The Feast of All Saints and the accompanying Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) are part of the beautiful tradition of our faith. Together they bring us into the full life of the Church and invite us to reflect upon the communion of saints, in which we profess our belief when praying the Apostles’ Creed. The communion of saints consists of three states:
• The Church Militant, us, the community of living baptized Christians battling daily against the powers sin, the flesh and the devil for our salvation
• The Church Suffering, the souls in purgatory who are being purified of their imperfections to one day achieve the Beatific Vision, seeing God face to face
• The Church Triumphant, those who are in heaven glorifying in the Beatific Vision
These three states make up the Body of Christ. In section 946, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The Communion of Saints is the Church.” We are inextricably linked. All Saints Day is a celebration of the Church Triumphant. All Souls Day is a celebration of the Church Suffering.