Fridays during Lent have always been special days of prayer and abstinence, with fasting included, so as to enter more fully into the penance and penitence of these holy days. In this time of crisis, it would be wrong to say, “Well, nothing has changed. Lent is Lent.” Obviously, a whole lot has changed!
When we were still able to gather for Mass in public, we heard, on Ash Wednesday, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” So, how do we do that in this present moment, especially without direct access to Holy Communion?
This might sound like ‘looking for silver linings in the dark clouds,’ but this time, like no other, can be a beautiful time of prayer and appreciation for the Eucharist which we are, again, unable to share in a direct way. The Mass is being offered each day by Fr. Mark (and countless other priests around the world). Combined with those celebrations of the Mass is the ancient practice of the Church which encourages us to make an act of “spiritual communion,” where we unite ourselves to God and His people through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with Him and His people when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion itself.
Countless saints incorporated this type of prayer into their daily lives, not being satisfied with receiving Jesus in the Eucharist once a week or even once a day. Making an act of “spiritual communion” for them was an essential part of life and drew them closer to God on a daily basis. Padre Pio, for example, had a habit of making a “spiritual communion,” throughout the day, outside of the celebration of Mass. He desired to be always united with Jesus Christ in everything he did.
Below is a traditional prayer of “spiritual communion” that many saints have prayed over the years. It can be prayed in any circumstance when we are unable to receive the Eucharist, but especially now in this trying and difficult time. This prayer presents a meaningful way to lift up our thoughts to God and unite ourselves all the more intimately to His people. The ultimate goal of our lives is communion with God and an act of “spiritual communion” can help us draw closer to that goal. As St. Teresa of Jesus said, “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.”
“My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.
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 or your holy people.
I pray in your Holy Name. Amen.”
Along with this prayer, consider praying a Rosary each day this Lent (our Holy Father and our Archbishop have encouraged as much); light a candle at home; pray the Stations of the Cross; pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy; read and meditate on the Readings for this Sunday, letting the Word of God feed your soul. This can be a beautiful time for prayer, abstinence, fasting, and growth in holiness, if we make the most of it. May God bless you with His peace and His protection.
Some final food for thought as we enter into the weekend of the Fourth Sunday of Lent: What a glorious celebration it will be when we celebrate the Mass again together and receive the Eucharist – renewed in our appreciation and understanding of the gift that the Eucharist is for us! What a glorious celebration, indeed!
The national Conference of Bishops has posted some excellent resources for in-home prayer and engagement, including links to online Masses, daily readings, prayers, spiritual tips and ideas:
https://catholiccurrent.org/covid19/
https://archdpdx.org/live-masses
In addition, you can get free, temporary access to these daily devotionals here:
Living Faith January/February/March 2020
