WHAT IS SPIRITUAL COMMUNION & HOW IS IT DONE?

What is Spiritual Communion & How is it done?

For those who in the weeks ahead may be unable to attend Mass (or for whatever reason cannot normally receive Holy Communion) the Church has an ancient practice known as ‘Spiritual Communion’. A Spiritual Communion is different from an actual or Sacramental Communion, in which we receive the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. To make a Spiritual Communion is to make a ‘Communion of desire’, when receiving the Lord in Holy Communion is not possible. Pope St. John Paul II was a great advocate of spiritual communion. He wrote in his encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharitia: “It is good to cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This was the origin of the practice of ‘Spiritual Communion,’ which has happily been established in the Church for centuries and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life. St. Teresa of Jesus wrote: ‘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.’”

The Church recommends making spiritual communions as often as possible, even if we are still able to participate in Mass that day.  There are many prayers that can be used to make a Spiritual Communion and to stir up a holy desire for that union with Jesus, but perhaps the most famous is the one written by St. Alphonsus. 

Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus Liguori

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 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 at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Send Your Angel to Holy Mass

O, Holy Angel at my side,

go to the church for me.

Kneel in my place at Holy Mass,

where I desire to be.

At Offertory in my stead,

take all I am and own,

and place it as a sacrifice

upon the altar throne.

At Holy Consecration’s bell,

adore with Seraph’s love,

my Jesus, hidden in the Host,

come down from heaven above.

And when the priest Communion takes,

O, bring my Lord to me,

that his sweet heart may rest on mine,

and I his temple be.

Then pray for those I dearly love,

and those who cause me grief,

Jesus’ love may cleanse all hearts

and suffering souls relieve.

Pray that this Sacrifice Divine,

may mankind’s sin’s efface,

then bring me Jesus’ blessing home,

the pledge of every grace. Amen.

Fatima Prayers of Adoration

O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary I beg the conversion of poor sinners.

Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament.