When you can’t take part in Holy Mass
These are difficult times. But God is with us.
When on Wednesday night I saw the information from our bishops, decreeing the measures that they have chosen to respond to the present situation, I thought it must have broken their hearts to write it. But it’s the right thing to do, playing our part to keep each other safe, save lives, and support the NHS.
Holy Mass will be celebrated by priests each day, but without any of the lay faithful present. The grace of the sacred mysteries will not cease to flow out from God’s altars.
Many people will be deeply saddened to go without Holy Communion for a while. But we can all make a spiritual communion, in which we seek the grace that we would have been granted if we consumed the Blessed Sacrament.
One form of spiritual communion that has comforted and nourished people for many years is this: “I wish, oh Lord, to receive you with the purity, humility and devotion with which your most holy Mother received you, in the spirit and fervour of all the saints.”
You might want to prepare for that spiritual communion that with an act of faith in the real presence. Simply express in your own words your faith in
the presence of your loving saviour within the tabernacles of the world.
This information first appeared in our parish newsletter.