杏MAP导航 at Audience: Communion of saints joins all Church鈥檚 members
By Devin Watkins
The 杏MAP导航 turned his attention at the Wednesday General Audience to the communion of saints, calling it an expression of God鈥檚 love.
杏MAP导航 Francis noted that some forms of devotion to the saints seem to stem more from a 鈥減agan鈥 mindset than a Christian one.
He said the difference is that Christians place our trust in God alone, rather than in a person or image.
The 杏MAP导航 pointed out that saints do not 鈥渨ork miracles鈥, but are merely the vessels through which the grace of God works.
Saints, he added, are intercessors 鈥渨ho pray for us, and the Lord gives us grace through that Saint.鈥
Church is 鈥榗ommunity of saved sinners鈥
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the 鈥渃ommunion of saints is the Church.鈥
杏MAP导航 Francis said this means the Church is the 鈥渃ommunity of saved sinners鈥.
As St. Paul notes, each member of the body of Christ is united to one another in Christ, and we all share each other鈥檚 joys and sorrows.
The 杏MAP导航 said the communion of saints means that all Christians are so connected that not even death can separate us, linking us closely to our loved ones who have died.
鈥淭he communion of saints holds together the community of believers on earth and in heaven,鈥 he said.
Heavenly links
杏MAP导航 Francis then reflected on the theme of devotion to saints, saying we can establish friendships with our forebearers in the faith who can help us throughout our lives.
The Church, added the 杏MAP导航, has always looked to the saints to guide the community, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, to whom God entrusted His only Son.
鈥淚t is always thanks to the communion of saints that we feel that the men and women saints who are our patrons 鈥 because of the name we bear, because of the Church to which we belong, because of the place where we live, and so on 鈥 are close to us,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd this is the trust that must always animate us in turning to them at decisive moments in our lives.鈥
Devotion to saints, said the Holy Father, is not magic or superstition, but rather 鈥渟imply speaking to a brother or sister who is with God having lived a just and holy life鈥.
Trust in difficult times
In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis shared with those present at the General Audience a prayer to St. Joseph which he has recited every day for over 40 years.
Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph,
whose power makes the impossible possible,
come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty.
Take under your protection the serious and troubling situations
that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome.
My beloved father, all my trust is in you.
Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain,
and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary,
show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen.
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