Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/524



1. "My Jesus,  I  believe  that  Thou  art  truly present  in  the  most  blessed  sacrament. I  love  Thee  above  all  things  and  I  desire  to  possess Thee  within  my  soul.  Since  I  am  unable  now  to  receive Thee  sacramentally,  come  at  least  spiritually  into  my heart.  I  embrace  Thee  as  being  already  there,  and  unite myself  wholly  to  Thee  ;  never,  never  permit  me  to  be separated  from  Thee."

2. St.  Teresa  was  wont  to  say  to  her  spiritual  daughters: "As  often  as  you  hear  Holy  Mass,  although  you be  unable  to  communicate  sacramentally,  you  can  make a  spiritual  communion,  which  is  of  great  value." The Council of  Trent  requires  for  a  spiritual  communion an ardent  desire,  lively  faith,  and  fervent  charity. How often shall  we  communicate  spiritually? As often  as God  inspires  the  holy  desire,  at  any  time,  but  especially at Mass,  at  Benediction,  and  at  Visits. No particular form is  required. With a  contrite  and  loving  heart, we may  simply  say:  "Come,  dearest  Jesus,  come  into my  heart;  come  and  satiate  my  longing;  come  and sanctify  my  soul ;  come,  my  sweetest  Jesus,  come."

3. We  read  in  the  lives  of  some  of  the  saints  how Our Lord,  to  satisfy  their  burning  desire  to  receive the Holy  Eucharist,  communicated  Himself  to  them in miraculous  ways,  as  by  going  from  the  priest's hand  to  St.  Catharine  of  Sienna,  and  to  blessed  Imelda, or piercing  through  the  breast  of  St.  Juliana  Falconieri, or as  by  the  hands  of  angels  or  of  His  blessed  Mother to St. Bonaventure and  St. Stanislaus. In various ways and  by  signal  miracles,  Jesus  has  manifested  His approbation of  spiritual  communion.