Cathal BarryThe saints in Heaven establish the whole Church in holiness, writes Cathal Barry
After confessing “the holy Catholic Church,” the Apostles’ Creed adds “the communion of saints”.
The Church recognises that the term “communion of saints” has two closely linked meanings: communion in holy things and among holy persons.
There are five Communions:
1. Communion in the Faith – This faith of the Church was received from the apostles.
2. Communion of the sacraments – Sacraments, especially Baptism, link all the faithful to each other and to Christ. The word “communion” is especially “suited for the Eucharist which brings about this communion”.
3. Communion of charisms – Within the communion of the Church, the Holy Spirit “distributes special graces among the faithful of every rank” for the building up of the Church. Now, “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good”.
4. Communion of common goods – Everything a true Christian has is to be regarded as a good possessed in common with everyone else.
5. Communion in charity – “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together” (1 Cor 12:26).
At this time, according to the Catechism, are three states of the Church. Some disciples are on earth, others have died and are being purified, and others are in full glory.
However, all of us, the Church states, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbours, “and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God”.
The saints in Heaven establish the whole Church in holiness, the Catechism states.
By their concern, our weaknesses are helped. “Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death” (St Dominic). “I want to spend my Heaven in doing good on Earth” (St Therese of Lisieux).
“We worship Christ as God’s Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord’s disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master.
“May we also be their companions and fellow disciples” (Martyrdom of Polycarp).
The Church has also always had great reverence for the dead because “it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins” (2 Macc 12:45). Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective, the Church teaches.
IN BRIEF
The Church is a “communion of saints”: this expression refers first to the “holy things” (sancta), above all the Eucharist, by which “the unity of believers, who form one body in Christ, is both represented and brought about” (Lumen Gentium 3).
The term “communion of saints” refers also to the communion of “holy persons” (sancti) in Christ who “died for all,” so that what each one does or suffers in and for Christ bears fruit for all.
“We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on Earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in Heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers” (Paul VI).