GROW IN FAITH 32 – The Communion of Saints

One Family in Heaven and on Earth

Opening Prayer

Lord God,
You gather Your children in heaven and on earth.
Help us understand the Communion of Saints.
Teach us to live as part of Your great family.
Amen.

Part One

A Larger Family

When we think of the Church,
we often think of our parish
or the people we see at Mass.

But the Church is much larger than that.

The Bible says:

“You are come to mount Sion,
and to the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem,
and to the company of many thousands of angels.”

The Church includes:

Those living on earth.
Those being purified after death.
Those already in heaven.

We call this the Communion of Saints.

It means we are united
even across death.

Scripture

“You are come … to the company of many thousands of angels.”
(Hebrews 12:22)

Think and Discuss

What does the word “communion” mean?

Why do you think the Church includes people in heaven?

How can we still be connected to someone who has died?

Why is it comforting to know we are not alone?

Allow thoughtful answers.

Part Two

The Saints in Heaven

The saints are not only people with statues.

They are men and women
who lived faithfully
and now see God face to face.

They are alive in Christ.

The Bible tells us:

“We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.”

The saints pray for us.

They encourage us.

They show us that holiness is possible.

Some saints were brave.
Some were quiet.
Some were young.
Some were old.

They were ordinary people
who trusted God.

We can ask for their prayers
just as we ask friends on earth to pray.

Guidance for Adults

Emphasise that asking saints for prayer does not replace prayer to God.
All prayer ultimately goes to God.

Part Three

Our Unity in Christ

The Communion of Saints also includes:

Those who have died
and are being purified by God’s mercy.

We pray for them.

They are not forgotten.

Love does not end at death.

In Christ,
the Church is one family.

When we pray the Creed,
we say:

“I believe in the Communion of Saints.”

That means:

We belong to one Body.
We help one another.
We pray for one another.

Even across time and eternity.

The saints remind us
that heaven is real.

They remind us
that faithfulness matters.

They remind us
that our lives are moving toward eternity.

We are not isolated individuals.

We are members of a vast and living family.

Quiet Reflection

Sit quietly for a moment.

Think of a saint you know by name.

Or think of someone who has died
and whom you loved.

Now say quietly:

“Pray for me.”

Remain in silence together.

Practise This Week

Choose one:

• Learn about one saint.
• Pray for someone who has died.
• Ask your patron saint for help.
• Thank God for the hope of heaven.

Choose one and keep it steady.

Optional Response

Choose one:

Memory
Repeat slowly:
“So great a cloud of witnesses.”
Say it three times thoughtfully.

Action
Make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“We are one family in Christ.”

Closing Prayer

Lord,
Thank You for the Communion of Saints.
Help us remain faithful
so that one day
we may rejoice with all the saints in heaven.
Amen.