Act of Spiritual Communion
Please download or make a copy of the following prayer so that we can pray it together as a parish at our morning mass. We are slowly figuring out how to do this. Today we not only had the video right-way-up, but also streamed it live! Our plan is to continue to stream our mass live at 9:00 am from the Redemptorist chapel here at St. Alphonsus in Grand Rapids. I hope you can join us as we come together as a parish family, so that we can stay “prayed-up” during these difficult times.
Like St. Alphonsus, many Saints throughout the history of The Church, have promoted the practice of making a “spiritual communion” throughout the day, especially when one could not celebrate mass. Although I doubt if any of them would have envisioned a day when the vast majority of Catholics throughout the world would not be able to receive The Eucharist. But regardless of how long this crisis might last our Lord will never abandon us, never leave us orphaned. Even though we may be separated physically, we are still the body of Christ. Let us remember what Jesus said to His disciples before ascending to The Father, “I will be with you always, until the end of the age.” — I pray you are staying safe as we all try to remain healthy. God bless!
Fr. Rick
ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
By St. Alphonsus Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire that You reside always in my soul. Since I cannot, at this time, receive You sacramentally, please come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You and unite myself completely to You, as though You were already there. Please, do not ever let me be separated from You.
Amen