Ethan Walker
Spiritual communion is a Catholic devotion that can be performed by oneself, whether at Mass or elsewhere. It is an earnest desire to receive Communion in reality, by which one makes all the preparations and thanksgivings that one would make if one were about to receive Jesus sacramentally. There is no official prayer or method of preparation for spiritual communion, but it is recommended to prepare as one would to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. One may make an Act of Spiritual Communion while watching a broadcast of the Mass or during morning or evening prayers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Spiritual communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though one had already received Him |
| Context | Spiritual communion is made when one cannot receive the Holy Sacrament physically |
| Preparation | Prepare for spiritual communion the way one would prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist |
| Prayer | There is no official prayer, but a commonly used one is: "My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love Thee above all things, and I desire to receive Thee in my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace Thee as if Thou wert already there, and unite myself wholly to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee." |
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What You'll Learn
Spiritual communion prayers
One popular prayer for spiritual communion is the "Act of Spiritual Communion", which goes as follows:
> 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.
Another version of this prayer is as follows:
> My Jesus, believing that You are present in the Holy Sacrament of the altar, at Your feet I prostrate myself and offer You the repentance of my contrite heart; with lively faith and in the spirit of humility and absolute surrender, I wholly unite myself to You; and I beseech You to unite Yourself to me, that I may die to all earthly desires and live for You alone. Let me not receive You in mortal sin, but with a pure and humble heart. When I cannot receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there, and unite myself wholly to You; permit me never to be separated from You. Amen.
Another spiritual communion prayer is as follows:
> Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I confess my love for you and desire for your mercy. Though separated from my beloved community of faith, I am not separated from your Divine Presence and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I make this act of spiritual communion to unite myself to you who are the Living Word of God. In mind and heart, I unite myself to the sacrament of your Body and Blood. In love and hope, I unite myself to my brothers and sisters in the church.
Additionally, the following prayer can be said to kindle your devotion:
> Come, Jesus, my Beloved, come within this my poor heart; come and satiate my desires; come and sanctify my soul; come, most sweet Jesus, come!
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Preparing for spiritual communion
Firstly, it is important to cultivate the right intentions and mindset. This involves an "ardent desire" to receive Jesus sacramentally, as well as a loving embrace as though one has already received Him. This mindset is key to preparing for spiritual communion, as it reflects a profound hunger and longing for Jesus.
Secondly, while there is no official method of preparation, it is recommended to prepare in a similar way one would for receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. This includes acts of love, self-surrender, and humility. One may also choose to fast, as while it is not required, it is considered important to the spiritual life.
In addition, one can prepare by reciting specific prayers. For example, "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." This prayer reflects the intentions and mindset discussed earlier and can help focus one's desires and love for God.
Finally, it is important to ensure that one is in a state of grace. This includes examining oneself and ensuring that one meets the necessary requirements for a fruitful spiritual communion. This may include reflecting on one's daily life and ensuring that one is actively participating in uniting oneself with the Lord and the Mass.
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The importance of spiritual communion
Spiritual communion is a Christian practice, well-established in Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist churches. It is a way to prepare for Mass and is used by individuals who are unable to receive Holy Communion. It is encouraged when one is unable to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Spiritual communion is an earnest desire to receive Communion in reality, by which desire we make all the preparations and thanksgivings that we would make if we were about to receive Jesus sacramentally. It is a way to cultivate our love for Christ in the Eucharist and to receive grace. It is a practice that has been recommended by saints and praised by Pope John Paul II.
The Bellarmine Forum defines spiritual communion as "awakening within the heart a lively desire to receive holy communion." It is a means of enriching the soul with many and precious graces. Thomas Aquinas defined it as "an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him."
The practice of spiritual communion has been used by Christians in times of persecution or plague when they were unable to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. It is a way to unite oneself with Christ and to receive spiritual sustenance and solidarity with other believers within the body of Christ. Communion is a profound reminder of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and an invitation to believers to reflect on His suffering and the depth of His love.
Spiritual communion can be made anywhere and at any time. It is a way to express one's faith in Christ's merciful love and real presence in the Eucharist. It is a form of participation in the Eucharist that is offered to all the faithful and is especially suited to those who find themselves in a particular state or condition, such as those who are divorced and remarried.
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The four requirements for spiritual communion
While there is no official method or prayer for spiritual communion, there are four requirements that must be met for a spiritual communion to be considered truly fruitful and profitable.
The first requirement is to prepare for spiritual communion in the same way one would prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. This does not require fasting, but fasting is still considered important for spiritual life and should be practised frequently.
The second requirement is to say an Act of Spiritual Communion. There is no official prayer for this, but one example is:
> 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.
The third requirement is to speak to God with the same spirit as if one had just received the Holy Sacrament at Mass. This involves performing all the interior acts one is accustomed to after sacramental Communion, such as adoring and thanking God.
The fourth requirement is to ensure one is in a state of grace. This means that only those who are in a state of grace should make an Act of Spiritual Communion.
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The history of spiritual communion
Over time, the Christian Church evolved a more structured hierarchy, with central bishops holding authority over the clergy in their cities, leading to the development of Metropolitan bishops. The organization of the Church mirrored that of the Empire, with bishops in politically important cities holding greater authority. The churches in Antioch, Alexandria, and Rome held the highest positions.
By the 2nd century, bishops often congregated in regional synods to resolve doctrinal and administrative issues, and by the 3rd century, the bishop of Rome was acting as a court of appeals for problems that other bishops could not resolve. This early Christian Church faced various interpretations of Christian beliefs, and the development of a more structured hierarchy helped ensure greater consistency in their teachings.
The East-West schism in the 11th century permanently divided Christianity, with the Western (Latin) branch becoming known as the Catholic Church and the Eastern (Greek) branch becoming the Orthodox Church. Despite this division, the Eucharist remains central to the Catholic Church, with Pope Saint John Paul II's 2003 encyclical "Ecclesia de Eucharistia" emphasizing its importance.
Spiritual communion is a Catholic devotion that has grown in popularity, with well-trained Eucharistic ministers serving as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The act of spiritual communion is a prayer that expresses a believer's desire to receive Jesus into their soul, even if they cannot receive the sacrament at that moment. This prayer reflects the Catholic belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and their desire for spiritual union with him.
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Frequently asked questions
A spiritual communion is a devotion that Catholics can perform on their own, whether at Mass or not, when they are not able to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist. It is an earnest desire to receive Communion in reality.
There is no official method of preparation or one official prayer for spiritual communion. However, you should prepare for it the way you would to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. You can say the following prayer: "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."
Spiritual communion enriches the soul with precious graces and brings about in us a profound hunger and longing for Jesus, that we might know, love and serve Him better.
