The Holy Father’s Intentions: A Deeper Look

As Catholics, many of us are accustomed to rattling off “for the intentions of the holy father” at the beginning or end of the rosary or when praying at a cemetery for an indulgence. But do we understand what we are, in fact, praying for?

I am old enough to remember when Pope John Paul II died in 2005, and I thought we had to stop praying for the holy father’s intentions until a new pope was elected. The pope can’t have intentions if the Chair of Peter is vacant, right?

Ed. Condon from The Pillar explains that when we pray for the holy father’s intentions, “that is, of course, not a vague reference to ‘whatever the pope wants.’ The pope issues monthly requests for the prayers of the faithful.”

These intentions are published in English on the USCCB website. It is good to familiarize ourselves with these intentions so that we can more intentionally join our prayers with the universal Church for the month’s intention.

During the month of February, we are praying for the terminally ill:

We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.

It is so important to pray for people with terminal illnesses as they prepare for death. We know, as Christians, that death is not the end but the passing into the eternal life for which we are destined. Even for those who hope in God, the thought of death can cause fear of the unknown and, of course, great sadness.

And for those who have not had a relationship with God, we pray that their illness may lead them to His Heart.

Surprised to Serve the Dying

When I was preparing to serve as a missionary in Peru, I wouldn’t have imagined that helping the dying would be part of my ministry. In reality, it was a big part. We accompanied one dying man and his wife as cancer took this man’s life. Thankfully, he was able to receive the sacraments during this time, even after years of not going to communion.

There was an elderly woman whom I had the privilege of praying with just hours before her passing. She had received the anointing of the sick some days before, thanks to a fellow missionary who had called the priest to come. 

I was humbled when I realized that God placed me in the path of these people to help prepare them to meet Him. 

I realized what an important task this was. And though I’m no longer working in the foreign mission field, I pray especially for those who are dying in remote areas of the world, that they have the opportunity to receive the sacraments—which can be difficult when the nearest priest lives hours away.

This month, each time we pray “for the intentions of the holy father,” let us together pray for the terminally ill both near and far. May the Lord give them comfort in their suffering and the hope of eternal life.