So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped

It seems my petition to Saint Expeditus worked as several topics fell into my lap since last night, and I also asked a couple of friends of mine who share similar dispositions towards faith and family if they would like to assist me by writing for the blog. Also since last night we have seen a definite increase in activity on the Catholic Dadma Facebook page.

This is a good opportunity to share with my family (especially the children) about the Communion of Saints, what it is, what the Church teaches about it, how and why we should petition the saints in everyday situations and some of my personal favorites and experiences with them.

The Holy See Catechism of the Catholic Church on
THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH OF HEAVEN AND EARTH:
 
954 The three states of the Church. "When the Lord comes in glory, and all his angels with him, death will be no more and all things will be subject to him. But at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating 'in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is"':⁴⁹²

All of us, however, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbors, and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God. All, indeed, who are of Christ and who have his Spirit form one Church and in Christ cleave together.⁴⁹³

955 "So it is that the union of the wayfarers with the brethren who sleep in the peace of Christ is in no way interrupted, but on the contrary, according to the constant faith of the Church, this union is reinforced by an exchange of spiritual goods."⁴⁹⁴
956 The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. . . . They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped."⁴⁹⁵

Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life.⁴⁹⁶ I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth.⁴⁹⁷

957 Communion with the saints. "It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; we seek, rather, that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself"⁴⁹⁸:

We worship Christ as God's Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples!⁴⁹⁹

958 Communion with the dead. "In full consciousness of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has honored with great respect the memory of the dead; and 'because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins' she offers her suffrages for them."⁵⁰⁰ Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.
959 In the one family of God. "For if we continue to love one another and to join in praising the Most Holy Trinity - all of us who are sons of God and form one family in Christ - we will be faithful to the deepest vocation of the Church."⁵⁰¹
 
IN BRIEF
960 The Church is a "communion of saints": this expression refers first to the "holy things" (sancta), above all the Eucharist, by which "the unity of believers, who form one body in Christ, is both represented and brought about" (LG 3).
961 The term "communion of saints" refers also to the communion of "holy persons" (sancti) in Christ who "died for all," so that what each one does or suffers in and for Christ bears fruit for all.
962 "We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers"

Along our journey, my wife and I have found this one of the riches, most beautiful and useful aspects of the Catholic Faith. . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped. We have found a considerable amount of strength in this tradition over the last few years, not only in times of need, doubt, morning and despair, but also in times of joy, thankfulness, celebration and blessings. Often times, not only will we call upon the intercession of some of our fondest Saints and protectors, but we will intentionally seek out a Canonized Saint (as I did last night with St. Expeditus) both for the sake of gaining further knowledge and growing closer to of our fraternal brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the sake of strengthening our resolve.

They help us when we have lost, when we have gained, when we wish to gain, they intercede when there is danger or peril. They report when we are charitable or virtuous. They comfort and listen when we need a shoulder or an ear. St. Benedict was there during our ordeal (a trial of sorts) during our conversion. The Blessed Virgin has been there for us on may occasions, as well as her most chaste spouse Saint Joseph (a personal comforter of mine). St. Gerard Was there when we were told we couldn't have children. SS Anne and Dymphna have helped my wife through some tough times. SS Anthony and Francis have brought my wayward spaniel home on several occasions. St Raphael and Michael have been there when myself or my son have called upon them. The list goes on, and we are thankful for and to each and every one of them. And it should be our aim to one day be forever at their side, interceding for others.

Paul Kemp Jr.
Devoted Husband, Loving Father, Hockey Fanatic, Passionate Catholic.