Receiving the Blessed Sacrament in the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. There are, however, times when we are unable to receive the Blessed Sacrament, but the faithful can always take the opportunity to receive the blessings bestowed upon us through a Spiritual Communion.
According to the Catholic Catechism, “A spiritual communion is an earnest desire to receive Communion in reality, by which desire we make all preparations and thanksgivings that we would make” if we were about to receive Jesus sacramentally—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. “Spiritual communion consists in awakening within the heart a lively desire to receive holy communion.”
In other words, Spiritual Communion is an opportunity to still be able to unite ourselves to the Sacrament. It is the means of enriching the soul with many and precious graces.”
Although we are not required to fast, we should be reverent; humble; modest; and so on. We should mentally collect our thoughts and prepare our hearts as best we can. We should make an Act of Contrition.
Jesus Himself, speaking to St. Catherine of Siena, told her that He placed her sacramental Communions in a gold chalice, and her spiritual communions in a silver chalice. “Both chalices are quite pleasing to me,” Our Lord said.
The basic elements of an Act of Spiritual Communion are an Act of Faith; an Act of Love; a desire to receive Christ; and an invitation to Him to come into your heart. Families or individuals can be encouraged to receive Spiritual Communion in the following manner:
- Find a quiet space
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross
- Read the daily Mass readings. These can be found at the following link: USCCB.ORG (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops)
- Take time to reflect on the readings
- Pray the Our Father
- Pray the Prayer of Spiritual Communion
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 in 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.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross
The reception of Spiritual Communion has been a tradition since the early Church and can have a deep impact on all of us spiritually during these difficult times. Remember that a Spiritual Communion is possible because we understand and know what it is to receive the Eucharist of Christ personally. We have all received him into our souls at Mass. The following excerpt is from The Spiritual Life: A Treatise on Ascetical and Mystical Theology, 281-282
“Thus, Sacramental Communion is complemented by a spiritual Communion which renders its effects more lasting. This Communion brings about a special union with the Three Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity. In virtue of the indwelling of each Divine Person within the other—circumincession—the Eternal Word does not come alone into the soul.”
St. Jean-Marie Vianney compared spiritual communion to blowing on fire and embers that are starting to go out in order to make them burn again:
“There are some who make a spiritual communion every day with blessed bread. 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. After the reception of the Sacraments, when we feel ourselves slacken in the love of God, let us have recourse at once to spiritual communion. When we cannot go to the church, let us turn towards the tabernacle; no wall can shut us out from the good God.”
How often can we make a spiritual communion? Very often. You could even make one every hour. Of course, we must remember that spiritual communions—though holy—are not an ultimate replacement for sacramental Holy Communion. Still, they are an incredible gift from Our Lord. He is so generous with us.
Spiritual communions are the “silver chalice.” As we await the “gold chalice,” may the Holy Spirit bring about in us a profound hunger and longing for Jesus, that we might know and love and serve Him better.
