The Communion of Saints

"What does 'communion of saints' mean in the Creed?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

The communion of saints is the spiritual solidarity connecting all members of Christ's Church—those on earth (Church Militant), in purgatory (Church Suffering), and in heaven (Church Triumphant). We can help each other through prayer.

Quick Overview

When you become a Christian, you join a family that spans time and space—and even death. The 'communion of saints' means we're all connected in Christ: Christians on earth, souls being purified in purgatory, and saints in heaven. This connection is active: we can pray for the dead, and the saints can pray for us. Death doesn't cut anyone off from the body of Christ. Think of it like a family where some members are here, some have moved away, but we still communicate and help each other. That's the communion of saints.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

1 Corinthians 12:26-27

"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."

Why This Matters

The Church is one body where all members are connected. This unity transcends death—the body of Christ includes those in heaven.

Hebrews 12:1

"And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us."

Why This Matters

The saints who have died surround us as witnesses, encouraging us in our earthly journey.

Revelation 5:8

"The four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints."

Why This Matters

The elders in heaven offer the prayers of the saints to God—showing heavenly intercession.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

The Catechism teaches that 'the union of the wayfarers with the brethren who sleep in the peace of Christ is in no way interrupted' (CCC 955). We can help each other through prayer: the living pray for the dead, and the saints in heaven intercede for us (CCC 956-958).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

c. 350 AD

"We commemorate those who have fallen asleep before us... believing that it will be a very great benefit to the souls for whom the supplication is put up."

— Catechetical Lectures, 23.9

St. Augustine

c. 421 AD

"A Christian people celebrates together in religious solemnity the memorials of the martyrs... that we may be stirred up to imitate them, and that they may be associated with us in prayer."

— Against Faustus, 20.21

New Creation

Saints' Intercession

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