The Communion of Saints is a treasure trove of the Catholic faith, often mentioned but seldom thoroughly explored. At its core, this doctrine teaches us about the mystical relationship that binds the faithful—those on earth, those in Heaven, and those in Purgatory. Far from being a theological abstraction, understanding the Communion of Saints can bring us into a deeper, more fruitful relationship with God and the Church.
What is the Communion of Saints?
In plain terms, the Communion of Saints is a big family get-together of everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Just like in a family, each member plays a unique role, but everyone is united in love. The term “communion” comes from the Latin “communio,” which means sharing or fellowship. In this fellowship, every believer shares in the good stuff: the love, the grace, the prayers, and even the challenges.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) sums it up this way: “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” (CCC 962). This reminds us that the Church isn’t just the people we see at Mass on Sundays; it’s much bigger than that.
Biblical Foundations
The New Testament offers us a clear glimpse of this communion. One of the most famous quotes from St. Paul explains how we are all part of one body: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12).
In Ephesians, St. Paul adds that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5), highlighting the unity among believers, which transcends time and space.
The Three States of the Church
The Church Militant
Those of us still alive on earth are known as the Church Militant. “Militant” doesn’t mean aggressive or warlike; it comes from a Latin word that means “to serve as a soldier.” We’re in a spiritual battle, fighting against sin and working hard to follow Jesus.
The Church Suffering
These are the souls in Purgatory, undergoing purification before entering Heaven. The Catechism says that these souls are assured of their eternal salvation but are “still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030).
The Church Triumphant
These are the souls in Heaven who’ve made it. They are free from all suffering and are in eternal happiness, beholding God face-to-face. They’re called “triumphant” because they’ve overcome the struggles of earthly life and now share in Christ’s victory over sin and death.
What’s In It for Us?
Intercessory Prayer
One of the coolest things about the Communion of Saints is that we can pray for each other. You can ask your grandparent in Heaven to pray for you just like you’d ask a friend to pray for you. The Church has always venerated the saints and asked for their intercession. The Catechism states, “Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness” (CCC 956).
The Treasury of Merit
In a family, when one person has something good, it often benefits the whole family. Similarly, in the Communion of Saints, the goodness (or “merits”) of Jesus, Mary, and all the saints can benefit us all. The Catechism explains that these merits form a “treasury,” which is “not the sum total of the material goods which have accumulated during the course of the centuries. On the contrary, the ‘treasury of the Church’ is the infinite value, which can never be exhausted, which Christ’s merits have before God” (CCC 1476).
Learning from the Lives of the Saints
We often look to older siblings or relatives for guidance. In the same way, the saints provide us with stellar examples of how to live a holy life. They are models of virtues like courage, patience, and humility. We can study their lives and ask for their prayers to help us grow closer to God.
Universal Teaching Vs. Theological Opinion
It’s important to distinguish between what is universal Church teaching and what is theological opinion. The doctrine of the Communion of Saints, as outlined in the Catechism, is a universal teaching that all Catholics are obliged to believe.
However, there are theological opinions and devotions within this doctrine that are not universally binding. For instance, the idea that a specific saint is the patron of a specific cause (like St. Anthony as the patron saint of lost items) is more of a pious tradition than a formal doctrine.
Conclusion
The Communion of Saints is a profound reality that enriches our understanding of the Church. This isn’t just theological jargon but a living, breathing communion of believers that spans Heaven and earth. Through this fellowship, we are reminded that we are never alone; we are part of a much larger family bound together in Christ’s love. Understanding this can transform our spiritual lives, drawing us closer to God and to each other. So let us embrace this beautiful teaching and grow in holiness, supported by the prayers and merits of our brothers and sisters in this wonderful Communion of Saints.