An act of Spiritual Communion may be made at every visit to Jesus in the tabernacle; at holy Mass, when we do not receive the Sacrament; occasionally during the day or at least at morning and night prayers. The pious adorer should live in constant union with Jesus.

St Teresa often said to her spiritual daughters: “As often as you hear holy Mass, although you be unable to receive Communion 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? At any time; as often as God inspires the holy desire, but especially at Mass, at Benediction, and at Visits. No particular form is required. We may use any form we please. With a contrite and a pure and loving heart, we may simply say: “Come, dearest Jesus, come into this my poor unhappy heart; come and satiate my longings; come and sanctify my soul; come, my sweetest Jesus, come.”

We read in the lives of some of the saints how Our Lord, to satisfy their burning desire to receive the Holy Eucharist, gave Himself to them in miraculous ways, as by going from the priest’s hand to St Catherine 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.

An Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus Liguori

My Jesus,
I believe that Thou art really present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
I love Thee above all things
and I desire to possess Thee within my soul.
Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
(Pause)
As though Thou wert already there,
I embrace Thee,
and unite myself wholly to Thee;
permit not that I should ever be separated from Thee.
May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ keep my soul unto Everlasting Life.
Amen.