Communion of Saints

One of the most consoling truths of our faith is the reality of the Communion of Saints – the Church triumphant in heaven, the Church suffering in purgatory, and the Church militant on earth, all helping one another. In this meditation we use texts from Scripture, the Catechism, St Bernard, St Thomas More, St Therese of Lisieux and St Josemaria to consider how:

• The saints in heaven “fix the Church more firmly in holiness” by their example and prayer for us
• We should have as the goal of our life to be with them for all eternity
• The souls in purgatory suffer greatly and are exceedingly happy, relying on our prayer for them and interceding for us before God
• In the Church militant, we are helped by the prayers of all in this Communion and we should feel responsible to help the others by our struggle for holiness and our prayers and works.