| ©2018 St. Blasius Old Parish Church, Shanklin
Guidance on Spiritual Communion and Coronavirus
The
term
‘Spiritual
Communion’
has
been
used
historically
to
describe
the
means
of
grace
by
which
a
person,
prevented
for
some
serious
reason
from
sharing
in
a
celebration
of
the
Eucharist,
nonetheless
shares
in
the
communion
of
Jesus
Christ.
The
form
of
prayer
below
offers
Christians
an
opportunity
to
give
thanks
for
their
communion
with
him,
particularly
at
times
when
they
would
ordinarily
be
present
at the Eucharist.
The
Book
of
Common
Prayer
instructs
us
that
if
we
offer
ourselves
in
penitence
and
faith,
giving
thanks
for
the
redemption
won
by
Christ
crucified,
we
may
truly
‘eat
and
drink
the
Body
and
Blood
of
our
Saviour
Christ’,
although
we
cannot
receive
the
sacrament
physically
in
ourselves.
Making
a
Spiritual
Communion
is
particularly
fitting
for
those
who
cannot
receive
the
sacrament
at
the
great
feasts
of
the
Church,
and
it
fulfils
the
duty
of
receiving
Holy
Communion
‘regularly,
and
especially
at
the
festivals
of
Christmas, Easter and Whitsun or Pentecost’ (Canon B 15).
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Read the following words from Scripture. If you have access to today’s readings for Holy Communion, you may wish to read and
reflect on them.
Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
John 6.35
Pray for the needs of the world, for your local community, and for those close to you. End with the Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father……..
Give thanks for the saving death and resurrection of Jesus and ask him to be with you now.
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne
for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. O most merciful
redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by
day. Amen.
after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester You might then add one or more of the following prayers:
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’. Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Hear my
prayers for others and for myself, and keep me in your care. Amen. O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that
you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord, in these days of mercy, make us quiet and prayerful; in these days of challenge, make us stronger in you; in these
days of emptiness, take possession of us; in these days of waiting, open our hearts to the mystery of your cross.
Angela Ashwin
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks for all your
goodness and loving kindness. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all
for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the
hope of glory. And give us, we pray, such a sense of all your mercies that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and
that we show forth your praise, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by
walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the
Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Conclude with the following:
The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and keep us in eternal life. Amen.
The Church of which we are members is not defined by the walls of a building but by the Body of Christ of which we are members. In
making our communion spiritually, we are joining with Christians everywhere to be nourished by the one who tells us, ‘I am the Bread of
Life’. In making a Spiritual Communion, you may wish to pray all or part of the following, as you are able. You may wish to find a space for
prayer in front of a cross, a candle, or a special place. You might choose to make your Spiritual Communion at a particular time of day, or
after viewing a live streamed service.
Reflect on the day and on your relationships. - What good things have come from God today? - Where have I fallen short? - What might I do
tomorrow?
You may wish to say or pray