When Catholics profess the Apostles' Creed, we say that we believe in “the communion of saints.” It is a familiar phrase, but its meaning is much bigger than many Catholics realize.
The Communion of Saints is not simply the collection of canonized saints whose names we know. It describes the communion of the whole Church in Christ, including the faithful living on earth, the souls being purified in purgatory, and the saints already with God in heaven.
It also describes what the members of the Church share: faith, grace, prayer, spiritual gifts, the sacraments, and above all the Eucharist. The Church is larger than what we can see.
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The answer in one paragraph
The Communion of Saints is the communion of the whole Church in Christ. It refers both to the holy things Christians share, especially faith, the sacraments, spiritual gifts, and charity, and to the spiritual union of the faithful on earth, the souls being purified in purgatory, and the saints in heaven. Because all belong to the one Body of Christ, the Church remains united across earth, purgatory, and heaven.
At a glance
Key Takeaways
- The Communion of Saints includes the whole Church, not only canonized saints.
- It means both communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.
- The Church exists in three states: Militant, Penitent, and Triumphant.
- The Church Militant consists of the faithful living on earth.
- The Church Penitent consists of those being purified in purgatory.
- The Church Triumphant consists of the saints in heaven.
- These are three states of one Church, not three separate churches.
- Death does not break the unity of the Body of Christ.
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What does “Communion of Saints” mean?
The Communion of Saints describes the profound communion within the Church because her members are united to Jesus Christ.
The Catechism introduces this teaching in paragraph 946 and explains in paragraph 948 that the expression has two closely connected meanings: communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.
The visible Church on earth is real, but it is not the whole Church. Those being purified after death and those already with God in heaven remain members of the one Body of Christ.
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The two meanings of the Communion of Saints
Communion in holy things
Christians share the apostolic faith, the sacraments, spiritual gifts, charity, and every spiritual good Christ gives His Church. At the center is the Eucharist, which unites us more deeply with Christ and His Body.
Communion among holy persons
Those who belong to Christ are united because they are united to Him. This one Body includes the faithful on earth, those undergoing purification, and those who have entered heavenly glory.
These meanings belong together. What Christians share comes from Christ, and it is Christ who makes His people one. Saint Paul describes this mystery as one Body with many members in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
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The three states of the one Church
Catholic tradition commonly describes the Church in three states. These are not three separate churches, but three conditions within the one Church of Jesus Christ.
Church Militant
The faithful on earth who are making their pilgrimage and fighting the spiritual battle against sin through grace, prayer, virtue, repentance, and charity.
Church Penitent
The faithful departed who are being purified in purgatory in preparation for heaven. It is also called the Church Suffering or Church Expectant.
Church Triumphant
The saints in heaven who have completed their earthly pilgrimage and now share in Christ's victory and behold God.
The Catechism gives the doctrinal foundation in paragraph 954, describing some disciples as pilgrims on earth, others as undergoing purification, and still others as already in glory.
Why is it called the Church Militant?
The word “militant” refers to spiritual combat, not physical violence or political militancy. Christians resist temptation and selfishness, practice virtue, go to confession when they fall, receive Christ in the Eucharist, and serve others in charity.
What is the Church Penitent?
The souls in purgatory have died in God's grace and friendship, and their salvation is assured. As paragraph 1030 of the Catechism explains, they undergo the purification necessary to enter the joy of heaven. Purgatory is not a second opportunity to choose God after death.
What is the Church Triumphant?
The saints are alive in Christ and share in the life for which every Christian was created. Hebrews 12:1 pictures Christians surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses.” The saints show the Church on earth where the Christian pilgrimage is leading.
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Prayer across the Body of Christ
Why do Catholics pray for the dead?
Death does not destroy the Body of Christ. The faithful on earth can pray for those undergoing purification by offering Masses, praying for the Holy Souls, performing acts of charity, offering sacrifices, and obtaining indulgences for them.
This communion is especially visible within the Church's celebration of All Souls' Day, when Catholics remember and pray for the faithful departed. Praying for the dead is an act of mercy.
Why ask the saints to pray for us?
Christians ask one another for prayer, and Catholics believe this communion of prayer does not suddenly end when someone enters heaven. The saints remain members of Christ's Body, so Catholics ask for their intercession.
This is not worship. Catholics worship God alone. Asking a saint to pray is asking another member of Christ's Body to join us in prayer.
The faithful on earth pray for the souls in purgatory. The saints in heaven intercede for the faithful on earth. All belong to the same Body of Christ, united in prayer, charity, holiness, and life in Him.
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Militant, Penitent, and Triumphant compared
Earth
Church Militant
- Who belongs
- Faithful Christians living on earth
- What they experience
- Earthly pilgrimage, spiritual battle, and growth in holiness
- How we are connected
- We pray, receive the sacraments, resist sin, and help one another.
Purgatory
Church Penitent
- Who belongs
- Faithful departed undergoing purification
- What they experience
- Final purification in preparation for heaven
- How we are connected
- We pray and offer Masses for them.
Heaven
Church Triumphant
- Who belongs
- Saints who have entered heavenly glory
- What they experience
- Life with God and participation in Christ's victory
- How we are connected
- They intercede for us and encourage us by their example.
A Christian does not belong to one Church while living and another after death. Christ has one Body.
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Common misunderstandings
Does it mean only canonized saints?
No. Canonized saints belong to the Communion of Saints, but it also includes the faithful on earth, the faithful departed undergoing purification, and the spiritual goods shared by Christ's Body.
Does “Church Militant” imply violence?
No. It describes the spiritual struggle against sin and evil through prayer, holiness, virtue, repentance, charity, and fidelity to Christ.
Does purgatory mean someone is not saved?
No. The souls in purgatory died in God's grace and friendship. Their salvation is assured, but they undergo final purification before heaven.
Do Catholics worship the saints?
No. Worship belongs to God alone. Catholics honor the saints for what God accomplished in them and ask for their prayers as fellow members of Christ's Body.
Does death end our connection?
No. Those who belong to Christ remain united in Him. This is why Catholics pray for the faithful departed and seek the intercession of the saints.
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How Catholics live the Communion of Saints
The Communion of Saints is not merely an idea. Catholics make this communion visible through worship, prayer, remembrance, and the pursuit of holiness.
- Participate faithfully in Mass and receive the Eucharist.
- Pray regularly for the faithful departed.
- Offer Mass intentions for deceased family and friends.
- Ask the saints for their intercession.
- Learn about the saints and imitate their virtues.
- Celebrate All Saints' Day with gratitude.
- Observe All Souls' Day with prayer.
- Go to confession and continue pursuing holiness.
Why this doctrine matters
The Church is not simply a religious organization made up of people alive at the same time. It is the Body of Christ, extending beyond what our eyes can see.
The saints reveal the fulfillment of the Christian promise. The souls in purgatory remind us of the mercy of purification. The faithful on earth remind us that our pilgrimage is still underway.
Christ does. Death does not destroy the bonds He creates, and the whole Church remains one family in Him.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Communion of Saints?
It is the communion of the whole Church in Christ, including both the holy things Christians share and the union of the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven.
What are its two meanings?
Communion in holy things and communion among holy persons. Christians share faith, sacraments, spiritual gifts, and charity while remaining united as one Body in Christ.
What are the three states of the Church?
The Church Militant on earth, the Church Penitent in purgatory, and the Church Triumphant in heaven.
Are these three different churches?
No. They are three states of the one Church. All remain united in Jesus Christ.
Is this teaching in the Creed?
Yes. Catholics profess belief in “the communion of saints” in the Apostles' Creed.
Primary sources
- 1
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Paragraphs 946-962 explain the two meanings and the communion of the Church in heaven and on earth.
Read at Vatican.va - 2
Catechism on Purgatory
Paragraphs 1030-1032 explain the final purification and the Church's prayer for the dead.
Read at Vatican.va - 3
Sacred Scripture
See 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 on the one Body and Hebrews 12:1 on the great cloud of witnesses.
Read at USCCB
One family in Christ
The Church is bigger than what we can see.
We pray for those who have gone before us. The saints pray for us. Together we share the gifts Christ entrusted to His Church and journey toward the fullness of heaven.
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