my forgiveness’ (although we do that as outlined above) but more simply ‘pray for me’.

Well, we DO pray for all members of the Church in the Eucharistic prayer as well as various other points during the Mass.

Every version of the EP contains words to the effect of ‘remember Your church throughout the world’ (which obviously includes those present at the Mass with you!) :yup: