Is there a ‘spiritual communion’?
By Bishop Emeritus Thomas G. Doran

Q Is there such a thing as “spiritual communion”  for those who are unable to receive the Eucharist because of lack of accessibility, like in mission areas or because of situations of divorce and remarriage?

A  The Eucharist is the most Blessed Sacrament because it is the sacrament which contains the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ and when we receive holy Communion we receive all of that. The way that we do that is to receive the sacrament at the altar.

However for reasons as stated in the question, when it is not possible to receive the holy Eucharist, one can, and should for that matter, unite themselves with the Blessed Sacrament in prayer as often as they are moved to do so.

That is a worthy motive and such prayer is a kind of spiritual communion that would be available to people who cannot receive the Eucharist physically.

It is not the same as receiving the body, blood, soul and divinity in the sacrament, but it is a pious practice and anyone can do that.

Any time we gather ourselves in prayer is certainly pleasing to Almighty God and useful for people who can’t get to Mass and receive Communion.

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