Question:   What is ‘spiritual communion’?
Answer:   ‘Communion’ refers to the effect of the Eucharist: the Body and Blood draw us together as ‘one body, one spirit in Christ’ (Eucharistic Prayer III). The Eucharist is the ‘source and summit’ (Lumen Gentium, 11) of our Catholic faith precisely because it is the both the origin and goal of our common union in Christ. What a great gift of God!

What about those who cannot receive Eucharist, either because it’s impossible for them to attend Mass due to age and health or because they do not yet share in the fullness of our Catholic faith (but wholeheartedly desire to share it)? What about those Catholics who after receiving communion continue to strive to deepened intimacy with the Lord? For these men and women desirous of Eucharistic Communion, we have Spiritual Communion, which is no less effective at making us one body and spirit in Christ! Like baptism of desire for those who aren’t yet baptized but desire to be so, God provides the path to union in Him. The focus is on desire: God’s all-consuming desire for us meeting our growing desire for Him!

Listen to the desire of St Therese in her Offering to Merciful Love: “Ah! I cannot receive Holy Communion as often as I desire, but Lord, are you not all-powerful? Remain in me as in a tabernacle and never separate Yourself from Your little victim.” Do you hear her intense desire for communion with the Lord? The Lord’s desire for her is even more intense! He longs for communion with you not just in the moment you receive communion, but at all times and in all places. Did you know you can renew your desire for spiritual communion anywhere and at anytime? Pray St. Therese’s Offering to Merciful Love or make your own prayer of desire to remain in intimate communion with Jesus always.
Want to go deeper with the
Offering to Merciful Love
and spiritual communion?
Register for our parish retreat,
33 Days to Merciful Love
starting on Wednesday, February 28
for six-consecutive weeks.
Visit srweuclid.cc/33-days
for more info and to register.
You may also call the parish office
at 216.731.1515
or visit the sign-up table after all Masses on Feb 10-11