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Background:
The Communion of Saints is a theological phrase that my not be fully understood by all Catholics. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes our eternal connection to the saints in this way:
“We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers” (No. 962).
Through our baptism, we are children of God, called to live in the new light of Christ. Through baptism we are anointed priest, prophet and king and share in Christ’s victory over death and the new of life of the Resurrection (see Col 2:11-13, Rom 8:15-17). So, even when we have died, we remain part of Christ’s body, part of the family of God. This is what makes the Communion of the Saints truly universal: it spans history, geography, nationality, race and all other temporal barriers.
Created in God’s image and baptized into the life and death and resurrection of Christ, we are all called to be saints. So it is entirely appropriate in the Catholic tradition to talk to those who have gone before us (grandmas and grandmas, friends and family) because even death cannot separate the bond of the faithful in the Body of Christ. Some saints are especially noted for their faithfulness and have been “canonized” by the Church as role models of the faith. There are many books and resources describing the lives of these saints.
One of the ways we connect with those who have gone before us is at Mass. Just as we worship God on earth, so do those Christians who have gone before us worship God in heaven. In the Mass, we join our voices and worship with the worship of the heavenly saints and the angels (see Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews12:22-24).
1. Did you learn about the saints when you were growing up? What, if anything, did you learn?
2. Thomas Craughwell makes it clear that we in the Catholic tradition can go to the saints for help with life’s daily tasks. Do you feel comfortable talking to the saints as an adult? Why or why not?
3. What is the point of connecting with the saints? Why not just talk to God?
4. Are you comfortable talking with or praying to friends or family who have gone before us in death? If you are comfortable, please share what kind of impact this connection may have on your life.
By Sister Janet Schaeffler, O.P.
Oct. 7 — Luke 17:5-10: JESUS TALKS ABOUT SERVANTHOOD. Describe someone who lives by faith. Why do you describe them that way? Do you have some questions about faith? How could we find answers? How can we increase our life of faith as a family? Write a prayer together asking for your faith to continue to grow. Place it on your dinner table and pray each evening. Have we ever taken our faith for granted? How can we be sure that we don’t do that in the future? Is faith about facts or about a having a friendship with a person?
Oct. 14 — Luke 17:11-19: JESUS HEALS THE 10 LEPERS. How would you have felt if you were in this Gospel story? Who are the people in our lives that we take for granted and forget to thank? Who are the people in our lives to whom we should be most grateful? When did we last thank them? What four things are you grateful for this week? Together write God a thank you letter.
Oct. 21 — Luke 18:1-8: JESUS TALKS ABOUT PRAYING ALWAYS. Is it difficult for you to wait? To be patient? To stay with something? To stay with God in prayer? Is there something that’s difficult for you to stick to right now? What would help us to stay with it or not give up? When is it easy to pray? When is it difficult? What helps you to pray?
Oct. 28: Luke 18:9-14: THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR AT PRAYER. Do we ever think some people are better than others? When? Who? This week, look everyone in the eye and thank them, especially people who serve you: people in stores, restaurants, etc. Are there times in your life that you boast? What do you boast about? How do you feel when you boast? Do you think you’re like the Pharisee or the tax collector? When? Why? What kind of prayer do we pray?
For a list of hundreds of patrons, saints who are venerated as special intercessors before God, click here».
Most patrons — often for occupations of special needs — have been so designated as the result of popular devotion and long-standing custom. In many cases, the fact of existing patronal devotion is clear despite historical obscurity regarding its origin.
Here are links to websites mentioned in the October calendar.
Because Take Out magazine is often shipped early, you can plan ahead for each month’s discussion article. Check this website for monthly discussion questions, tips for successful family faith formation and new ways that Take Out can be a ministry resource.
Make sure to let participants know that they can bring a friend or another couple to next month’s discussion – numbers often grow as the series continues.
Prayer to a Patron
O Saints,
You lived a blessed life devoted to making the world a more divine place.
Help me to see the truth of God’s teachings with every breath I take. Share with me your wisdom, compassion, and love of all things good.
Give me courage to follow the way of Christ. Guide my steps so they lead directly to God, And use your heavenly influence to keep me In God’s goodness and mercy until the day We meet in everlasting and eternal life.
I lovingly give myself and my needs into your care.
Amen.
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