Saints Lightthe holy catholic Church, the communion of saints
The Church is God's people, made holy by Christ and sent to the whole world, which is what catholic means. The communion of saints joins every believer, on earth, in purification and in heaven, into one family.
Notice a small detail. We say I believe in God, but in the Latin original we do not believe in the Church in the same way. We believe the Church: we trust what God does through her, without confusing God with His works (CCC 750). The Church is not an object of worship. She is the place where we meet God.
The word Church comes from the Greek ekklesia, meaning those called out, an assembly gathered by God (CCC 751). The Church is not first a building or an institution. She is a people God calls together. The Nicene Creed adds two more marks to holy and catholic: one and apostolic (CCC 750, 811).
Holy does not mean that every Catholic is holy. The Church is holy because Christ, who is holy, gave Himself for her to make her holy, and because she holds all the means of holiness. At the same time, she embraces sinners and is always in need of purification (CCC 823-827). Her saints show what she is meant to be.
Catholic with a small c means universal, or more exactly, according to the whole. The Church is catholic in two senses. First, Christ is present in her, and she has the fullness of the faith, the sacraments and the ordained ministry (CCC 830). Second, she is sent to the whole human race, every nation, culture and century (CCC 831). It is not a party label; it describes what the Church is. The word is very old. St Ignatius of Antioch used the phrase Catholic Church around the year 107, on his way to martyrdom in Rome.
The communion of saints has two linked meanings: a sharing in holy things, above all the sacraments, and a communion among holy people (CCC 948). Saints here means all who belong to Christ. The Church exists in three states: pilgrims on earth, those being purified after death, and those in glory in heaven (CCC 954).
Because we are one Body, what happens to one member affects all. The saints in heaven pray for us (CCC 956). We pray for the dead, which the Church has done from her earliest days (CCC 958). And our own prayers and sacrifices help each other here on earth. No Christian is ever truly alone.
Key points
- We believe in God, and we believe the Church, trusting what God does through her.
- The Church is holy because of Christ, even though her members are sinners.
- Catholic means universal: the fullness of faith and a mission to the whole human race.
- The communion of saints unites the Church on earth, in purification, and in heaven.
The Word of God
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it: That he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish.
Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members of member.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 750-752
- CCC 811
- CCC 823-829
- CCC 830-831
- CCC 946-962
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
From the tradition
Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.
Q. Has the Church any marks by which it may be known? A. The Church has four marks by which it may be known: it is One; it is Holy; it is Catholic; it is Apostolic.
Live it this week
Write down the names of three people who have died whom you love. Pray for each of them by name every day this week, and on one day ask a saint you admire to pray for you as well.
Check yourself: three questions
1. What does catholic mean in the Creed?
- Roman, as opposed to Greek
- Universal: the fullness of the faith and a mission to all people
- Traditional, as opposed to modern
- A political party within Christianity
Show the answer
Universal: the fullness of the faith and a mission to all people. Catholic means universal, according to the totality: the Church has the fullness of faith and is sent to the whole human race (CCC 830-831).
2. How can the Church be called holy when her members sin?
- Because only perfect people are truly members
- Because sin no longer matters after Baptism
- Because the clergy are free from sin
- Because Christ makes her holy, though she embraces sinners
Show the answer
Because Christ makes her holy, though she embraces sinners. The Church is holy through Christ, yet she clasps sinners to her bosom and is always in need of purification (CCC 823-827).
3. Who belongs to the communion of saints?
- The faithful on earth, those being purified, and the blessed in heaven
- Only canonized saints in heaven
- Only clergy and religious sisters
- Only people alive right now
Show the answer
The faithful on earth, those being purified, and the blessed in heaven. The communion of saints includes the three states of the Church: pilgrims on earth, the dead being purified, and the blessed in heaven (CCC 954, 962).
Words to know
- Ekklesia
- Greek for an assembly called together; the root of the word Church.
- Catholic
- Universal, according to the whole: possessing the fullness of the faith and sent to all people.
- Communion of saints
- The sharing in holy things and among holy people that unites all who belong to Christ.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The group should understand what it means to call the Church holy and catholic and what the communion of saints is, and take to heart that they belong to one family on earth, in purification and in heaven.
Opener. Ask: "Who are the people, living or dead, who handed the faith on to you, or who first showed you what a Christian looks like?" Invite a few names and stories.
Discussion questions
- We believe in God, but we believe the Church. What is the difference? [We trust what God does through the Church; we do not put the Church in God's place.]
- How can the Church be holy when we know her members sin, sometimes gravely? [Holiness comes from Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27). Acknowledge scandals honestly; listen to anyone hurt, and point them to the priest.]
- Catholic means universal. What does that look like in our own parish? [Different languages, cultures and ages; a mission to all.]
- How does the communion of saints change the way you think about loved ones who have died? [We pray for them, and the saints pray for us. Be gentle with the grieving.]
Activity. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 aloud together. Then each person writes the names of three people who have died whom they love, and one saint they admire (5 minutes). Gather in a circle and invite each person to say one name aloud; after each name, the group answers together: Lord, have mercy, or for a saint: pray for us.
Closing prayer. Lord Jesus, You loved the Church and gave Yourself for her. Thank You for making us one family with all the saints. We pray for our dead, that they may rest in Your peace. Holy men and women of God, pray for us, and make us one in love. Amen.
Timing. Opening prayer 5 min, opener 5 min, read the lesson together 15 min, discussion 18 min, activity 12 min, closing 5 min.
Related lessons
- The Church: Why Did Jesus Found One? (Start Here, free)
- The Communion of Saints: Why Ask Them to Pray for Us? (Mary and the Saints)
- Mary and the Saints: The Family of God (Start Here, free)
- What About the Scandals? (Hard Questions)
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