The Father William Most Collection
The Communion of Saints
[Published electronically for use in classes taught by Fr. Most and for private theological study.]
In our creed we all profess to believe in the Communion of Saints. Do we always realize the richness of this doctrine? Here are two pictures of it from official documents:
CCC 958: "Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of
making their intercession for us effective."
Leo XIII, Encyclical Mirae caritatis. DS 1363 May28, 1902, "For the communion of saints is nothing other than a mutual communication of help, expiation, prayers, benefits among the faithful, either those who have already attained the Heavenly fatherland, or are assigned to atoning fire or still in pilgrimage on earth coalesce into one city, whose head is Christ, whose form is charity.
It is easy to gather that this communion works in all directions: we can pray for the Poor Souls, they are given in some way to know this, at least in sensing some relief, and in gratitude pray for us. We asks the Saints in glory to help us, and they gladly respond, drawing on the power of the merits God gave to them during their earthly lives. Thus they help us to be ready to join them there in glory at the end of our brief lives.
