Devotion of the day: spiritual communion

What does it consist of. The loving soul always longs to join with Jesus; and, if she could, she would approach Holy Communion several times a day, as St. Veronica Giuliani sighed. He makes up for it with spiritual Communion which, according to St. Thomas, consists in an ardent desire and in a holy hunger to receive Communion and to participate in the graces of those who communicate with the due dispositions. It is a loving embrace of Jesus, it is a fervent squeeze of the heart, it is a spiritual kiss. You don't know how to do them, because you don't love.

Its merits. The Council of Trent and the Saints warmly recommend it and the good ones practice it frequently, because it is a powerful means to excite us, it is not subject to vanity, remaining completely secret between the heart and God, and it can be repeated every moment. Moreover, in the ardor of affection, in the purity of intention, a soul can deserve greater graces with it than with a cold Communion. Do you do it?

How to practice. When the time is enough, the same acts suggested for the real Communion can be done, supposing that Jesus himself communicates to us with his hand, and thanking him wholeheartedly. If time is short, it should be done with three acts: 1 ° of faith in Jesus; 2 ° of desire to receive it; 3 ° of love and offering of one's heart. For those who are used to it, a sigh is enough, a Jesus of mine; a I love you, I desire you: Come to me, I embrace you, never go away from me again. Does it seem so difficult?

PRACTICE. - Procure, throughout the day, to make spiritual Communions, and get into this habit.