Spiritual communion

Spiritual communion is a Christian practice of desiring union with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

[4] The practice of spiritual communion has been especially used by Christians in times of persecution, such as during the era of state atheism in the Eastern Bloc, as well as in times of plague, such as during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, when many Christians were unable to attend Mass, and could not receive the Eucharist on the Lord's Day.

"[This quote needs a citation] The basis of this practice was explained by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia: In the Eucharist, "unlike any other sacrament, the mystery [of communion] is so perfect that it brings us to the heights of every good thing: Here is the ultimate goal of every human desire, because here we attain God and God joins himself to us in the most perfect union."

[5] 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: My heart feels as if it were being drawn by a superior force each morning just before uniting with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.

After the reception of the Sacraments, when we feel ourselves slacken in the love of God, let us have recourse at once to spiritual communion.

"[7] 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.

Stefano Manelli wrote: Spiritual Communion, as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Alphonsus Liguori teach, produces effects similar to Sacramental Communion, according to the dispositions with which it is made, the greater or less earnestness with which Jesus is desired, and the greater or less love with which Jesus is welcomed and given due attention.A special advantage of Spiritual Communion is that we can make it as often as we like – even hundreds of times a day – when we like – even late at night – and wherever we like – even in a desert, or up in an airplane.

[6]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.

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.

[12]Prayers taken from the A Form of Spiritual Communion of the Diocese of Malaita of the Anglican Communion are as follows:[13] In union, O Dear Lord, with the faithful at every Altar of Thy Church, where Thy blessed Body and Blood are being offered to the Father, I desire to offer Thee praise and thanksgiving.

Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Pompano Beach, published the following act of spiritual communion:[2] Lord Jesus, we desire earnestly to experience your love as guests at the heavenly feast you have prepared for your children on earth in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar.

Strengthen our faith, increase our love and hope; and after this life grant us a place at your heavenly table, where we shall eat of the eternal manna, and drink of the river of your pleasure forevermore.

[4][10][2] 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.

[4] 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.

[4] He encouraged the practice of spiritual communion amidst the pandemic, especially during the Anglican service of morning prayer.