“If at all possible for them, tertiaries shall strive to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass daily, and to go frequently to Holy Communion with devotion. Those unable to do so shall take care to make a spiritual communion. Thus, united with the Eucharistic Christ, either sacramentally or in spirit, they shall start their daily work with confidence.”  Constitutions Article 57

 

 

 

In his Encyclical Letter Ecclesia de Eucharistia, St. John Paul II wrote: “… it is good to cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the sacrament of the Eucharist. This was the origin of the practice of “spiritual communion”, which has happily been established in the Church for centuries and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life. Saint Teresa of Jesus wrote: ‘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’.” #34

A spiritual Communion can be made, for example, when physically unable to attend Mass or when unable to receive the Eucharist due to living in a state of mortal sin.  It can be made at any time and at any place.  It can be made during our morning prayer or for example, during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  St. 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.”

 

“When I do not hear Mass, I adore the Body of Christ with the eyes of my mind in prayer, just as I adore It when I see It at Mass.”    St. Francis of Assisi