Communion of the Saints

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Communion of the SaintsCCC 962: We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who arepilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all

together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful

love of God and his saints is always attentive to our prayers.

--In the Apostles Creed we say: We believe in the Communion of Saints.

Asking For the Prayers of Others in the Bible

Pray for one another, that you may be saved (James 5:16) God ordered Abimelech

to ask for Abrahams prayers, He shall pray for thee and thou shalt live. (Gen. 20:7)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the charity

of the Holy Spirit, that you help me in your prayers for me to God. (Rom. 15:30)

Church Militant- People Earth-They have to struggle ceaselessly against theenemies of the soul. They can relieve the sufferings of the souls in purgatory byprayer, fasting, and other good works, by indulgences, and by Masses offered forthem.

Church Suffering- Souls in Purgatory- They still have to expiate for their sinsbefore they can enter heaven. They to the angels and saints and pray for the livingon earth. They cannot merit anything, either for themselves or for the living, butthey intercede for us.

Church TriumphantSaints in Heaven- They have gained the crown of victory.

The blessed in heaven can help those in purgatory and on earth by praying for them.Those on earth should honor them and pray to them, because they are worthy of

honor and as friends of God will help the faithful on earth. This is why we pray to theangels and saints that they may intercede for us before God the Father, who hasmade us to share of the lot of the saints in light. (Col. 1:12). When our loved ones

die, they are not separated from us forever. Whether in heaven or purgatory, theystill love us and pray for us.


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The Communion of Saints

Jesus the One Mediator and Mary the Mediatrix of All Graces

If Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man, than why do we call

Mary, the Mediatrix of All Graces?

First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and

thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that

we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good

and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come

to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator

between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave

himself as ransom for all. ( 1Tim. 2:1-6)--All of us are mediate for one another with supplications, prayers,

petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone. We help each other

to get to heaven.

--Our Lords Mediation is Different. His mediation was accomplished as God,

who gave Himself as a ransom for all. No one could give oneself as a

ransom for all, except God. Only Jesus can redeem us, because He is God.Because as God, He took upon our human nature, only He could redeem us

on the Cross. He wills we participate in His one mediation, as creatures. He

does not need us, but He chooses to use us to mediate for others. Mary, as

a creature, participates in the highest way possible, by Her supplications,

prayers, petitions and thanksgiving . She is more powerful than any other

creature. First because She is His Mother, but also because She was totally

without sin. She mediated Our Lords first miracle at Cana.

On the third day there was

a marriage at Cana in

Galilee, and the Mother of

Jesus was there. Jesus

was also invited to the

marriage with His disciples.

When the wine failed, the

Mother of Jesus said to

Him, They have no wine.

And Jesus said to Her, O

woman, what has this to do

with me and you? My hour

has not yet come. His

Mother said the servants,

Do whatever He tells

you.---Jesus said to them,

Fill the jars with water.(Jn 2:1-7)


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Communion of the SaintsScriptureRev. 5:8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before theLamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are theprayers of thesaints. (The 24 elders in heaven are offering the prayers of those on earth (the saints) to God.)

Rev. 8: 3-4 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given muchincense to offer, with theprayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of theincense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angels hand. (Angels offerthe prayers of those on earth to God in heaven)

TraditionCyril of Jerusalem

"Then [during the Eucharistic prayer] we make mention also of those who have already fallen asleep: first,

the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers and supplications God wouldreceive our petition. . . " (Catechetical Lectures 23:9 [A.D. 350]).

Ephraim the Syrian"You victorious martyrs who endured torments gladly for the sake of the God and Savior, you who haveboldness of speech toward the Lord himself, you saints, intercede for uswho are timid and sinful men, full ofsloth, that the grace of Christ may come upon us, and enlighten the hearts of all of us so that we may lovehim" (Commentary on Mark[A.D. 370]).

"Remember me, you heirs of God, you brethren of Christ; supplicate the Savior earnestly for me,that I maybe freed through Christ from him that fights against me day by day" (The Fear at the End of Life [A.D. 370]).

St. Augustine

"A Christian people celebrates together in religious solemnity the memorials of the martyrs, both toencourage their being imitated and so that it can share in their merits and be aided by their prayers"(Against Faustus the Manichean [A.D. 400]).

"At the Lords table we do not commemorate martyrs in the same way that we do others who rest in peaceso as to pray for them, but rather that they maypray for usthat we mayfollow in their footsteps" (Homilieson John 84 A.D. 416 .


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Communion of the Saints

Why do we Honor the Saints?-They Practiced Virtue, when they were on earth.

-By honoring those who were chosen friends of God, we honor God Himself and what God

has done through them.-The Saints in Heaven are far nearer to God and His throne,

because they have received the crown of glory.

-Our Communion with the Saints draws us nearer

to Christ, because they are with Him.

We Honor the Saints in Heaven-By Imitating their Holy Lives

-Praying to them (as we would talk to friends

and ask friends to intercede and pray for us).

God grants our requests through their prayers to

show us how much He loves them.

-Show Respect for the Relics and Images


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Relics Scripture - OTIn 2 Kings 2:9-14, the prophet Elisha picked up the mantle of Elijah after Elijah had been taken up to heaven

in a whirlwind. With is, Elisha struck the water of the Jordan, which then parted so that he could cross. In

another passage (13:20-21), some people hurriedly bury a dead man in the grave of Elisha, "but when the

man came in contact with the bones of Elisha, he came back to life and rose to his feet.

Relics Scripture - NTSo extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul that when handkerchiefs or

aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of

them. Acts 19:11-12 Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so

that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. Acts. 5:15

By respecting relics and images we are not showing respect to paper, stone or wood, rather to the persons

these things represent. If we kiss a photograph of our deceased grandmother, we are not worshipping our

grandmother. We are honoring her and respecting her and giving her a kiss, if she could receive it from us.

When we honor venerate relics, statues or pictures, we do not believe there is any divine power within

them. They cannot of themselves work miracles. They are mere instruments, inanimate objects used by God.God acts through them.

Relic of Fr. Francis Xavier Seelos

Redemportist , priest

who served in the Louisiana, Maryland etc.


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RELICS

Early Church

The veneration of relics of the saints is found in the early history of the Church. A letter written by the

faithful of the Church in Smyrna in the year 156 provides an account of the death of St. Polycarp, their

bishop, who was burned at the stake. The letter reads, "We took up the bones, which are more valuable than

precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place, where the Lord will permit us

to gather ourselves together as we are able, in gladness and joy, and celebrate the birthday of his

martyrdom.

Legalization of Christianity

After the legalization of the Church in 312, the tombs of saints were opened and the actual relics werevenerated by the faithful. A bone or other bodily part was placed in a reliquarya box, locket and later a

glass casefor veneration. St. Helena found the true Cross. She was the mother of Constantine.

We Do Not Worship Relics

In his Letter to Riparius, St. Jerome (d. 420) wrote in defense of relics: "We do not worship, we do not adore,

for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the Creator, but we venerate the relics of

the martyrs in order the better to adore Him whose martyrs they are.

Council of Trent

The Council of Trent (1563) defended invoking the prayers of the saints and venerating their relics and burial

places. "The sacred bodies of the holy martyrs and of the other saints living with Christ, which have been

living members of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit and which are destined to be raised and glorified

by Him unto life eternal, should also be venerated by the faithful. Through them, many benefits are granted

to men by God."


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Communion of SaintsDoesnt the First Commandment prohibit the making of Statues and Idols?

You shall not make of yourself a graven image or any likeness that is in the heaven above or that is on the

earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth, you shall not bow down to them. (Ex. 20:4-5)

However, Gods commandment was not absolute, because He commanded the Israelites to make cherub tobe placed on the Ark of the Covenant. ( Ex. 25:18-22) He wanted cherubim to be put into the curtains of the

tabernacle (Ex. 26:1) and the veil that concealed the ark. He commanded Moses to make a serpent of brassand mount it on a staff (Num. 21:6-9). Solomon craved out cherubim on the temple. (1 Kgs. 6:29-35).

Catacombs

From the earliest days of Christianity, Jesus and Mary,

angels and saints were depicted on the walls of the catacombs.

Jews and Idols

When the Jews created idols, such as the golden calf and bulls, etc., they sacrificed to them and burnedincense to them. Later the Roman Emperor wanted the early Christians to offer sacrifice to him and burnincense to an image of him, which was considered idol worship by the Christians. The emperor claimed to beGod (to be a divinity). Christians refused and were martyred.

Second Council of Nicaea, 787 AD

The Second Council of Nicaea dealt with the heresy called iconoclasm, as people began to destroy images ofthe saints and of the Lord. The Council said that images confirm the incarnation was real and not imaginary.The Council said the images reminded the faithful to love more ardently. They said true adoration belongs toGod alone. Images lead our thoughts to prayer and spiritual things. Our mind turns toward the one we love.

Photos, Statues, Images

The photograph or statue of a president of the USA honors the president. One does not worship the

president, by honoring the presidents image. We do not pray to the image of a crucifix or a relic or a statue,rather we pray to the person, whom it represents. We do not worship our bed when we kneel before it.

In a Catacomb, image of woman

touching Jesus wanting to be healed.


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Communion of the SaintsHonoring God Himself

By honoring the saints, we honor God Himself, who made them saints.

Without the help of God, they could not have done anything holy.

We worship and adore God alone.

We do NOT worship or adore saints.

LATRIA

We honor God by the highest and supreme honor :

(sacrifice, worship, and adorationThe Mass, Eucharist)

The sacrifice of the Mass is worship of God alone. Saints are remembered in theMass, as we celebrate their memory, but every Mass is a sacrifice to God alone.

DULIA

We honor the saints by veneration (not adoration, not worship and not sacrifice)

HYPERDULIA

We honor the Blessed Virgin Mary above all the Saints (not adoration, not worship,

not sacrifice). She is receives the greatest honor and veneration of Gods creatures.

Churches and altars are named after saints, but are dedicated to God alone.

The name of the church asks for saints special protection and help.


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Communion of Saints

Those who dies in the grace of God, and who are already in heaven,

and especially those whom the Church has canonized are saints.

Servant of God

When the subject arises that a person should be considered for Sainthood, a Bishop is

placed in charge of the initial investigation of the person's life. If it is determined that the

candidate is deemed worthy of further consideration, the Vatican grants a "Nihil Obstat."

A Latin phrase that means "nothing hinders. The candidate is called a "Servant of God."

Venerable

The Church Official, a Postulator, who coordinates the process and serves as an advocate,

must prove that the candidate lived heroic virtues. This is achieved through the collection of

documents and testimonies that are collected and presented to the Congregation for the

Causes of Saints in Rome. When a candidate is approved, he/she earns the title "Venerable.

Beatified

To be beatified and recognized as a "Blessed," one miracle acquired through the candidates

intercession is required in addition to recognition of heroic virtue (or martyrdom in the case

of a martyr).

Canonized

Canonization requires a second miracle after beatification, though a Pope may waive these

requirements. (A miracle is not required prior to a martyrs beatification, but one is required

before his/her canonization.) Once this second miracle has been received through the

candidate's intercession, the Pope declares the person a "Saint."

But she took up a devotion she had practiced from her childhood, as a good Hawaiian:"I have always loved Father Damien," Toguchi explained. "I have

prayed to him all my life. That is why I visited Kalawao (where his tomb is located), Molokai and our churches over many years,"she said. In November of1998, Toguchi began to feel much improved. Medical examinations revealed that the cancer was receding. Six months later, X-rays showed a complete

regression of the metastasis, though she had had no therapy. The cancer disappeared entirely. Zenit.org

i f i


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Communion of Saints

Incorrupt Saints

St. Bernadette Soburious, had apparitions of Mary at

Lourdes, France. Died 1879.

St. Vincent de Paul. Founded Daughters of Charity.

Died in 1660.

St. John Vianney. Lived in Ars France. Died 1859.

St. Cecilia

177 AD


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Communion of SaintsPatron SaintsSaint Agnes and Saint DymphnaRape and Chastity

Saint Andrew the Patron of ScotlandSaint Anne the Patron of Grandmothers, Mothers, Women in labor and Horse riders

Saint Anthony the Patron of Lost articles, the Poor, Amputees and Cemetery workersSaint Blaise- Patron of Sore Throats, the Patron of Wild animalsSaint Bonaventura - Bowel disorders

Saint Christopher, Patron of Travelers

Saint Gerard Majella, Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers

Saint Helena the Patron of ArchaeologistsSaint Henry the Patron of Childless and of the Handicapped

Saint Joseph the Patron of Belgium, Carpenters, Married couples , Pioneers, Happy DeathSaint Jude, Patron of Impossible Causes

Saint Luke, Patron of Artists

Saint Matthew the Patron of Accountants, Bankers, Bookkeepers, Stock brokers, Tax collectors

Saint Maximilian Kolbe the Patron of Drug Addiction

Saint Raphael the Patron of Pharmacists, Chemists, Eye diseases, Lovers and Shepherds

Saint Rose of Lima the Patron of South America and against VanitySaint Stephen the Patron of Austria, Casket makers, Hungary and Stone masons, Brick Layers

Saint Theresa of Avila the Patron of Headache sufferers

Saint Therese the Patron of Missions and Tuberculosis

Saint Vincent de Paul the Patron of Charitable Societies

(CHOOSE A SAINT FOR CONFIRMATION NAME)


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Communion of Saints

Communion of the Saints

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