[stockpirate]

Heart!

You wrote: “I think a number of Protestants manage to make a “spiritual communion” or something very like it, without knowing it.”

My point was reflected back to you. One should not assume as you that everyone is having less of a walk with God then they are. Even if not from the same church. Notice I didn’t say faith, for it should be one faith, one God, one Lord.

While most of what I may beleive about God is different than others doesn’t make me less or better.

We are all walking on the same path headng in the same direction.

For who can resist the will of the Lord?

[Mad Dawg]

Okay. Here's the deal. For us feelthy Papists "spiritual communion" is almost a term of art. It specifically means an act of intention or desire to commune with Christ and to receive as many as possible of the benefits thereof while not able actually to receive the Sacred Body and Precious Blood. (say, because you got to Mass too late or because you're in the hospital or something).

For instance, my little Catholic Pocket Prayer Book has the following, presented here in its entirety:

Spiritual Communion

When unable to receive Holy Communion, one may use this prayer of St. Francis:

I believe that you, O Jesus, are in the most holy Sacrament. I love you and desire you. Come into my heart. I embrace you. Oh, never leave me. May the burning and most sweet power of your love, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech you, absob my mind that I may die through love of your love, Who were graciously pleased to die through love of my love.

So the term "spiritual communion" has a specific meaning, which is why I asked what you meant by your use of the term. What I was saying was that I am confident that while many protestants do not have "valid" sacraments, still they make an inention or have a desire similar to what is expressed (in Francis's inimitable way) in that "act" and consequently they receive many blessings through that act and desire, which are blessings themselves.

I was also agreeing that many who have had their "ticket punched" by going to confessions and making a half-hearted confession and act of contrition still have no clue of the Gospel of the Love of Christ or of what we believe to be true about the most holy Sacrament and the incredible miracle which it is.

Of course God isn't done with most of us, so this is kindof a silly statement, but I think a Protestant who has truly (and repeatedly and persistently) invited Christ into his heart is manifesting and receiving wonderful graces, while a Catholic who treats confession and the Mass carelessly is in grave peril.

If that's not better, is it at least clearer?