Communion of Saints

Earth, Heaven and Purgatory What is the Communion of Saints? Properly speaking, it refers to three grouping of people:
1) Those on Earth—The Church Militant;
2) The saints in Heaven—The Church Triumphant;
3) The souls in Purgatory—The Church Suffering.
The unique focus is on the “communion” aspect. We are called to be in union with each and every member of Christ. There is a spiritual bond with one another insofar as we are each individually united with Christ. Let’s start with those on Earth (the Church Militant)

THE CHURCH MILITANT:
What brings about our unity more than anything else is the simple but profound fact that we are one with Christ. This union with Christ happens in various ways. But, ultimately, every person who is in some way in the grace of God is part of His Body, the Church. This forges a deep union not only with Christ but also with one another.
We see this shared communion manifested in various ways:
–Faith: Our shared faith makes us one.
–Sacraments: We are each fed by these precious gifts of God’s presence in our world.
–Charism: Each person is entrusted with unique gifts to be used for the upbuilding of other members of the Church.
–Common possessions: The early Church shared their possessions. As members today, we see the need for constant charity and generosity with the goods with which we have been blessed. We are to use them for the good of the Church first and foremost.
–Charity: In addition to the sharing of material things, we more importantly share our love. This is charity, and it has the effect of uniting us.
As members of the Church on Earth, then, we are automatically united with each other. This communion with one another goes to the heart of who we are. We were made for unity, and we experience the good fruit of human fulfilment when we experience unity and share in it.
THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT:
Those who have gone before us and now share in the glories of Heaven, in the Beatific Vision, are not gone. Sure, we do not see them, and we cannot necessarily hear them speak to us in the physical way they did while on Earth. But they are not gone at all. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux said it best when she said, “I want to spend my Heaven doing good on Earth.”
The saints in Heaven are in full union with God and make up the Communion of Saints in Heaven, the Church Triumphant! What’s important to note, however, is that even though they are enjoying their eternal reward, they are still very much concerned about us.
The saints in Heaven are entrusted with the important task of intercession. Sure, God already knows all our needs, and He could ask us to go directly to Him in our prayers. But the truth is that God wants to use the intercession, and, therefore, the mediation of the saints in our lives. He uses them to bring our prayers to Him and, in return, to bring His grace to us. They become powerful intercessors for us and participators in God’s divine action in the world.
The saints also give us a model of holiness. The charity they lived on Earth lives on. The witness of their love and sacrifice was not just a one-time act in history. Rather, their charity is a living reality and continues to have an effect for the good. Therefore, the charity and witness of the saints lives on and affects our lives. This charity in their lives creates a bond with us, a communion. It enables us to love them, admire them and want to follow their example. It is this, coupled with their continuing intercession, which establishes a powerful bond of love and union with us.
THE CHURCH SUFFERING:
The Catholic Church teaches that each human being has an immortal soul, created in God’s image and likeness. It is our personal responsibility to make sure that our soul is in a state of grace – free from sin. This is not to say that we do not sin, but rather that we seek forgiveness for our sins. Should we harm another person, we must seek their forgiveness. Should we violate God’s commandments and Church teaching, we must seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
We all know, however, that sin has lasting effects. When we harm a relationship with a loved one, we know that it takes time, trust and honesty to rebuild that relationship. And so it is with God.
Every immortal soul has but one of two eternal destinations: Heaven or Hell. Yet God, in His infinite mercy and wisdom allows for purification of souls even after death, which we call Purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that, “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven”.
As we are reflecting about the Communion of Saints, let us understand that those going through this final purification are still in communion with God, with those members of the Church on Earth, and with those in Heaven. For example, we are called to pray for those in Purgatory. Our prayers are effective. God uses those prayers, which are acts of our love, as instruments of His grace of purification. He allows us and invites us to participate in their final purification by our prayers and sacrifices. This forges a bond of union with them. And no doubt the saints in Heaven especially offer prayers for those in this final purification as they await full communion with them in Heaven. It’s a glorious thought and a joy to see how God has orchestrated this entire process for the ultimate purpose of the sacred communion to which we are called!

Ashodi Ferro