Pope Francis’ Prayer for Spiritual Communion:

Published on April 21, 2020

I prostrate myself at your feet, Jesus, and I offer you the repentance of my contrite heart, and I humble myself in nothingness in your Holy Presence. I adore you in the Sacrament of your love; I desire to receive you in the poor abode that my heart offers you. While waiting for the happiness of a Sacramental Communion, I want to possess you in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, that I may come to you. May your love inflame my whole being. In life and in death. I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. Amen.

(This prayer is one expressing the wish to receive Communion, at a time like the present when the Sacrament isn’t available to us.)

Reflection

Following one’s vocation is a response from within to the needs outside us. A vocation meets the human needs of the world but with a motivation from within. We care for our children and grandchildren not just because they are sick or insecure, but because we love them. this love will move us out to help them in various situations. We find a call to be ‘people for others’ because our heart teaches us that with Jesus we are all brothers and sisters, and that God wants to save the world, and needs our help to do so. This is the Sunday we all pray that our particular vocation in life may become clear and may become stronger. God calls each of us to love God and love our neighbour. This is the first Christian calling at our Baptism; we then find the best way for each of us with our own particular set of gifts, talents and even weaknesses to live out that call to love. We think especially today of religious life and priesthood. There are needs for priests, sisters and brothers in most parts of the world. as a community in families and parishes we thank those who have given their lives in these vocations and pray they may increase.