Can’t receive the Eucharist?
Whenever we are unable to receive the Eucharist, including during an enforced period of suspension of public worship as at the moment, the Church encourages us to make an act of “spiritual communion,” where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful and simple way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion.
Below is a traditional prayer of spiritual communion that you can pray at home or at work or kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament in church. You might want to pray it particularly at 9.30am each day as Fr Paul is offering Mass in church.
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 can not 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.
A prayer to Jesus
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Let me never be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
At the hour of death, call me
and bid me come to thee,
that with thy saints I may praise thee,
forever and ever.
Amen.