• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Deacon Willard Witherspoon distributes Communion during a 2016 Mass at St. Peter Claver Church in Baltimore. Those unable to partake of the Blessed Sacrament are encouraged to make an act of "spiritual communion." (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

Spiritual communion helps connect Catholics to Christ

April 2, 2020
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News

Father J. Collin Poston has friends in the U.S. military services who couldn’t receive holy Communion for long stretches of time because of a lack of chaplains to celebrate Mass or because of the remote locations in which they served.

Despite their inability to receive the Eucharist physically, they were still able to connect with Christ on a mystical level.

“They would often say the prayer of spiritual communion,” said Father Poston, pastor of St. Anthony Shrine in Emmitsburg and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Thurmont. “It was a way for them to unite themselves spiritually with Christ and invite him into their souls.”

Spiritual communion is an ancient practice of the church that isn’t well known to modern Catholics. It provides believers a way of finding a close union with Christ when they can’t partake of the sacrament.

Because the Mass in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and many parts of the country is currently only being offered privately and without the presence of the faithful as a way of preventing the spread of the coronavirus, Father Poston believes spiritual communion is a gift to help people stay connected to Jesus and remain strong in their faith.

“It’s a sincere prayer saying that you believe that Jesus is present in the holy sacrament,” Father Poston explained, “and you desire to receive him and love him. But since you can’t, you invite Jesus to come into your heart and soul and be with you.”

During St. Anthony’s online Mass, Father Poston invites those watching to say the prayer of spiritual communion right after the consecration. He said the spiritual practice would also be appropriate at the end of watching an online Mass or during special times of the day, including 3 p.m., the hour Christ died on the cross.

The working document for the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist in 2005 said spiritual communion is always possible for elderly persons and the sick who cannot go to church.

“In manifesting their love for the Eucharist,” the document said, “they participate in the communion of saints with great spiritual benefit for themselves and the church. By offering their sufferings to God, the church is enriched.”

Father Poston noted there are several versions of the prayer. One of the most popular was written by St. Alphonsus Liguori, 18th-century founder of the Redemptorist order of priests and brothers (see below).

It does not matter which version is used, Father Poston said, as long as the person saying the prayer is sincere.

“I would encourage people to pray it and to believe the words they pray,” he said.

Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org

Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus Liguori

My Jesus,

I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed 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.

 

 

 

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek, a member of the Catholic Review staff since 1997, has served as managing editor since September 2021. He previously served as a writer, senior correspondent, assistant managing editor and digital editor of the Catholic Review and the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

In his current role, he oversees news coverage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 100 national and regional journalism and broadcasting awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, the Catholic Press Association, the Associated Church Press and National Right to Life. He has reported from Guyana, Guatemala, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

A native Baltimorean, George is a proud graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. He holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a master's degree from UMBC.

George, his wife and five children live in Rodgers Forge. He is a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Baltimore Basilica temporarily closes as precaution in wake of Supreme Court ruling

Pro-life leaders in Archdiocese of Baltimore respond to Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

Cardinal says renewing Vatican II’s spirit can carry the church forward

Leadership transition coming to Baltimore Basilica as Father Boric prepares to enter Carmelite hermitage

Archdiocese of Baltimore concludes Year of the Eucharist with special Corpus Christi Mass

Latest World News

Outside high court, joy, defiance and insults after Roe is struck down

Welcoming court’s decision, leaders say it’s time to build pro-life culture

Supreme Court overturns Roe in anticipated Dobbs decision

Hope must prevail over Mafia culture of fear, pope says

Pope to visit Canada, limiting participation to one hour at various events

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Baltimore Basilica temporarily closes as precaution in wake of Supreme Court ruling
  • Outside high court, joy, defiance and insults after Roe is struck down
  • Welcoming court’s decision, leaders say it’s time to build pro-life culture
  • Pro-life leaders in Archdiocese of Baltimore respond to Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
  • Supreme Court overturns Roe in anticipated Dobbs decision
  • Pope to visit Canada, limiting participation to one hour at various events
  • Hope must prevail over Mafia culture of fear, pope says
  • Cardinal says renewing Vatican II’s spirit can carry the church forward
  • Michigan center is among latest pro-life facilities vandalized across U.S.

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2022 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED