Blessed be God in His Angels and His Saints. When we recite in the Creed that we believe in “the communion of saints,” we are professing the Church’s marvelous doctrine that there is a union between the members of Church on earth, the saints in Heaven, and the souls in Purgatory because all belong to the one Mystical Body of Christ. Further, all the members of the Church can cooperate with one another in building up the Mystical Body. Let us also not forget the angels who join us in adoring and serving God and in praying for us.

Members of the Mystical Body on earth (the Church militant) can minister to one another’s spiritual and temporal needs according to their state of life; can pray, sacrifice, and earn indulgences for the poor and holy souls in Purgatory; and can honor the saints in Heaven.

The poor souls can intercede for us on earth (though not for themselves). And the saints in Heaven can pray for us and for the poor souls in Purgatory.

Belief in the communion of saints is antithetical to our secular, materialist age. To live, through constant prayer and sacrifice, the supernatural reality of the communion of saints is to confound the anti-spirit of our times. It is to give glory to God in a way that greatly pleases Him.

Following the counsel of the saints, let us go to Mary Immaculate, Mother of the Church, and beseech her to obtain from God a deep faith and the will to live the supernatural reality of the communion of saints. May Our Lady, St. Joseph, and all the angels, saints, and holy souls in Purgatory intercede for us.

© Copyright Inter Mirifica 1999

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