As we receive Holy Communion, we receive the greatest gift possible, the gift of Jesus Christ in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We are never so close to Him than when we receive the Eucharist. Some might object, saying that they can experience Jesus better in other ways, such as out in nature or in the quiet of their homes. “God is everywhere”, so the argument goes. Regarding Christ’s presence par excellence in the Eucharist, the Catechism explains it this way:
The mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as “the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.” In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.” “This presence is called ‘real’ – by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present.” (CCC 1374)
Since this is the case, then our quite prayer after receiving Holy Communion should be a very special moment for us, in which we savor His presence within us and speak to Him from the depths of our hearts in thanksgiving for His gift.
Perhaps one of the most helpful ways of entering into this prayer is to close one’s eyes so as to not be distracted. It can tempting to notice everybody else as they process to the altar and then back to their pews. We might see friends who we want to catch up with after Mass. But our focus at this point should really be on the Lord. Focusing on others at this point is sort of like having somebody talk to us, yet not looking at them. It is disrespectful. Our experience of worship at Mass is indeed communal, so there is always a horizontal dimension to it, by which we pray with and for those gathered with us. We even direct our attention to individuals when making the Sign of Peace. But at Mass, the primary focus is the vertical dimension. We are there first and foremost to worship God, to enter more fully into communion with Him, and as we receive the Eucharist, that vertical dimension is our focus.
One of my favorite prayers to pray after receiving Holy Communion comes from a beautiful prayer composed by St. Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio. There are several petitions that he makes to Jesus, but they all start in a similar way: “Stay with me, Lord” You can look up the full prayer online, but I find it a powerful prayer to just say over and over: “Stay with me, Lord.” Another beautiful prayer that many people love to pray after Holy Communion is the Anima Christi, which is Latin for “Soul of Christ”, the first words of the prayer. Here it is in full:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy Wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me,
And bid me come to Thee.
That with Thy saints, I may praise Thee.
Forever and ever. Amen.
The words do not need to be complicated or long. In fact, no words are needed. Just being quiet, knowing with firm faith that Jesus is with you, is enough and can express more than words ever can. Whatever you choose to do with this prayer, the most important thing to do is to not omit it. What a truly special and sacred moment we miss for intimacy with Our Lord if we fail to spend a few moments in recollection with Him.
Father Alford