Prayers for Communion

You are carrying a desire to draw nearer to Christ in the Eucharist, seeking to prepare your heart to receive Him and to give thanks for His real presence.

A Prayer for Preparation

Anima Christi

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. Permit me not to be separated from Thee. From the wicked foe, defend me. At the hour of my death, call me. And bid me come to Thee. That with Thy saints I may praise Thee. For ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

Almighty and eternal God, behold I come to the sacrament of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come as one sick to the physician of life, as one unclean to the fountain of mercy, as one blind to the light of eternal brightness, as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. I implore Thee, of Thine infinite goodness, to heal my sickness, to wash away my defilement, to enlighten my blindness, to enrich my poverty, and to clothe my nakedness. That I may receive the bread of angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, with such contrition and devotion, with such purity and faith, with such purpose and intention as may conduce to the salvation of my soul. Grant me, I beseech Thee, that I may receive not only the sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord, but also the grace and virtue of the sacrament. O most gracious God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which He took of the Virgin Mary, that I may be found worthy to be incorporated with His mystical body, and to be numbered among His members. O most loving Father, grant that I may one day contemplate forever, face to face, Thy beloved Son, whom now, on my pilgrimage, I am about to receive under the sacramental veil. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Short Prayers for Communion

• Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
• Jesus, my Lord and my God, I believe you are truly present in the Eucharist.
• Come, Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart.
• Make my heart ready to receive you.
• May this communion unite me more closely to you and to your Church.
• Thank you for the gift of your Body and Blood.

Prayers for Communion in Adoration

Before the Blessed Sacrament

My Lord Jesus Christ, who for the love You bear to men, remain night and day in this Sacrament, full of pity and love, awaiting, calling, and welcoming all who come to visit You; I believe that You are present in the Sacrament of the altar. I adore You and I thank You for all the graces which You have bestowed upon me, especially for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament, for having given me Your holy Mother Mary for my advocate, and for having called me to visit You in this chapel. I now salute Your most loving Heart, and this for three ends: first, in thanksgiving for this great gift; secondly, to make amends to You for all the outrages which You receive in this Sacrament from all Your enemies; thirdly, I intend by this visit to adore You in all the places on earth in which You are present in this Sacrament and in which You are the least honored and the most abandoned. My Jesus, I love You with all my heart. I grieve for having so many times offended Your infinite goodness. I purpose, with the help of Your grace, never to offend You again; and at present, miserable and unworthy though I be, I consecrate myself to You without reserve; I give You my entire will, all my affections and desires, and all that I have. From this day forward, do with me and with all that I possess whatever You will. I ask and desire only Your holy love, final perseverance, and the perfect accomplishment of Your will. I commend to You the souls in purgatory, especially those who were most devoted to this Most Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I also commend to You all poor sinners. And lastly, my dear Saviour, I unite all my affections with the affections of Your most loving Heart; and thus united, I offer them to Your eternal Father, and I entreat Him, in Your name and for Your love, to accept and answer them. Amen.

After Receiving in Adoration

Lord, I believe that you have come to me in the Holy Eucharist. I thank you for this great gift of yourself. As I kneel before you in the monstrance, I ask you to deepen my faith, to strengthen my hope, and to increase my love for you and for my neighbor. Help me to carry your presence with me throughout this day, that I may be a living tabernacle, radiating your peace and charity to all I meet. May my life be a continual act of worship and thanksgiving for your infinite love. Amen.

When Feeling Unworthy or Distracted

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, I approach your altar with a heart that is often weak and distracted. I am aware of my sins and my failings, and I know that I am not worthy to receive you. But I trust in your mercy and in your desire to come to me. You have said, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' I come to you now, weary and burdened by my own weakness. Quiet my mind, calm my heart, and purify my soul. Let my reception of your Body and Blood not be for my judgment, but for the healing of my soul and body, and for a deeper union with you. Help me to believe more firmly, hope more confidently, and love more ardently. Amen.

What Scripture Says

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. — John 6:51

This is the foundation of our belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. — 1 Corinthians 11:26

Our communion is a participation in Christ's sacrifice and a proclamation of our hope in his return.

He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. — John 6:56

The Eucharist brings about a profound mutual indwelling between Christ and the believer.

Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. — Matthew 8:8

We echo the centurion's words of humble faith before receiving Communion.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. — Acts 2:42

The early Church saw the Eucharist as central to their life together.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. — Psalm 34:8

An invitation to experience the goodness of God, which we do most intimately in the Eucharist.

Questions People Ask

What should I pray before Communion? Pray for a heart ready to receive Christ. Ask for forgiveness, faith, and a desire to be united with Him. The Anima Christi and the Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas are traditional and profound preparations.

How can I focus better during Communion? Acknowledge your distractions to God in prayer and ask for His help to quiet your mind. Gently return your focus to the reality of Christ's presence with you in the sacrament.

What does it mean to receive Communion worthily? To receive worthily means to be in a state of grace (free from mortal sin), to have fasted for one hour, and to approach with faith and reverence, believing in the real presence of Christ.

Can I receive Communion if I have venial sins? Yes, you may receive Communion if you have venial sins. The Eucharist itself strengthens us against sin. It is appropriate to make an act of contrition for these sins before receiving.

Why is Thanksgiving after Communion important? The time after receiving is a special moment of intimacy with Christ. Giving thanks honors the gift you have received and allows its grace to deepen within you before you return to your daily activities.

Related Prayers

• /prayer-library/act-of-spiritual-communion
• /prayer-library/prayers-after-communion
• /prayer-library/prayers-of-st-thomas-aquinas

These prayers can be sent to St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.