Originating in the 4th century Eastern feast of all Martyrs, and attested to by St. Ephrem [+373], Pope Gregory IV established this commemoration fo all the saints of the Roman Church in 835. Originally celebrated on Easter Friday, it came to held in Rome on May 13; later, in the 9th century, it was tranferred to Nov. 1, the date of its celebration in Ireland where it countered the Celtic pagan feast of the Druids.
Towards the last leg of our Profession of Faith, we profess something about our relationship with all the saints: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.
What does it mean when we say that we believe in the communion of saints? The first Preface for holy men and women, although this is not the one used for the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints, elucidates for us the content of our communion with the saints. The original Latin text states: Qui in sanctorum concilio celebraris, et eorum coronado merita tua dona coronas. Qui nobis eorum conversatione largiris exemplum, et communione consortum, et intercessione subsidium; ut, tantis testibus confrmati, ad propsitum certamen curramus invicti et immarcescibilem cum eis coronam gloriae consequamur, per Christum Dominum nostrum.
In English, this is translated thus: You are glorified in your saints, for their glory is the crowning of your gifts. In their lives on earth you give us an example. In our communion with them, you give us their friendship. In their prayer for the Church you give us strength and protection. This great company of witnesses spurs us on to victory, to share their prize in everlasting glory through Jesus Christ our Lord.
From this prayer, we realize that our communion with all saints is manifested in three important levels of relationships: a relationship of imitation, a relationship of union, and a relationship of intercession.
The saints are examples in Christian life. Their conversion, their struggles, their challenges, their fidelity and their joy are models for all of us to follow and imitate.
The saints are our friends. The mysterious power of God transcends the chasm that separate the living and the saints. They may not be with us physically, but the saints are united with us as they accompany us in our journey of life and faith, uplifting us when we are down, encouraging us when we are weak, and celebrating with us when we achieve.
The saints pray for us. We all know the power of prayer and the saints intercedes for us. Living in the presence of God, the saints gather for us the rich blessings of God for the good of God's people and for the salvation of all humanity.
As we remember all the saints, we thank God for in them we have an example to follow. Hindi ka na mangangapa sa dilim; hindi ka na mawawalan ng direksyon sa buhay; hindi ka na mawawala sa landas ng Panginoon. In them, we enjoy a friendship in communion. HIndi ka na mag-iisa; hindi ka na bubuhat ng krus mag-isa; hindi ka na haharap sa pagsubok mag-isa. Because of our communion with the saints, we have an arsenal of intercessors praying for us. Hindi na magkukulang ang biyaya ng Panginoon; hindi na mauubos ang pagpapala.
Every Sunday, every time we pray the rosary, we profess that we believe in the communion of saints! Do we truly understand? Do we truly believe?
