Notes on Spiritual Communion
Some of you may be wondering what’s meant by Spiritual Communion. Put very briefly, Spiritual Communion is a way of seeking the spiritual benefits of receiving communion when circumstances prevent us from physically receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the very situation we all find ourselves in at this present time. The following notes will, I hope, help to explain what Spiritual Communion is and how it can be of help to us in the present circumstances.
The following is based on the Guidance on Spiritual Communion from the Church of England’s website.
The term ‘Spiritual Communion’ has been used historically to describe the means of grace by which a person, prevented for some serious reason from sharing in a celebration of the Eucharist, nonetheless shares in the communion of Jesus Christ. This form of prayer offers Christians an opportunity to give thanks for their communion with him, particularly at times when they would ordinarily be present at the Eucharist.
The Book of Common Prayer instructs us that if we offer ourselves in penitence and faith, giving thanks for the redemption won by Christ crucified, we may truly ‘eat and drink the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ’, although we cannot receive the sacrament physically in ourselves. Making a Spiritual Communion is particularly fitting for those who cannot receive the sacrament at the great feasts of the Church, and it fulfils the duty of receiving Holy Communion ‘regularly, and especially at the festivals of Christmas, Easter and Whitsun or Pentecost’ (Canon B 15).
The Church of which we are members is not defined by the walls of a building but by the Body of Christ of which we are members. In making our communion spiritually, we are joining with Christians everywhere to be nourished by the one who tells us, ‘I am the Bread of Life’.
That tells us something about what Spiritual Communion is and why it’s a perfectly acceptable practice in the Church of England. The following, based on the introductory notes to Spiritual Communion from the website of the Spiritual Association of the Compassionate Hearts of Jesus and Mary (CHJM), tells us a bit more about how to make a Spiritual Communion, in particular, about the intention and interior thoughts of the one who is making their Spiritual Communion.
From time to time all of us find it impossible to attend the Eucharist on a Sunday and few Anglican churches offer one on Saturday evening – or even Sunday evening. There are also times when we cannot be present at the Eucharist on a Principle Feast Day (Holy Day or a Day of Obligation) when we might receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Because of this there is an ancient and valuable tradition of making an act of Spiritual Communion, an act which expresses what was described by St. Thomas Aquinas as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament [in Communion] and lovingly embracing Him as if we had actually received Him.”
In a Spiritual Communion, with a contrite heart, we ask Jesus to come to us in the same way He would if we were able to receive the Sacrament. This can be done as often as one likes, informally in one’s own words or through the use of traditional prayers.
What is the value of this practice? The graces received may be as great as — or greater than — those received by some people in the actual Sacrament. Though, of course, the Sacrament itself is inherently greater, our disposition towards the Sacrament affects how we receive its fruits. For example, imagine someone who is unable to be with the person they love but desires them with a deep desire, as contrasted with someone who is in the presence of one who loves them but they have little care for the other. Whilst Jesus loves both, His love is received to the extent it is desired.
The basic point being made here, is that it is our intention that is important. It’s from our earnest desire to receive the blessings of Holy Communion, even though we can’t physically receive the Sacrament, that Spiritual Communion gets its power and effectiveness.
You can make a Spiritual Communion whenever and wherever you like, but Sunday morning would obviously be a very appropriate day and time for it.
You can find orders of Spiritual Communion on both of the websites I’ve mentioned above or, you can use the order I’ve sent with these notes. Alternatively, you can use a form of your own, either one you have already, or by adapting one of the orders I’ve mentioned. The essentials are a form of confession, Scripture readings, prayers (including the Lord’s Prayer, the Act of Spiritual Communion itself and your own intention and desire to receive and share in the benefits of The Blessed Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Fr Stephen.
Parish Church of St Mark Chadderton 