Act of Spiritual Communion
St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote this in the 1700s for people who could not get to Mass or were not able to receive. It asks Jesus to come into the heart the way he comes in the Eucharist. Millions prayed it when churches closed in 2020, and it is a sound prayer at any Mass while others go up to Communion.
St. Alphonsus Liguori, 18th century
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 spiritually 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.