Today is the Solemnity of All Saints, the day we celebrate not only the canonized Saints of the Church, but all those unknown saints who are now in the Heavenly Kingdom. Holiness is within everyone’s reach and we all strive for it. We are called to Universal Holiness from the day of our Baptism to the day of our death. The Mystical Body of Christ grows in holiness through the help of the Communion of Saints.

With this being said, let us look quickly at what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches on the Communion of Saints –

The Church is a “communion of saints”: this expression refers first to the “holy things” (sancta), above all the Eucharist, by which “the unity of believers, who form one body in Christ, is both represented and brought about” (LG 3). [#960]

The term “communion of saints” refers also to the communion of “holy persons” (sancti) in Christ who “died for all,” so that what each one does or suffers in and for Christ bears fruit for all. [#961]

“We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims 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” (Paul VI, CPG § 30) [#962]

For a more complete understanding of the Communion of Saints in the Catechism, I would suggest you also read paragraphs 954-959. If you want to learn more about the Canonized Saints of the Catholic Church, check out the many blog posts I have written on them in the category – Saints and Angels. You could also visit the Saints and Angels section on Catholic Online.

All Holy Men and Women…Pray For Us.