When we are unable to receive Holy Communion sacramentally, we may still make an act of Spiritual Communion. Saint Thomas describes this as ‘an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him.’ The prayers given below are one way of expressing this desire.
The Confiteor
I confess to Almighty God, to the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
Here make an examination of conscience.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they have deserved Thy dreadful punishments, because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ; and most of all because they offend Thine infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee, and carefully to avoid the occasions of sin.
Act of Spiritual Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Son of God; I believe that You are here truly present in the most Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I worship Your unseen sacramental presence with all the powers of my soul. I love You above all things, and I earnestly desire to receive Your life-giving, healing grace. Acknowledging my many sins and failings, I ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. Since I am not now about to receive You sacramentally in Holy Communion, I ask You to come spiritually into my soul, and to bestow on me all the graces which flow from Your Sacred Heart. I unite myself to You, as fully as I am able, and I ask that with the help of Your grace I may remain united to You, my greatest good, my final end. I ask You to sustain me in this life with Your presence, and then, when this life is over, to receive me into the joys of Your Kingdom, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit, You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.