What is Spiritual Communion? In simplest terms, a Spiritual Communion is an expression of the desire to receive the Blessed Sacrament and to receive the effects of the Blessed Sacrament. Many, many saints have endorsed this expression of faith. There are many prayers for Spiritual Communion that you can Google but most of us at OLPH are very familiar with a very powerful one- the Anima Christi. First Communion classes in the past couple of years have even learned the American Sign Language for this prayer. Seeing and using the signs even make the prayer that much more expressive.
In 1214, Our Lady appeared to St. Dominic and said the remedy for the world's woes is the Rosary. She taught him that if the Rosary is prayed fervently, then it will bear fruit, with many graces for souls and many conversions-and that with it will come many saints. Our Lady also said to offer sacrifices, do penance, and pray the Rosary for the salvation of souls! The Rosary is one of the most powerful ways of relieving the souls in purgatory because of the indulgences attached to it. In Mary's apparitions of Fatima, Lourdes, Beauraing, and Banneaux, the message is a call of personal conversion, prayer, and charity. A rosary hung from her arm in all four apparitions, reconfirming that the Rosary is a key devotion for conversion. St. Lucia of Fatima was asked when world peace would be restored. She answered: "When a sufficient number of people respond to the Blessed Virgin Mary's call to pray the Rosary and to offer sacrifices for the conversion of sinners." St. Faustina Prayer Book for the Conversion of Sinners On Tuesdays and Fridays we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
In a letter addressed to the clergy, religious, and laity today, Archbishop Gregory Aymond announced the cancellation of all public Masses, the upcoming Evenings of Confession, Stations of the Cross, and other gatherings at churches effective immediately. This is to encourage the faithful to comply with the instructions of President Trump and Governor Edwards. Both reduced the recommended number of people to gather in light of the spread of COVID-19.
Due to the ongoing concern of the coronavirus, we will be applying some precautionary measures to our Mass. We will be suspending the physical contact during the Our Father and the sign of peace. We will also suspend the distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful via the CHALICE.