Spiritual communion

[searn77]

I have recently discovered something called “spiritual communion” which I have never heard of before. It’s when you’re in a state of mortal sin or aren’t a confirmed Catholic where you go up to receive communion with your arms crossed over your chest and hands on your shoulders. You can’t actually partake in the Eucharist but the priest will say the spiritual communion prayer for you. I’ve never seen this and was wondering if this is a well-known thing to do at mass? If I came up to the priest with my arms crossed, will he know to pray for spiritual communion? Is it recommended because since I’m not Catholic yet, I usually have to walk out of my pew so that I’m not blocking the way, and then when they return I have to get out of the pew so that they can get by me and sit back down. Should I just go up to the priest with my arms crossed? Can you do this in other rites besides the Latin rite, especially at a Byzantine Ruthenian divine liturgy? In the Latin rite, can “spiritual communion” be done at a traditional Latin mass?

 

[ProVobis]

The “traditional” spiritual communion can be said in the pew or even at home or anywhere else. It is not necessary to approach the priest for this.

I think it was encouraged by the Council of Trent because very few would actually receive back then, either because of the longer fast or they were very scrupulous on their mortal sins. Worthiness to receive per St. Paul was taken a lot more seriously, it seems.

 

[zab]

First of all, only those who will be receiving Communion should go up in the Communion line.

Second- The priest does not pray the spiritual communion prayer for you. You do that yourself. (And like the poster above said you can do this anytime , anywhere.) You can simply say a prayer like the following:
Jesus, I believe that you are really present in the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar. I cannot now receive you sacramentally, but I ask you to come to me at least spiritually. I embrace you as already there and beg you never to be separated from me.

 

[benedictgal]

I have recently discovered something called “spiritual communion” which I have never heard of before. It’s when you’re in a state of mortal sin or aren’t a confirmed Catholic where you go up to receive communion with your arms crossed over your chest and hands on your shoulders. You can’t actually partake in the Eucharist but the priest will say the spiritual communion prayer for you. I’ve never seen this and was wondering if this is a well-known thing to do at mass? If I came up to the priest with my arms crossed, will he know to pray for spiritual communion? Is it recommended because since I’m not Catholic yet, I usually have to walk out of my pew so that I’m not blocking the way, and then when they return I have to get out of the pew so that they can get by me and sit back down. Should I just go up to the priest with my arms crossed? Can you do this in other rites besides the Latin rite, especially at a Byzantine Ruthenian divine liturgy? In the Latin rite, can “spiritual communion” be done at a traditional Latin mass?

First of all, what you described is not spiritual communion. The line is only for those who are properly disposed to receive Holy Communion. The Holy See recently came out with a document stating that these “blessings” should not be imparted during the time for the reception of Holy Communion. While the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disicpline of the Sacraments is currently studying the matter, for the time being, those who are not disposed to receive Holy Communion (RCIA, non-Catholic and those Catholics in mortal sin) should not be approaching to receive a blessing. The blessing comes a few moments later towards the end of the Mass.

Now, a spiritual communion is simply inviting Jesus to coming into your heart until such time as you are able to receive Him in Holy Communion. Pray to Him while you are kneeling in your pew and asking Him to come into your heart. It can be as simple as saying, “My Jesus, I love you with all my heart. Although I cannot receive you now, please come into my heart and make me your own. Create in me a fitting dwelling place for you so that I may fully receive you with love when my time comes.” That is about as simple as you can get. There are other prayers that have been composed for this purpose. If you were to watch the EWTN telecast of Daily Mass, you will find that during Communion, a voiceover will say a prayer of Spiritual Communion.

The saints have advocated this kind of practice for centuries, most notably St. John Bosco. I hope this helps you.

 

[brigid12]

I have recently discovered something called “spiritual communion” which I have never heard of before. It’s when you’re in a state of mortal sin or aren’t a confirmed Catholic where you go up to receive communion with your arms crossed over your chest and hands on your shoulders. You can’t actually partake in the Eucharist but the priest will say the spiritual communion prayer for you. I’ve never seen this and was wondering if this is a well-known thing to do at mass? If I came up to the priest with my arms crossed, will he know to pray for spiritual communion? Is it recommended because since I’m not Catholic yet, I usually have to walk out of my pew so that I’m not blocking the way, and then when they return I have to get out of the pew so that they can get by me and sit back down. Should I just go up to the priest with my arms crossed? Can you do this in other rites besides the Latin rite, especially at a Byzantine Ruthenian divine liturgy? In the Latin rite, can “spiritual communion” be done at a traditional Latin mass?

What you’re speaking about isn’t spiritual communion, which anyone who isn’t able to partake of the Eucharist is able to do, which you can find the prayer to on the inside cover of the missal and for which you don’t go up to the altar. Actually going up to the priest with your arms crossed is “asking” the priest to bless you individually (a layman/Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion/EMHC would only be able to pray that God blesses you since he is not ordained). It is not something that is approved by Rome therefore many priests (and congregation members) don’t like it and it is unnecessary since the priest blesses everyone in the congregation at the end of mass. Some priests and congregations will like it anyway, and tho’ it doesn’t cause the sin of sacrilege, as taking the Eucharist does if you are not in communion with all that the Church teaches, it does show disobedience, if you are a Catholic and shows disrespect (if you know that Rome doesn’t want this) if you are not yet in full communion with all the Church teaches (including being in a state of mortal sin.

I hope this helps.

 

[searn77]

I think I messed up on the description a little. Here’s a quote from an article on the Archdiocese of Denver’s website:

“Both children and adults can make a spiritual communion. They may come forward with their arms crossed and bow before the Eucharist. Then the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister could say to them kindly, ‘Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart.’ This is not a blessing, but an invitation to worship, so no gestures are made.” The rest of the article can be found here:
archden.org/archbishop/docs/2_12_03_liturgy_communion.htm

What do you think of this since it’s not a blessing? I have found some more articles that mention it online and I heard a glimpse about doing this from The Busted Halo show with Father Dave. He said people can do this but he was brief about it and didn’t explain it that much. So is it okay since it is not a blessing? Is it recommended? I have never heard about this until yesterday, and I have never seen this done (although I have only been to about 6 masses). I recognize Jesus fully present in the Eucharist, I plan on becoming Catholic and have been talking to a priest about it, I know I can’t receive the Eucharist yet, so I was wondering if doing this is okay to do? I don’t want to be disrespectful or disobedient to the faith and if it teaches against doing this, I certainly won’t do it.

 

[brigid12]

I personally haven’t seen just what he’s authorized in his archdiocese. And since this Archbishop is so very orthodox (along with being loving) I would guess that he may have gotten a dispensation from Rome for his archdiocese. It sounds like a cross between going to the altar for a blessing and saying the spiritual communion prayer. So I would think (knowing him) that it would not be disobedient or disrespectful to do this in that archdiocese. I would be leary of this practice in other diocese, tho’, until we hear more on this from Rome. Maybe the Holy See is doing an “experiment” on this practice in the archdiocese of an orthodox archbishop in order to decrease those who take Holy Communion “unworthily”.

 

[DebChris]

I think I messed up on the description a little. Here’s a quote from an article on the Archdiocese of Denver’s website:

“Both children and adults can make a spiritual communion. They may come forward with their arms crossed and bow before the Eucharist. Then the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister could say to them kindly, ‘Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart.’ This is not a blessing, but an invitation to worship, so no gestures are made.” The rest of the article can be found here:
archden.org/archbishop/docs/2_12_03_liturgy_communion.htm

What do you think of this since it’s not a blessing? I have found some more articles that mention it online and I heard a glimpse about doing this from The Busted Halo show with Father Dave. He said people can do this but he was brief about it and didn’t explain it that much. So is it okay since it is not a blessing? Is it recommended? I have never heard about this until yesterday, and I have never seen this done (although I have only been to about 6 masses). I recognize Jesus fully present in the Eucharist, I plan on becoming Catholic and have been talking to a priest about it, I know I can’t receive the Eucharist yet, so I was wondering if doing this is okay to do? I don’t want to be disrespectful or disobedient to the faith and if it teaches against doing this, I certainly won’t do it.

I have not seen where a priest or EMCH says, “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart.” It is common practice in my diocese for individuals to come forward, especially children, with their arms crossed and receive a blessing “May the Lord bless and keep you.”
Yes, the priest or EMCH does recognize that for whatever reason the person who comes forward with his/her arms crossed cannot receive at that particular time.
As others have mentioned, a spiritual communion takes place in the pew. I do not have a copy of the prayer that is generally used.

 

[benedictgal]

I have not seen where a priest or EMCH says, “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart.” It is common practice in my diocese for individuals to come forward, especially children, with their arms crossed and receive a blessing “May the Lord bless and keep you.”
Yes, the priest or EMCH does recognize that for whatever reason the person who comes forward with his/her arms crossed cannot receive at that particular time.
As others have mentioned, a spiritual communion takes place in the pew. I do not have a copy of the prayer that is generally used.

However, this is not to be done. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments sent a letter stating that while it is studying the matter, the faithful should not be approaching the altar in lieu of receiving Holy Communion. This line is only for those who are disposed to receive Our Lord, not a blessing. The blessing is given to all of the faithful a few moments later at the end of Mass.

 

[Aramis]

I think I messed up on the description a little. Here’s a quote from an article on the Archdiocese of Denver’s website:

“Both children and adults can make a spiritual communion. They may come forward with their arms crossed and bow before the Eucharist. Then the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister could say to them kindly, ‘Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart.’ This is not a blessing, but an invitation to worship, so no gestures are made.” The rest of the article can be found here:
archden.org/archbishop/docs/2_12_03_liturgy_communion.htm

What do you think of this since it’s not a blessing?

Personally, I think it is adding an unapproved, but possibly meritorious, action to the liturgy, and is thus illicit. If the bishop feels it is worthy, he should submit it for permission to implement experimentally. There is no indication that such permission exists for it.

Then again, The Ruthenian Catholics admit infants to communion. So it’s less of an issue.

 

[brigid12]

If the bishop feels it is worthy, he should submit it for permission to implement experimentally. There is no indication that such permission exists for it.

Oh, no! He’s one of the very best bishops we (US) have and it really saddens me that he’s decided to go against Rome on this - if indeed he has. I will still hope otherwise. The only “beef” I have with him is that he hasn’t allowed the EF as much as I’d like, however there we’re talking preferences, not disobedience. Something that we’re not aware of must be going on. In other diocese of the US, besides Denver, I do believe that it is illicit (although my personal thought is that it probably is meritorious - but I haven’t studied the question hardly at all and will accede to Rome on this anyway).

 

[benedictgal]

Oh, no! He’s one of the very best bishops we (US) have and it really saddens me that he’s decided to go against Rome on this - if indeed he has. I will still hope otherwise. The only “beef” I have with him is that he hasn’t allowed the EF as much as I’d like, however there we’re talking preferences, not disobedience. Something that we’re not aware of must be going on. In other diocese of the US, besides Denver, I do believe that it is illicit (although my personal thought is that it probably is meritorious - but I haven’t studied the question hardly at all and will accede to Rome on this anyway).

I think that once the letter that I mentioned in my previous post makes it to Notitiae, the official publication of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, we might well see an amendment to the website (and any other diocesan policies around the country). The letter is pretty clear about the fact that while the matter is under study, the practice should not be employed for the present.

 

[brigid12]

I think that once the letter that I mentioned in my previous post makes it to Notitiae, the official publication of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, we might well see an amendment to the website (and any other diocesan policies around the country). The letter is pretty clear about the fact that while the matter is under study, the practice should not be employed for the present.

I’ll want to keep an eye on his diocesan website - I must admit to being somewhat jaded/skeptical about many other diocese taking notice.

 

[Aramis]

Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum (2004) says the faithful are not to approach except to receive, and that pastors are to stop that abuse.

Here’s the text:
[83.] It is certainly best that all who are participating in the celebration of Holy Mass with the necessary dispositions should receive Communion. Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that Christ’s faithful approach the altar as a group indiscriminately. It pertains to the Pastors prudently and firmly to correct such an abuse.

[84.] Furthermore when Holy Mass is celebrated for a large crowd - for example, in large cities - care should be taken lest out of ignorance non-Catholics or even non-Christians come forward for Holy Communion, without taking into account the Church’s Magisterium in matters pertaining to doctrine and discipline. It is the duty of Pastors at an opportune moment to inform those present of the authenticity and the discipline that are strictly to be observed.http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html

Any approach other than to receive is directly implied by ¶83 to be an abuse.

 

[puzzleannie]

I have recently discovered something called “spiritual communion” which I have never heard of before. It’s when you’re in a state of mortal sin or aren’t a confirmed Catholic where you go up to receive communion with your arms crossed over your chest and hands on your shoulders. You can’t actually partake in the Eucharist but the priest will say the spiritual communion prayer for you. ?

Spiritual communion is a good and worthy practice, but it is not what you describe. There are some priests who invite those who are not receiving to come up for a blessing with arms crossed, but this is not part of the rubrics (set actions and words) for the Mass, and in fact, all present receive the priest’s final blessing, so it is also unnecessary.

Spiritual communion is when one cannot receive, for whatever reason, but remains in the pew, in prayer of thanksgiving for Christ’s sacrifice and presence among us, in solidarity with all those present and the Church around the world, and for the grace to overcome whatever has been the obstacle to coming to full communion.

If in your diocese or parish, the priest does invite people to come forward for a blessing, you certainly may do so if you wish.

 

[benedictgal]

If in your diocese or parish, the priest does invite people to come forward for a blessing, you certainly may do so if you wish.

However, according to the statement made by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, this activity is not supposed to happen. Priests are not free to invite those who are not receiving Holy Communion to come forward for a blessing. Therefore, this should not be happening anymore until the CDWDS concludes its study on the issue.