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What is the definition and source of the Communion of Saints? |
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Catholic Encyclopedia The communion of saints is the spiritual solidarity which binds together the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven in the organic unity of the same mystical body under Christ its head, and in a constant interchange of supernatural offices. The participants in that solidarity are called saints by reason of their destination and of their partaking of the fruits of the Redemption (1 Cor 1:2). The damned are thus excluded from the communion of saints. The living, even if they do not belong to the body of the true Church, share in it according to the measure of their union with Christ and with the soul of the Church. The primitive community of Jerusalem, the disciples "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers." Acts 2: 42 Therefore, there is a Communion in the faith. The faith of the faithful is the faith of the Church, received from the apostles. Faith is a treasure of life which is enriched by being shared. CCC 949 Communion of the sacraments. "The fruit of all the sacraments belongs to all the faithful. All the sacraments are sacred links uniting the faithful with one another and binding them to Jesus Christ, and above all Baptism, the gate by which we enter into the Church. The communion of saints must be understood as the communion of the sacraments. . . . The name 'communion' can be applied to all of them, for they unite us to God. . . . But this name is better suited to the Eucharist than to any other, because it is primarily the Eucharist that brings this communion about." [Roman Catechism I,10,24] CCC 950 |
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What makes us a communion of Saints and how do we stay in it? |
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Catechism of St. Thomas Aquinas Just as in a our natural body the operation of one member works for the good of the entire body, so also is it with a spiritual body, such as is the Church. Because all the faithful are one body, the good of one member is communicated to another: "And every one, members one of another."[Rom 12: 5] So, among the points of faith which the Apostles have handed down is that there is a common sharing of good in the Church. This is expressed in the words, "the Communion of Saints." Among the various members of the Church, the principal member is Christ, because He is the Head: "He hath made Him head over all the Church, which is His body."[Eph 1:22, 23] Christ communicates His good, just as the power of the head is communicated to all the members. This communication is broth about through the Sacraments of the Church, in which the power of Christ’s Passion operates, and whose effect is the bestowal of grace for the remission of sins. We must also know that not only the efficacy of the Passion of Christ is communicated to us, but also the merits of His life; and, moreover, all the good that all the Saints have done is communicated to all who are in the state of grace, because all are one: "I am a partaker of all them that fear Thee."[Ps 118: 63] Therefore, he who lives in charity participates in all the good that is done in the entire world; but more especially does he benefit for whom some good work is done; since one man certainly can satisfy for another. Thus, through this communion we receive two benefits. One is that the merits of Christ are communicated to all; the other is that the good of one is communicated to another. Those who are excommunicated, however, because they are cut off from the Church, forfeit their part of all the good that is done, and this is a far greater loss than being bereft of all material things. There is a danger lest the devil impede this spiritual help in order to tempt one; and when one is thus cut off, the devil can easily overcome him. Thus it was in the primitive Church that, when one was excommunicated, the devil even physically attacked him. |
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What are some Scripture supports for the Communion of Saints? |
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Mark 12:27 - In Christ we are alive, not dead even after our natural death. Spiritually we live.
John 2:3-5 - Jesus answers Mary's intercession. We too should go to Mary to ask her for her prayers. “Do whatever he tells you.” Mary to the head waiter.
Romans 8:35-39 - Death does not separate the communion of the body of Christ because we are united in Christ.
Ephesians 3:14,15 - We are all one family united together, whether we are on heaven or on earth.
Colossians 1:18,24 - We are the body, Jesus is the head of the church.
1 Corinthians 11:1-3 - We should imitate Paul as he imitates Christ. 1 Cor 12: 25 the Church is the body of Christ and there must be no discord, but they must care for one another. Immediately applies to the saints on earth and also applies to saints in heaven as the Church is ONE and HOLY.
1 Peter 2:5 - We should offer spiritual sacrifices to God as one holy priesthood.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 - Paul urges intercessions and prayer be made for all people. It is okay to pray for each other and offer mediation in and to Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5 - While there is one mediator of the new covenant there are many intercessors in that covenant.
1 John 3:2 - The saints in heaven are more aware of God and more alive than we are now.
Hebrews 12:1, 22, 23- We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses; Heavenly Jerusalem has angels and saints praising God.
Revelation 5:8, 6:9-11 - The prayers of the saints are offered and answered at the throne of God. |
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