I Believe in the Communion of Saints

 by Brother Craig Rippens

A few years ago, my wife and I began meeting with Father William, a retired Franciscan priest and friend of Celebrating Life Ministries (CLM). At our second meeting he directed us to pray the rosary together each day. Father William radiates holiness. So, we did not hesitate to honor his wishes. This practice led me to discover a direct and living connection with committed spiritual practitioners that is not dependent on time and space.

The rosary begins with the recitation of the Apostles’ Creed. This prayer has its roots in a 4th century statement of Christian beliefs. One of its passages states, “I believe in the communion of saints.” Though raised a Catholic, I had not practiced the faith for over 50 years and had no idea what this meant. Since I was asserting it as my belief, I needed to find out!

The communion of saints refers to all faithful followers of Christ past, present, and future. Thus, all believers are connected via this unseen realm of common devotion to the Divine. I sense in my heart that the communion of saints is comprised of all devotees of the Beloved, regardless of how that faith is practiced.

As my prayer life has deepened, I have experienced the blessings of this communion. Several months ago, I felt a strong yearning to celebrate my reverence for the Holy Mother by obtaining a Miraculous Medal of Mary and a new rosary. I browsed on-line vendors, but did not find examples that sparked my heart. One day, a friend within the CLM community presented me with a Miraculous Medal accompanied by a loving note. I was stunned by the synchronicity. About a week later, another CLM friend sent me a rosary that she had picked up in Medjugorje. Neither had known of my desires. I felt awash in the collective spirit of our community. I had to yield my mind and accept these gifts as a manifestation of the communion of saints.

More recently, I completely lost myself while in a CLM Zoom meeting and entered into the communion of saints. In one moment, my awareness shifted into a spiritual dimension in which I joined all participants in praise and love for the Beloved. My sensory faculties were transformed to perceive a congregation of light and unspeakable devotion. We were one. It was only afterward that I could acknowledge that we had united within the communion of saints.

Please, immerse yourselves in a loving prayer life. The communion of saints already surrounds you. Let us enter the courts of heaven and merge our song in gratitude.