All public Masses/liturgies in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati have been suspended through April 12, 2020 (after Easter), and the faithful are dispensed from their obligation to attend Mass. In the meantime, it is a fitting time to make a Spiritual Communion which is a Christian practice of desiring union with Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. It is used as a preparation for Holy Mass and by individuals who cannot receive Holy Communion.
The Act of Spiritual Communion
- Make an act of faith. The key here is to express to the Lord: our faith in his merciful love and his real presence in the Eucharist.
- Make an act of love. O Lord God, I love you above all things.
- Express our desire to receive him.
- Invite Jesus to come into our hearts spiritually.
Catholics across the world are experiencing an unexpected and unfortunate fast from the Eucharist, which comes in the wake of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. In many ways, the inability of many to receive holy Communion has become an unimaginable Lenten penance. (Click to Read More on Spiritual Communion)
Since you are unable to receive Holy Communion during this time, you can make one of these prayer of Spiritual Communion to provide a source of grace in the midst of difficulty:
Go to www.ewtn.com and click on “TV” at the Mass link. Scroll to see the various Masses for streaming video.
For Sunday Mass, we encourage you to pray the “Glorious Mysteries” of the Rosary. This link shows complete information from the United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops on praying the “Glorious Mysteries”. We also recommend praying the Scriptures for the Mass of the day. There is a link on the bottom left of the home page “Today’s Mass Readings”. Click it, then choose the appropriate date.
Other Prayers Include:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 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.
Amen.
A Prayer of Pope Francis to the Blessed Virgin Mary:
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.
Prayer of USCCB President, Most. Rev. Jose Gomez:
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas. We fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana. Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, and for all our families and loved ones, the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust. In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy. Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.
Amen.