Spiritual Communion (June 13, 2010)

What is Spiritual Communion, when is it appropriate to use and how is it done?

A spiritual communion is made when we fervently desire to receive our Lord, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament but for some reason may not do so. For example, we may not be able to attend Mass because we are in a location where it’s not offered or because we are sick at home, in the hospital or nursing home.

When we receive Spiritual Communion we desire to be with the Lord; and, because of our desire to be with Him a spiritual communion is as if we had actually done so in the Holy Eucharist. We may do a Spiritual Communion at Mass when for some reason we are not able to receive the Sacrament, e.g., have not done the obligatory fast, or at any time during the day. It’s especially recommended when we visit Jesus in the tabernacle or during Eucharistic adoration.

In his 2003 encyclical letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II wrote: In the Eucharist, "unlike any other sacrament, the mystery [of communion] is so perfect that it brings us to the heights of every good thing: Here is the ultimate goal of every human desire, because here we attain God and God joins himself to us in the most perfect union.” Precisely for this reason 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 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 Way of Perfection, Ch. 35.].1 There are many ways to make a Spiritual Communion and when we make one we gain great benefit. (According to the Enchiridion of Indulgences, one gains a partial indulgence by making an act of spiritual communion.) All one needs to do to obtain a Spiritual Communion is to ask our Lord to be with you spiritually. Below are several prayers by saints for obtaining a spiritual communion. You may, of course, use you own words.

Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus Liguori (A.D. 1696-1787)

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though thou were already there, I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You; permit not that I should ever be separated from You.

Act of Spiritual Communion

O Immaculate Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mother of God and Mediatrix of every grace: I believe that Thy dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, is truly, really, and substantially contained in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love Him above all things and I long to receive Him into my heart. Since I cannot now receive Him sacramentally, be so good as to place Him spiritually in my soul.

O my Jesus, I embrace Thee as One who has already come, and I unite myself entirely to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.

Act of Spiritual Communion

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 Thine altar; I unite with the Church, which by the hands of the priest, offers Thee Thine adorable Son in the Holy Sacrifice; I offer myself with Him, by Him, and in His Name. I adore, I praise, and thank Thee, imploring Thy mercy, invoking Thine assistance, and presenting Thee the homage I owe Thee as my Creator, the love due to Thee as my Savior.

Apply to my soul, I beseech Thee, O merciful Jesus, Thine infinite merits; apply them also to those for whom I particularly wish to pray. I desire to communicate spiritually, that Thy Blood may purify, Thy Flesh strengthen, and Thy Spirit sanctify me. May I never forget that Thou, my divine Redeemer, hast died for me; may I die to all that is not Thee, that hereafter I may live eternally with Thee. Amen.