Spiritual Communion

It is OK not to receive Holy Communion. There could be many reasons. Perhaps we did not get a chance to fast for one hour. Perhaps we are not in the state of grace. Perhaps we are concerned about sickness. Perhaps we are physically separated by distance. The Church has a whole area of devotion and prayer called “Spiritual Communion.”

Spiritual Communion is done when a person is unable to make a Sacramental Communion. Since there is no physical reception of the real, true, and substantial Body & Blood, Soul & Divinity of Christ in a spiritual communion, then there is no reception of sanctifying grace, only actual grace. While Canon Law only permits someone to receive Holy Communion no more than twice in one day, a person can make NUMEROUS spiritual communions all day long.

We can make a Spiritual Communion such as these below during Mass, or before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, or anywhere else where the Spirit moves us. Here are several prayers that may assist in making a spiritual communion when we are not able to receive.

Spiritual Communion Prayer, Option 1
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 Prayer, Option 2
My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to be separated from You. Amen

Spiritual Communion Prayer, Option 3
I wish O Lord, to receive You with the purity, humility and devotion with which Your most Holy Mother received You in the spirit and fervor of all the saints

Spiritual Communion Prayer, Option 4
Oh Jesus, I turn toward the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me. I love you, O my God. I cannot receive you in Holy Communion. Come, nevertheless, and visit me with Your grace. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Your own. Amen.

Spiritual Communion Prayer, Option 5
At Thy feet, O my Jesus, I prostrate myself, and I offer Thee the 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! The love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee. Amen