Spiritual communion

Doctrine

Thomas Aquinas defined spiritual communion as "an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him." The basis of this practice was explained by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia:

Thus, the passionate desire for God, whom the saints have seen as the Sole Satisfier, and who in the Eucharist is the "summit and source of the Christian life", is at the root of this practice. The experience of Padre Pio illustrates the compelling desire felt by the saints in the face of the drawing and attracting power of God's love:

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:

Josemaría Escrivá taught spiritual communions improve presence of God: "What a source of grace there is in spiritual Communion! Practise it frequently and you'll have more presence of God and closer union with him in your life." He also taught: "Do not neglect to say, 'Jesus, I love you', and make one spiritual communion, at least, each day, in atonement for all the profanations and sacrileges he suffers because he wants to be with us."

According to Catholic theologians, the value of a spiritual communion can be as great as Holy Communion itself. Stefano Manelli wrote:

The Church of England, mother church of the Anglican Communion, teaches with regard to spiritual communion that "Believers who cannot physically receive the sacrament are to be assured that they are partakers by faith of the Body and Blood of Christ and of the benefits he conveys to us by them."

The Methodist Church in Great Britain teaches that "Spiritual Communion is a practice where we entrust ourselves to God in prayer, pledging ourselves to God once more as disciples and praying that God might give us spiritually the same grace we share when we physically receive Holy Communion." The practice is consistent with Methodist theology, which holds that God can impart grace "with or without physical means: God can work through anything or indeed nothing."

Examples

According to the official Catholic handbook (enchiridion) for indulgences, "an Act of Spiritual Communion, according to any pious formula, is enriched with a partial indulgence."

It also specifically mentions this Act of Spiritual Communion, which was recommended by Alphonsus Liguori:

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

Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val composed this spiritual communion:

Another example is:

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.}}

Piarist fathers have taught this short act of spiritual communion, popularized by Josemaría Escrivá:

Prayers taken from the A Form of Spiritual Communion of the Diocese of Malaita of the Anglican Communion are as follows:

Mitchell Lewis, a Methodist elder, authored an act of spiritual communion for use in the Methodist tradition:

St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Pompano Beach, published the following act of spiritual communion:

Usage

The practice of spiritual communion is used by Christians, especially Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and Methodists, when they have been unable to receive the Holy Communion, especially in times of sickness and during persecution by states hostile towards religion. Anglican priest Jonathan Warren Pagán cited the joy Walter Ciszek experienced by making spiritual communion during the era of state atheism in the Soviet Union that resulted in the persecution of Christians in the Eastern Bloc.

Referencing theology related to the Body of Christ and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, Anglican priest Jonathan Warren Pagán wrote that "Gathered worship in word and sacrament is therefore not an optional add-on for Christians" though the COVID-19 pandemic rendered it necessary to move to online formats for the common good. He encouraged the practice of spiritual communion amidst the pandemic, especially during the Anglican service of morning prayer. Pope Francis also suggested that the faithful say spiritual communion prayers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which renewed interest in the practice; Methodist clergy have also encouraged spiritual communion.

References

References

1. Tovey, Phillip. (24 February 2016). "The Theory and Practice of Extended Communion". Routledge.
2. "Spiritual Communion". St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pompano Beach, Florida.
3. "Ecclesia de Eucharistia (17 April 2003) | John Paul II".
4. "Jesus Our Eucharistic Love".
5. Escriva, The Way, 540. Sinag Tala Publishers, Manila. {{ISBN. 971-554-017-1
6. Escriva, Furrow, 689. Sinag Tala Publishers, Manila. {{ISBN. 971-117-040-X.
7. "Ministry to the Sick". [[Church of England]].
8. "Spiritual Communion". [[Methodist Church in Great Britain]].
9. "ASSISTING IN ABSENTIA (Absentia.HTM)".
10. "Opus dei - Saint Josemaría".
11. Cecil Wood. (1916). "A Form of Spiritual Communion Compiled by the Bishop of Melanesia". Wilson & Horton.
12. (20 March 2020). "An Act of Spiritual Communion". Wordpress.
13. (21 March 2020). "Spiritual Communion During the COVID-19 Pandemic". Anglican Compass.
14. (15 March 2020). "Pope Francis urges Catholics to unite in spiritual communion". [[The Tablet]].
15. (17 March 2020). "Public Mass ban in Italy leads to new focus on 'spiritual Communion'". [[Crux (online newspaper).