When unable to attend Mass, we encourage you to make make an act of “spiritual communion,” especially on Sundays. Saint Thomas Aquinas defined spiritual communion as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him.” You can use the following prayer from Saint Alphonsus Liguori to make a spiritual communion:
"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 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."
Please take advantage of the resources provided below.
When you cannot receive Communion and cannot attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you. ” St. Teresa of Avila
We encourage you and your family to reflect on the daily readings, especially on Sundays. You can access the readings on USCCB's website:
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 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. ~ Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori
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. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. ~ Pope Francis
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. ~ USCCB, Coronavirus Prayer
Prayer to St. Roch (patron of contagious illnesses)
O Blessed Saint Roch, Patron of the sick, have pity on those who lie upon a bed of suffering. Your power was so great. When you were in this world, that by the sign of the cross, Many were healed of their diseases. Now that you are in heaven, your power is not less. Offer, then, to God. our sighs and tears and obtain for us that health we seek. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Repeat the following 3 times)
Saint Roch, pray for us, That we may be preserved. From all diseases of body and soul.
I strongly encourage you to continue to 'keep holy the Sabbath,' by reflecting on the Word of God (especially the daily readings), reciting the rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet together, praying the Stations of the Cross, or in another manner. ” Bishop Wack
Provided by the USCCB