Catholic

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Catholic Studies Course
The Communion of Saints
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Who are the saints?

• Saint holy one
• Includes us! (e.g. 1 Colossians)
• But also refers to those already in the state of
  glory we call heaven
• A Communion bound together in love

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Present Reality and Future Hope

• The Church in the world

• The Communion of Saints

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Prayer of the Saints

• Good scriptural basis. James 5.16 The prayer of
  a righteous man has great power
• Entry into heaven occurs at different times e.g.
  Enoch, Elijah, Mary
• But we pray for others who have died
• Scriptural? 2 Maccabees 12.40-46
• Condemned at Reformation

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What happens when we die?

• Resurrection of body happens at end of time. What
  until then?
• Most of us not ready for heaven yet. Journey
  continues purgatory name given to this process
• 1 Cor 3.13-14

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Purgatory a useful doctrine

• Enables us to be perfect in heaven without losing
  free will
• Supports a view of hopeful universalism

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Hell

• A state of permanent and absolute separation from
  God
• It has to exist as a consequence of free will,
  and bible pretty clear as well
• But can be empty (apart from Satan)
• Opposite of heaven, state of being in presence of
  God for eternity.

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Conclusion

• Communion of Saints a lively doctrine
• The Saints are an example to us, their prayers
  are an aid to us, and they are rightly honoured
  by the Church