I am not always able to go to mass, so I was wondering if making an act of spiritual communion is acceptable for fulfilling my Sunday obligations? Should I bring it up in the confessional that I am doing this when I cannot get to mass? Or, should I just attend at the local N.O. mass, the form of which is questionable?

Thanks in advance!

No, an Act of Spiritual Communion does not fulfill the obligation. Neither for example, would be watching a live televised Mass.

However it is of course pricelessly good to make Acts of Spiritual Communion, and a good idea especially when one cannot go to Holy Mass.


'In this golden ciborium I put your Sacramental Communions. In this silver ciborium I put your Spiritual Communions. Both ciboriums are quite pleasing to Me.'

Our Lord Jesus Christ, to St. Catherine of Siena

'If you practice the holy exercise of Spiritual Communion a good many times each day, within a month you will see yourself completely changed.'

St. Leonard of Port Maurice


I read that Blessed Agatha of the Cross so pined away with love of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, that if not for being taught the practice of Spiritual Communion by her confessor, it is said she would have died.

And since then she made two hundred Spiritual Communions a day.

What are the rubrics for Spiritual Communion?

That's a good question, Spork.  


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Yes you can make any sort of prayer fitting for it.

'As in all visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament, a Spiritual Communion is recommended; it will be well to explain what it is, and the great advantages which result from its practice. A spiritual communion, according to Saint Thomas, consists in an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament, and in lovingly embracing Him as if we had actually received Him.

How pleasing these spiritual communions are to God, and the many graces which He bestows through their means, was manifested by Our Lord Himself to Sister Paula Maresca, the foundress of the convent of Saint Catherine of Sienna in Naples, when (as it is related in her life) He showed her two precious vessels, the one of gold, the other of silver. He then told her that in the gold vessel He preserved her sacramental communions, and in the silver one her spiritual communions. He also told Blessed Jane of the Cross that each time that she communicated spiritually, she received a grace of the same kind as the one that she received when she really communicated. Above all, it will suffice for us to know that the holy Council of Trent (Session 13, C. 8) greatly praises spiritual communions, and encourages the faithful to practice them.

All those who desire to advance in the love of Jesus Christ are exhorted to make a spiritual communion at least once in every visit that they pay to the Most Blessed Sacrament, and at every Mass that they hear; and it would even be better on these occasions to repeat the communions three times, that is to say, at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. This devotion is far more profitable than some suppose, and at the same time nothing can be easier to practice. The above-named Blessed Jane of the Cross used to say, that a spiritual communion can be made without anyone remarking on it, without fasting, without the permission of our director, and that we can make it at any time we please; an act of love does all.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori


Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe Thou art really present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. I love Thee above everything else, and I long to receive Thee into my soul. I cannot now receive Thee in Holy Communion, but I beg Thee to come to me at least spiritually. I embrace Thee as already there, and unite myself entirely to Thee. Grant that I may never be separated from Thee!
I adore Thee every moment!

A  Spiritual Communion by Saint Conrad

I have come to spend a few moments with Thee, O Jesus, and in spirit I prostrate myself in the dust before Thy Holy Tabernacle to adore Thee, my Lord and God, in deepest humiliy. Once more a day has come to its close, dear Jesus, another day which brings me nearer to the grave and my beloved heavenly home. Once more, O Jesus, my heart longs for Thee, the true Bread of Life, which containes all sweetness and relish. O my Jesus, mercifully grant me pardon for the faults and ingratitutde of this day, and come to me to refresh my poor heart which longs for Thee. As the heart pants for the waters, as the parched earth longs for the dew of heaven, even so does my poor heart long for Thee, Thou Fount of Life. I love Thee, O Jesus, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and out of love for Thee I regret sincerely all my sins. May Thy peace and Thy benediction be mine now and always and for all eternity. Amen.

.. There are many more good Acts of Spiritual Communion, look them up, use them or use them as the base example for how you pray it.