† My dearly beloved in Christ,

Peace to you in these chaotic times...
Dozens of emails, cards and phone calls are flooding the Parish Office expressing your kind thoughts. Many of you are saying this or something in the same vain, “You must be going out of your mind, not saying Mass”....

Though you, the Faithful are not present, be mindful that I am going to my “make-shift” Altar daily and offering the Sacred Sacrifice for all my flock and for the remission of the sins of the whole world. It is an odd thing to offer the Mass without a congregation, and I long for the day when the Mysteries will be released from the modern day catacombs, and I might once again be able to invite you to receive from the Table of the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb.

Until that day shall come, say your prayers, assist at Mass on the TV and offer up the pains of spiritual longing and 
withdrawal as you anticipate receiving Him. Make frequent Spiritual Communions (prayer below), and know that the abundance of Grace which comes from that pious act is to the betterment of your souls.

-- Benedictions, Father Ananias, O.S.B.

Act of Spiritual Communion for Those Who Are Unable to Communicate:

O MY MOST LOVING SAVIOUR, since I cannot have the happiness of receiving Thee this day, suffer me to gather up the precious crumbs that fall from Thy table, and to unite myself to Thy Divine Heart by faith, hope, and charity. I confess I do not deserve the children’s bread; but I venture humbly to declare that, away from Thee, my soul is dried up with thirst, and my heart cast down with faintness. Come, then, into me O my Divine Jesus! come into my mind, to illuminate it with Thy light; come into my heart, to enkindle in it the fire of Thy love, and to unite it so intimately with Thine Own, that it may be no more I that live, but Thou that livest in me, and reignest in me forever. Amen...