Experiencing varied forms of prayer at home: |
Pope Francis told us on March 15, 2020, "United to Christ we are never alone, but instead form one body, of which he is the head. It is a union that is nourished with prayer and also with spiritual communion in the Eucharist, a practice that is recommended when it isn't possible to receive the sacrament."
Because it is not always possible for everyone to receive at every Mass, the idea of "Spiritual Communion" is part of Catholic tradition. We invite Jesus into ourselves when receiving the actual sacrament isn't possible.
In the 1700s, St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote a special prayer for spiritual communion:
"My Jesus,
believe you are really here in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you more than anything in the world,
and I hunger to receive you.
But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment,
feed my soul at least spiritually.
I unite myself to you now as I do when I actually receive you."
Because it is not always possible for everyone to receive at every Mass, the idea of "Spiritual Communion" is part of Catholic tradition. We invite Jesus into ourselves when receiving the actual sacrament isn't possible.
In the 1700s, St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote a special prayer for spiritual communion:
"My Jesus,
believe you are really here in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you more than anything in the world,
and I hunger to receive you.
But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment,
feed my soul at least spiritually.
I unite myself to you now as I do when I actually receive you."