a) What is the Communion of Saints?
“Communion of Saints” refers to the “sharing” of the Church’s spiritual treasures, which are the “saintly” or “holy” things. They come from Christ, and include our faith, the sacraments, charisms, material things, and, above all, charity.
“Communion of Saints” also means the “union” among God’s People, who are the “saintly” or “holy” persons, with Christ as their head. They are the faithful on earth or the “Church Militant,” the blessed in heaven or the “Church Triumphant,” and the souls in purgatory or the “Church Suffering”.
b) Why should an Altar Server understand the Communion of Saints?
We all form one big family called to share God’s infinite gifts by looking after the spiritual and material needs of others, without forgetting our own needs. Those in heaven pray for those on earth and in purgatory. Those in purgatory may pray for us who are on earth.
We on earth should honor those in heaven because they are our models, and ask for their prayers. We help those in purgatory by praying, fasting, doing good works, gaining indulgences, and offering Masses for them. We should help one another here on earth by practicing charity, especially through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.