Spiritual Communion

Many have asked in the last week what do I do if I cannot attend mass or cannot receive communion.   Up until recently in history most people didn’t receive the Eucharist often if at all.  Even now the precepts of the church mandate reception of communion once a year during the Easter season.  We have a Sunday obligation to attend mass* but reception of the sacrament isn’t required every time you attend mass.  This is because those not in a state of grace should never receive the Blessed Sacrament.  Similarly if you find yourself having not kept the communion fast you should refrain from reception as well.  (Assuming you’re not pregnant or nursing, elderly, or for whatever reason not obligated to that fast.)  Unfortunately many of my generation were never taught you can and should at times attend mass and not receive communion.  
What should I do then if I’m unable to receive communion…or even attend mass as is now the case with the cancelling of public masses.  This is where the age old custom of making a spiritual communion comes into play.  Below is information on what spiritual communion is, how to make one, and a few traditional prayers to assist in making one.
*It’s worth emphasizing that anytime you are sick your obligation to attend mass is lifted and in fact attending mass when contagious could be understood to be irresponsible and morally wrong.  

What is Spiritual Communion?   

Here’s a few quotes from saints:
St. Teresa of Avila wrote in The Way of Perfection: “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.”
St. Jean Vianney said: ” 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.”
St. Thomas Aquinas distinguished the physical and spiritual reception of the Eucharist, and described Spiritual Communion as, “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the most holy sacrament and lovingly embrace him”.
St. Leonard of Port Maurice said: “If you practice the holy exercise of spiritual Communion several times each day, within a month you will see your heart completely changed.”

How do I make a Spiritual Communion?

It’s suggested you make good examination of conscience.  If you find you are not in a state of grace you should make it a point of getting to the sacrament of confession.   Then in prayer express your desire to unite yourself to Our Lord even though you cannot for whatever reason receive the Blessed Sacrament.   While we normally only go to mass once a day a person can make a spiritual communion multiple times per day as they see fit.  Remember making a spiritual communion isn’t an excuse for skipping mass.  If mass is offered locally on a Sunday you are still bound to attend.  However if you cannot receive communion it can be combined with attendance at mass.
 
Prayers for Spiritual Communion

For many of us written prayers to memorize can be helpful for new spiritual practices.  Below are a few such prayers.
“My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now 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.” 
– St. Alphonsus Liguori

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.
At Thy feet, O my Jesus, I prostrate myself and I offer Thee repentance of my contrite heart, which is humbled in its nothingness and in Thy holy presence. I adore Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love, the ineffable Eucharist. I desire to receive Thee into the poor dwelling that my heart offers Thee. While waiting for the happiness of sacramental communion, I wish to possess Thee in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, since I, for my part, am coming to Thee! May Thy love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee. Amen.
 - Rafael Merry del Val

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.

Prayers and info regarding Spiritual Communion were taken from this website.