For All the Saints

Michelangelo - Last Judgement

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints.  This day has been celebrated in the Church since the 9th century.  I thought it might be good to reflect today on the Communion of Saints - one of the tenets of the Faith found in the Creed.  From the Compendium of the Catechism we find the following.

194. What is the meaning of the “communion of saints”?

This expression indicates first of all the common sharing of all the members of the Church in holy things (sancta): the faith, the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the charisms, and the other spiritual gifts. At the root of this communion is love which “does not seek its own interests” (1 Corinthians 13:5) but leads the faithful to “hold everything in common” (Acts 4:32), even to put one’s own material goods at the service of the most poor.

195. What else does “the communion of saints” mean?

This expression also refers to the communion between holy persons (sancti); that is, between those who by grace are united to the dead and risen Christ. Some are pilgrims on the earth; others, having passed from this life, are undergoing purification and are helped also by our prayers. Others already enjoy the glory of God and intercede for us. All of these together form in Christ one family, the Church, to the praise and glory of the Trinity.

Source

So when our actions are rooted in love, we are united in Christ with all holy persons: those on earth, in purgatory and those saints in heaven that we celebrate today.