All Saints Day Eucharist Question

[jeb5346]

Hey all,

I am a Catholic candidate (Baptized Catholic, raised Lutheran) who is currently enrolled in RCIA in order to come into full communion with the Church during Easter. I am planning to go to Mass tonight for All Saints Day and I figured it would be a good time to get an answer for a question that has been on my mind for the past couple months. During Mass I obviously abstain from partaking in the Eucharist but I was wondering what fruits (if any) are being bestowed upon me by just being in the presence of Christ and adoring him. I understand that the presence is unique in the actual species but I was wondering if there are any spiritual connections or fruits among the faithful who do not participate in the Eucharist.

Thanks,

JB

 

[Boulder257]

Great question. There is such a thing as “spiritual communion” which does bestow a certain level of grace. Pope John Paul II discussed it in his encyclical entitled Ecclesia de Eucherista. Here is a link to the Vatican’s website with the encyclical:
vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_17042003_ecclesia-de-eucharistia_en.html

Here is a link to EWTN’s website where they have a prayer for spiritual communion:
ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/blsac4.htm

I hope this helps!