Liturgy

Spiritual Communion – What? When? Where? Why? How?

As Catholics, we share a strong desire to share in the Body and Blood of Christ with our brothers and sisters at the table of our Divine Savior. Sometimes this is not possible. Then we have the option of making a Spiritual Communion.

WHAT?   Spiritual Communion is the uniting of ourselves with Jesus through a prayer asking that He to come into our hearts and remain with us.

WHEN?  As mentioned above, we pray this prayer any time we are unable to attend Mass, or  are unable to share in the Eucharist. So actually, this is a beautiful way to unite ourselves with Jesus.

WHERE? Anywhere!   People around you might not have a clue that you are at it.  It can be done at work, when you are at home taking care of someone who is ill, during a walk, in church before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle or exposed, at a livestreamed Mass in time of a pandemic, at Mass when you choose not to share in Communion for any reason, at home because you cannot get up and go out, in the forest, in the hospital, etc.

WHY?  We know Jesus is with us, and the love of Christ dwells within our hearts. During this time of the unknown, we cling to this truth, that IS known. Praying a prayer of Spiritual Communion strengthens us in this knowledge and can provide us with a sense of peace, until we meet again in the Eucharist.

HOW?
A prayer of Spiritual Communion is not REQUIRED to be of a certain formulary. Our own words can be used.
At our livestream/recorded Masses at Divine Savior we say:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart ... I  unite myself wholly to you, embrace You, because I know you are already here (hands over heart), and I will NEVER be separated from You. Amen

Let’s see what some of our saints have to say about the subject:
St. Teresa of Avila wrote in The Way of Perfection: “When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.”
 
St. Jean Vianney said: ” If we are deprived of Sacramental Communion, let us replace it, as far as we can, by spiritual communion, which we can make every moment; for we ought to have always a burning desire to receive the good God. Communion is to the soul like blowing a fire that is beginning to go out, but that has still plenty of hot embers; we blow, and the fire burns again.”

St. Thomas Aquinas distinguished the physical and spiritual reception of the Eucharist, and described Spiritual Communion as, “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the most holy sacrament and lovingly embrace him”.

St. Leonard of Port Maurice said: “If you practice the holy exercise of spiritual Communion several times each day, within a month you will see your heart completely changed.”

Benedict XVI recommended making Spiritual Communions in Sacramentum caritatis:
“Even in cases where it is not possible to receive sacramental communion, participation at Mass remains necessary, important, meaningful and fruitful. (note: whether in person or recorded). In such circumstances it is beneficial to cultivate a desire for full union with Christ through the practice of spiritual communion, praised by Pope John Paul II and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life”.

St. Alphonsus Liguori said: "As I cannot this day enjoy the happiness of assisting at the holy Mysteries, O my God! I transport myself in spirit at the foot of your altar; I unite with the Church, the priest and Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice; I offer myself with Him, by Him, and in His Name. I adore, I praise, and thank you, asking your mercy, invoking your assistance, and presenting all honor upon you as my Creator, all love to you as my Savior.
Apply to my soul, oh Jesus, your infinite graces; apply them also to those for whom I particularly wish to pray. I desire to communicate spiritually, that Your Blood may purify, Your Body may strengthen, and Your Spirit may sanctify me and make me holy. May I never forget that you, my divine Savior, died for me; may I die to all that is not you, that hereafter I may live eternally with  you. Amen.
 
A reminder that your own words can be used. May all our prayers rise like incense and unite together as one.
Peace be with you.