Sayings of the Saints on Spiritual Communion[/b]
"Spiritual Communion is very profitable; therefore do not omit it, for by it the Lord learns how much you love Him" (St. Teresa).
"I advise every one who desires to grow in love for Jesus to communicate in this spiritual manner at least once a day, during a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or at Mass. And it is better yet if it be done three times at Mass, first at the beginning, secondly at the middle, and lastly at the end of Mass. This devotion is far more salutary than many suppose, while at the same time it is very easy of practice" (St. Alphonsus).
"In order to receive Christ in the sacramental Communion profitably and properly, it is very useful that we often make a spiritual Communion (Peter Faber).
"O my Lord, what a delightful way this is to communicate, without giving my father-confessor any trouble, or depending on any one save Thyself, Who dost draw near to the solitude of my soul and speakest to my heart" (Angela of the Cross).
The Value of Spiritual Communion
Jesus once appeared to the venerable Paula Marrsca and showed her two precious vases, one of gold, the other of silver; and He said to her: "In the golden vessel I keep sacramental Communion, and in the silver vessel spiritual Communion."
To the blessed Jane of the Cross our divine Saviour once said: "As often as you make a spiritual Communion I send you a grace which is in a measure similar to the grace which I grant you in sacramental Communion."
Mode of Spiritual Communion
from St. Leonard of Port Maurice [/i]
In order to make a good spiritual Communion, be recollected, make an act of true contrition, and then awaken within you those sentiments of love and confidence which you are accustomed to have at your sacramertal Communion. Join to all that a heartfelt longing to receive Jesus Christ. Who is hidden under the sacramental forms and appearances. To heighten still further your devotion, imagine that the Blessed Virgin or your guardian angel is presenting to you the sacred Host. Repeat the words: "Come, my Jesus. Thou love and life of my soul, come into my poor heart; come and quiet my longings, come and sanctify me; yes, come, O sweet Jesus, come and abide with me forever."
Then be silent, and see within yourself your merciful God, the same as if you had actually received Him in the Blessed Sacrament; adore Him, thank Him, awaken within you all those sacred aspirations which you are in the habit of awaking at your regular Communion.
St. Juliana Falconieri
This saint had reached the age of seventy years; virtuous as she had ever been, she was tried by deep afflictions. She was prostrated with an incurable weakness of the stomach. At last she could not retain a particle of food--was totally deprived of the consolation of receiving the ever-blessed body of her Lord, which she could not receive even as Holy viaticuм. This privation caused her inexpressible grief, and so great was her mourning and weeping that it seemed as if she must die of sorrow. At last she begged a her father-confessor in the most humble terms to bring the Blessed Sacrament near her. He promised to comply with her request. When he appeared carrying the Blessed Sacrament, she prostrated herself in the form of a cross before her Lord, and adored Him. Her countenance became bright like an angel's. Then she begged for permission to touch the Blessed Sacrament with her lips, but this could not be permitted. Then she begged the priest to lay a veil on her longing, burning breast, and to place the Blessed Sacrament on it, that she might at least receive her Jesus in a spiritual Communion. This wish was complied with, when, lo! hardly had the sacred Host touched her fervent breast than it disappeared suddenly, and could be found no more. A moment afterwards St. Juliana departed this life, with a smile on her features.
Practical Application
If there is anything for which man should be thankful to God, it is certainly for the institution of the Blessed Sacrament; but we are thankful only when we make right use of this sacred mystery, as was the intention of Christ that we should do. It exists for the purpose of being to us a sacrament, a food, and a sacrifice.
As a sacrament we should regularly visit it and adore it on the feasts established in its honor, at Benediction, on Holy Thursday, during the Forty Hours' Devotion, on Corpus Christi. Although with our bodily eyes we see but the forms and appearances, faith and the words of Eternal Truth teach us that Jesus Christ Himself, both as man and God, is concealed under those forms and appearances. Though human reason may pretend to be ashamed of this mystery, our heart revels in holy joy and pure love, because it feels the presence of God.
As a sacrifice you should be present at it often, if possible daily, and there contribute to the sacrifice all that you have. It is, indeed, the same sacrifice that was once offered on the cross of Calvary to the eternal Father, with this difference: that there it was a blood-sacrifice, while here it is offered in an unbloody manner. Place yourself in spirit for a moment under the cross of the dying Saviour. What solemn feelings pervade your soul as you see your Lord and God bleeding and dying for your sake! The same sentiments should animate you when at holy Mass; for there too is Christ, Who every day offers Himself up to the eternal Father for our sins.
As celestial food you should receive the Blessed Sacrament often, and with due preparation; for it is, in truth, the nourishment of your soul and your safest pledge for eternal happiness. How much labor, effort, and care a man will undergo for his temporal success! How he longs for money, property, and honors! Oh, that you had a similar longing, a similar fondness, for your Saviour in the Blessed Sacrament! What more could God do to show you how tenderly He loves you, how earnestly He desires your happiness? How then will you excuse yourself, if you slight the love of your God by neglecting fequent Communion, and thus fail to secure grace--fail to secure your eternal salvation? Oh, do not slight Jesus Christ in your lifetime, that he may strengthen you in your death-hour, and deal gently with you on your judgment-day.