The notion of  the communio sanctorum in the context of funeral preaching Cover Image

„Communio sanctorum” w kontekście homilii pogrzebowej
The notion of the communio sanctorum in the context of funeral preaching

Author(s): Janusz Chyła
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II - Wydział Teologii
Keywords: Funeral preaching; Communion of Saints; eschatology; Eucharist; paschal mystery; Church

Summary/Abstract: Professing one’s belief in the Communion of Saints (communio sanctorum) is an essential part of the Apostles’ Creed. The Holy Spirit forms the personal bond between the Triune God and the Church as well as between her individual members. That mutually enriching relationship includes the saints in heaven, those maturing to the fullness of love in the purgatory and the wanderers in this world (sancti) and it strengthens itself by participation in common spiritual goods (sancta). Sin which originates from breaking the unity and creates an obstacle in partaking in the fullness of life in the loving community has been overcome by Jesus Christ and His paschal mystery. Resurrection is a triumph over sin and death and bestows its salvific fruits on both the living and the departed. The Christian notion of the two-phased eschatology speaks of souls awaiting the communal fulfilment of the promise of the resurrection of the body. At their present state they already experience the consequences of their worldly decisions, yet they can be spared some negative ones. Even though death is extremely difficult to pass through, it does not impede in any way the experience the personal communion between this world, the heaven and the purgatory that manifests itself by mutual responsibility for each other’s good which springs forth from the three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity. The Church, although she avoids preaching automatic salvation, encourages the faithful to bring relief to those in the purgatory and to praise God with the saints in heaven. The means by which the communio sanctorum is put together are: prayer, works of mercy, the Sacraments and above all the Eucharist.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 15
  • Page Range: 107-117
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Polish