This document contains notes from a confirmation class discussing the Church as the Communion of Saints and Mary as the Mother of the Church. The class covered topics like purgatory, heaven, hell, and the last things. It also discussed that the Communion of Saints includes all faithful on earth, in purgatory, and heaven, and they can pray for one another. Mary is called the Mother of God and the Immaculate Conception because she gave birth to Jesus without original sin.
4. Litany of the Saints ~ Prayer
In the name of the Father…
St. Joseph, Ora Pro Nobis;
Blessed Virgin Mary, Ora Pro Nobis;
St. Peter, Ora Pro Nobis;
St. Paul, Ora Pro Nobis;
St. Therese of Lisieux, Ora Pro Nobis;
Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta,
Ora Pro Nobis;
All the angels and saints…. Ora Pro Nobis;
Amen.
6. CCoommmmuunniioonn ooff SSaaiinnttss
The Communion of Saints includes all the faithful
on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven.
The faithful on earth can intercede in prayer for
those in purgatory, and those in Heaven and
Purgatory can pray for those on earth.
7. SSeeccoonndd ccoommiinngg ooff CChhrriisstt
At his Second
Coming, Christ
will judge the
living and the
dead. The
bodies of the
dead will rise
and be reunited
with their souls.
8. HHeeaavveenn,, PPuurrggaattoorryy,, HHeellll
Heaven is the state of
perfect communion and
eternal happiness with
God.
Purgatory is a temporary
state for those who will go
to Heaven but require
purification.
Hell is the abode of those
who definitively reject God
and his offer of eternal life.
9. The CChhuurrcchh aass aa CCoommmmuunniioonn ooff SSaaiinnttss
Church militant – faithful here on earth
Church suffering – souls in purgatory
Church triumphant – glorified in Heaven
10. WWhhoo aarree tthhee SSaaiinnttss??
Saints are in Heaven with God
The saints are those who are saved,
by cooperating with God’s grace.
Saints are models of living for us to
imitate and intercessors to help us
11. WWhhoo aarree tthhee SSaaiinnttss??
How Does the Catholic Church Declare Official Saints?
Watch the video
http://catholicconfirmation.wikispaces.com/communionofsaints
13. TThhee LLaasstt TThhiinnggss
The final events and conditions of human beings
Death
Death is the separation of the spiritual
soul from the material body.
The soul is immaterial and immortal.
At death the possibility of conversion
ceases. Time to accept or reject having
grace and salvation ends. The souls goes
immediately to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory.
14. TThhee LLaasstt TThhiinnggss
Particular Judgment
A person’s individual encounter with Christ at
the moment of death.
Each person receives either eternal damnation
Entrance into the blessedness of heaven
Through a purification process called purgatory
16. PPuurrggaattoorryy
Where the souls of the saved who died
imperfectly purified are “purged” to
achieve the holiness needed to enter
Heaven. It is not a physical place but a
state of existence.
We can help the souls in purgatory by
praying, offering sacrifices and having
Masses said for them.
17. HHeellll
Eternal separation from God and the blessed in
Heaven.
Souls that die in unrepentant mortal sin spend
eternity continually thirsting for God while hating
him. (Doesn’t sound fun) .
Souls are in Hell b/c they chose it.
We can’t love God if we sin grievously against him,
our neighbor or ourselves.
This is why confession is so very, very important! It
forgives our grave sins and restores us to
communion with God and his saving grace.
18. HHeeaavveenn
State of everlasting
life with God in
eternal happiness.
(Happiness is what
we all want from life
and it is found in
Christ and
ultimately with him
in heaven).
21. CCrreeaattiioonn,, CChhaarriissmmss,, && HHoolliinneessss
Because we are all created in the
image and likeness of God, we have
been given charisms (Graces and
Gifts fo the Holy Spirit) that enables
us to build of the Body of Christ.
The Church helps us cooperate with
God’s grace to use these gifts and by
doing so we become holy.
22. CCoonncclluussiioonn
Thinking about what happens after death is not
always comfortable. The reality of Hell can be
distressing, but take comfort in knowing we were
created for Heaven, communion with God and
eternal happiness.
Redemption is ours if we respond to Christ and
live according to his will for us. If we embrace the
moral law and seek holiness, we will reach our
heavenly goal. This is the happiness that we all
desire. Along the way we can pray for those in
purgatory and ask those who have died to pray
for us.
23. MMaarryy,, MMootthheerr ooff GGoodd
Mary is properly called
the Mother of God
because she gave birth to
the Son of God, thus
giving him his human
nature.
Mary is called the
Immaculate Conception
because, in preparation
for her special role, she
was conceived without
the stain of Original Sin.
24. MMaarryy,, MMootthheerr ooff tthhee CChhuurrcchh aanndd OOuurr
MMootthheerr –– IImmmmaaccuullaattee CCoonncceeppttiioonn
Mary is called the
Immaculate
Conception because,
in preparation for her
special role, she was
conceived without the
stain of Original Sin.
25. AAssssuummppttiioonn ooff MMaarryy
Mary remained
sinless her
entire life. At
the end of her
earthly life, she
was assumed
into Heaven
body and soul.
26. CCoorroonnaattiioonn
Mary is the Mother of
the Church, our
mediator and
intercessor in
Heaven. She is also
the Queen of
Heaven, the “woman
clothed with the sun,”
by virtue of her
special place and
grace among all
creatures.
27. Mary, MMootthheerr ooff tthhee CChhuurrcchh aanndd OOuurr MMootthheerr
Watch the video
Mary, Mother of the Church
28. Answer the following question:
Mary has many titles of honor that we call her.
In your own words, write why you should honor Mary
in your life and what you can do to honor her.
Acronym in listening and communication – sanskrit juice or essence
Pay attention to the person
Uh ah –little sounds
Summarize – so
Ask question afterwords
http://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_5_ways_to_listen_better
here is only one Mystical Body, only one Church. But this Church has three aspects: the Church Triumphant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Militant.
The saints and angels in heaven compose the Church triumphant, because they have gained the crown of victory. The souls in purgatory compose the Church suffering, because they still have to expiate for their sins before they can enter heaven. The faithful on earth compose the Church militant, because they have to struggle ceaselessly against the enemies of their souls.The Church triumphant, the Church suffering and the Church militant compose one Church united in Christ, members of a body whose head is Christ: "So we, the many, are one body in Christ, but severally members one of another' (Rom. 12:5).
All the members of the Church are of one family, and share in the spiritual treasures of the Church. However, not all members of the Church Militant fully enjoy the benefits of the communion of saints, but only those in a state of grace."Dead members" do not lose all the benefits of the communion of saints, for the Church prays publicly for them, and particular members in the state of grace often send up petitions for them. Thus they may receive the grace to repent and recover sanctifying grace. Hence a Catholic who still belongs to the Church, although a great sinner, may have more hope of being converted than one who cuts himself off from the Church.
How do the members of the Communion of Saints help one another? --The members of the Communion of Saints help one another by prayer and intercession, and by the merits of their good works.
The faithful on earth can help one another by practicing supernatural charity and, especially, by performing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.St. Peter was freed from prison by the prayers of the faithful. St. Stephen's prayer obtained the conversion of St. Paul. The prayers of St. Monica led to the conversion of her son, St. Augustine. This is why today, on all occasions, Catholics ask for each other's prayers, and pray for those in need. They give the spiritual alms of prayers continually, even when they cannot perform the corporal works.
The faithful on earth, through the communion of saints, can relieve the sufferings of the souls in purgatory by prayer, fasting, and other good works, by indulgences, and by Masses offered for them.St. Augustine says: "Prayer is the key by which we open the gates of heaven to the suffering souls." In the Memento after the consecration at every Mass, a special petition is made for the souls of the faithful departed. The poor souls cannot merit anything; they depend upon their brothers in Christ on earth and in heaven to help them attain their eternal home as soon as possible.
The souls in purgatory pray to the angels and saints, and pray for the living.They cannot merit anything, either for themselves or for the living, but they intercede for us.
Through the communion of saints, the blessed in heaven can help those in purgatory and on earth by praying for them. The faithful on earth should honor the blessed in heaven and pray to them, because they are worthy of honor and as friends of God will help the faithful on earth.This is why we pray to the saints and angels that they may intercede for us before God, Whom they see face to face. "Rendering thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to share the lot of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12).
The doctrine of the communion of saints is one of the most consoling dogmas of the Church. When our loved ones die, they are not separated from us forever. Whether in heaven or purgatory, they still love us and pray for us.We should be happy to call saints and angels our brothers. We should implore their intercession, not only for ourselves, but also for our other brothers, the poor souls in purgatory.
here is only one Mystical Body, only one Church. But this Church has three aspects: the Church Triumphant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Militant.
The saints and angels in heaven compose the Church triumphant, because they have gained the crown of victory. The souls in purgatory compose the Church suffering, because they still have to expiate for their sins before they can enter heaven. The faithful on earth compose the Church militant, because they have to struggle ceaselessly against the enemies of their souls.The Church triumphant, the Church suffering and the Church militant compose one Church united in Christ, members of a body whose head is Christ: "So we, the many, are one body in Christ, but severally members one of another' (Rom. 12:5).
All the members of the Church are of one family, and share in the spiritual treasures of the Church. However, not all members of the Church Militant fully enjoy the benefits of the communion of saints, but only those in a state of grace."Dead members" do not lose all the benefits of the communion of saints, for the Church prays publicly for them, and particular members in the state of grace often send up petitions for them. Thus they may receive the grace to repent and recover sanctifying grace. Hence a Catholic who still belongs to the Church, although a great sinner, may have more hope of being converted than one who cuts himself off from the Church.
How do the members of the Communion of Saints help one another? --The members of the Communion of Saints help one another by prayer and intercession, and by the merits of their good works.
The faithful on earth can help one another by practicing supernatural charity and, especially, by performing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.St. Peter was freed from prison by the prayers of the faithful. St. Stephen's prayer obtained the conversion of St. Paul. The prayers of St. Monica led to the conversion of her son, St. Augustine. This is why today, on all occasions, Catholics ask for each other's prayers, and pray for those in need. They give the spiritual alms of prayers continually, even when they cannot perform the corporal works.
The faithful on earth, through the communion of saints, can relieve the sufferings of the souls in purgatory by prayer, fasting, and other good works, by indulgences, and by Masses offered for them.St. Augustine says: "Prayer is the key by which we open the gates of heaven to the suffering souls." In the Memento after the consecration at every Mass, a special petition is made for the souls of the faithful departed. The poor souls cannot merit anything; they depend upon their brothers in Christ on earth and in heaven to help them attain their eternal home as soon as possible.
The souls in purgatory pray to the angels and saints, and pray for the living.They cannot merit anything, either for themselves or for the living, but they intercede for us.
Through the communion of saints, the blessed in heaven can help those in purgatory and on earth by praying for them. The faithful on earth should honor the blessed in heaven and pray to them, because they are worthy of honor and as friends of God will help the faithful on earth.This is why we pray to the saints and angels that they may intercede for us before God, Whom they see face to face. "Rendering thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to share the lot of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12).
The doctrine of the communion of saints is one of the most consoling dogmas of the Church. When our loved ones die, they are not separated from us forever. Whether in heaven or purgatory, they still love us and pray for us.We should be happy to call saints and angels our brothers. We should implore their intercession, not only for ourselves, but also for our other brothers, the poor souls in purgatory.
here is only one Mystical Body, only one Church. But this Church has three aspects: the Church Triumphant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Militant.
The saints and angels in heaven compose the Church triumphant, because they have gained the crown of victory. The souls in purgatory compose the Church suffering, because they still have to expiate for their sins before they can enter heaven. The faithful on earth compose the Church militant, because they have to struggle ceaselessly against the enemies of their souls.The Church triumphant, the Church suffering and the Church militant compose one Church united in Christ, members of a body whose head is Christ: "So we, the many, are one body in Christ, but severally members one of another' (Rom. 12:5).
All the members of the Church are of one family, and share in the spiritual treasures of the Church. However, not all members of the Church Militant fully enjoy the benefits of the communion of saints, but only those in a state of grace."Dead members" do not lose all the benefits of the communion of saints, for the Church prays publicly for them, and particular members in the state of grace often send up petitions for them. Thus they may receive the grace to repent and recover sanctifying grace. Hence a Catholic who still belongs to the Church, although a great sinner, may have more hope of being converted than one who cuts himself off from the Church.
How do the members of the Communion of Saints help one another? --The members of the Communion of Saints help one another by prayer and intercession, and by the merits of their good works.
The faithful on earth can help one another by practicing supernatural charity and, especially, by performing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.St. Peter was freed from prison by the prayers of the faithful. St. Stephen's prayer obtained the conversion of St. Paul. The prayers of St. Monica led to the conversion of her son, St. Augustine. This is why today, on all occasions, Catholics ask for each other's prayers, and pray for those in need. They give the spiritual alms of prayers continually, even when they cannot perform the corporal works.
The faithful on earth, through the communion of saints, can relieve the sufferings of the souls in purgatory by prayer, fasting, and other good works, by indulgences, and by Masses offered for them.St. Augustine says: "Prayer is the key by which we open the gates of heaven to the suffering souls." In the Memento after the consecration at every Mass, a special petition is made for the souls of the faithful departed. The poor souls cannot merit anything; they depend upon their brothers in Christ on earth and in heaven to help them attain their eternal home as soon as possible.
The souls in purgatory pray to the angels and saints, and pray for the living.They cannot merit anything, either for themselves or for the living, but they intercede for us.
Through the communion of saints, the blessed in heaven can help those in purgatory and on earth by praying for them. The faithful on earth should honor the blessed in heaven and pray to them, because they are worthy of honor and as friends of God will help the faithful on earth.This is why we pray to the saints and angels that they may intercede for us before God, Whom they see face to face. "Rendering thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to share the lot of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12).
The doctrine of the communion of saints is one of the most consoling dogmas of the Church. When our loved ones die, they are not separated from us forever. Whether in heaven or purgatory, they still love us and pray for us.We should be happy to call saints and angels our brothers. We should implore their intercession, not only for ourselves, but also for our other brothers, the poor souls in purgatory.
CatholicCatholic Christians believe that all men and women will experience the end of this human life. The Word of God teaches us that each person will be judged immediately after death.
Catholics believe that the souls of the saved who are in need of further purification before facing God will be purged in purgatory.
Heaven awaits those souls found to be in the state of grace or perfection.
Hell or eternal damnation awaits those souls who die without repentance for their sins.
At the end of the world, Jesus will come again in power and glory--the Parousia.
At this time the bodies of all the dead will be resurrected.
Those still living will be taken up into the air to meet Jesus. General judgment of all people will then be made.
The blessed will possess heaven for all eternity; the damned will suffer hell for all eternity.