2022-10-30 Bulletin

The Communion of Saints

The month of November begins with two important feast days of the Church – All Saints Day on November 1^st and All Souls Day on November 2^nd. The Catholic faithful celebrate All Saints Day by commemorating the Saints in Heaven and All Souls Day by commemorating the Souls in Purgatory. Both feast days remind us of the Communion of Saints, that we, the faithful on earth, are connected in charity to those who have reached their home in Heaven and to those who are expiating their sins in Purgatory. (CCC 1475)

Why is there a Purgatory? At this point, it is necessary for us to understand that sin has a double consequence. Committing a grave or mortal sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life. On the other hand, although venial sin does not deprive one of eternal life, it also entails a temporal punishment. These punishments must not be understood as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God, but as a consequence of the very nature of sin. (CCC 1472) When one makes a good confession, one obtains the forgiveness of sins and communion with God is restored, but the temporal punishment of sin remains. (CCC 1473) Purgatory is the final purification of those who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still have temporal punishment due to their sins. (CCC 1030)

Therefore, it is so important for the faithful on earth to aspire for a total conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity, which can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment remains. A Christian should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the old self and to put on the new self. (CCC 1472-1473)

Within the Communion of Saints, the faithful on earth ask for the intercession of the Saints in Heaven on their path to holiness, while at the same time interceding for the Souls in Purgatory, so that through God’s love and mercy, they may obtain the complete purification necessary to enter the joys of heaven. Offering a Mass is the highest means the Church can provide for the Souls in Purgatory, but the faithful on earth can also offer prayers and penances. Another way is to obtain indulgences for them, so that the temporal punishments due to their sins may be remitted. (CCC 1479)

How wonderful indeed it is that in the Communion of Saints, we the faithful on earth are not alone on our path to holiness. The Saints in Heaven, the Souls in Purgatory and the faithful on earth are all joined, in Christ and through Christ, in the supernatural unity of His Mystical Body. (CCC 1474)

A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who, on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray for the departed, and on All Souls’ Day, devoutly visit a church or a chapel and recite an Our Father and the Creed.

A partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray for the dead and devoutly recite lauds or vespers from the Office of the Dead or the prayer Requiem Aeternam (Eternal rest).

In order to obtain the plenary indulgence, the faithful must be in the state of grace, have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin (including venial sin), receive the sacrament of confession, receive the Holy Eucharist, and offer prayers for the intentions of the Pope.

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