Be there even if you can't.
by Fred Schaeffer, SFO (© 2006)

    Many people would love to be at church more often, but due to work, health, family obligations, etc., they cannot be there. There is a way to be there even if you can't, and that is spiritually. No, this is not virtual reality, this IS reality. St. Thomas Aquinas, that great Doctor of the Church, teaches us, even today, that a "Spiritual Communion consists of an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and in lovingly embracing Him."

     St. Alphonsus Liguori gave us a short Act of Spiritual Communion: My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things, and I desire to receive Thee into my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace Thee as if Thou wert already come, and unite myself wholly to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.

    Acts of Spiritual Communion are perfect ways of uniting ourselves with Jesus and Mary when, for example, we cannot be at daily Mass (that is, Monday through Saturday). On Sundays and Holidays of Obligation we must attend Holy Mass. Catholics do this with great joy. If this is not the case, one should talk to a priest or deacon in the church.

    St. Francis of Assisi put it another way: May the burning and most sweet power of Thy love, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech Thee, absorb my mind, that I may die through love of Thy love, Who was graciously pleased to die through love of my love.

    Even if you cannot be present in Church, in front of the Tabernacle to pray to Jesus present therein, we can ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us realize the great presence of Jesus in our lives and to help us be open to Him at all times, to refrain from sin. Sin is the greatest obstacle to our love of God. St. Bonaventure said, "If you love God you do not sin. If you still sin, you do not love Him enough." So allow Mary to help us break down the barriers that keep us from Her Son, so that the Act of Spiritual Communion which we often say really comes from our heart and soul.

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