✝️ Lesson 5 – The Saints and the Communion of Believers

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📍 Lesson Goals

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand what the “Communion of Saints” truly means.

• Learn why Catholics honor Mary and the saints — and how they intercede for us.

• Discover that holiness is not only for the few but a call for everyone.

• Reflect on how to live as part of God’s great spiritual family.

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🕯️ 1. Opening Prayer

“Heavenly Father, thank You for the great family of faith that surrounds us — the angels, saints, and believers who walk this path before and beside us. May their example inspire us to love You more deeply and follow You more faithfully. Amen.”

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🌟 2. The Communion of Saints: One Family in Heaven and Earth

The phrase “Communion of Saints” appears in the Apostles’ Creed — and it’s one of the most beautiful teachings of our faith.

It means that all who belong to Christ — in heaven, in purgatory, and on earth — are spiritually united as one Body in Him.

📖 Romans 12:5

“We, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

This communion includes:

• The Church Triumphant – Saints and angels in Heaven.

• The Church Suffering – Souls in purgatory being purified.

• The Church Militant – Us, the faithful on earth, still in the spiritual battle.

💡 Catechism (CCC 946):

“The communion of saints is the Church — the union of all who share in the divine life of Christ.”

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🕊️ 3. Who Are the Saints?

The saints are men and women who loved God above all things and lived holy lives of virtue, faith, and sacrifice.
They were not perfect — they struggled just like we do — but they persevered in love.

Examples:

• St. Peter: denied Jesus but became the first Pope and died for the faith.

• St. Mary Magdalene: once lost, then the first witness to the Resurrection.

• St. Francis of Assisi: left wealth behind to live in poverty and peace.

• St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa): served the poorest of the poor.

The saints show us that holiness is possible, even in our ordinary lives.

📖 Hebrews 12:1

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”

💭 Reflection: Who are the “witnesses” you look up to in your own faith journey?

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🌹 4. Mary: The Greatest of All Saints

Among all saints, Mary holds a unique and exalted place.
She is the Mother of God, the New Eve, and the model of perfect discipleship.

Why We Honor Mary:

• She said “yes” to God completely.

• She is sinless by God’s grace (the Immaculate Conception).

• She intercedes for us like a mother cares for her children.

• She always leads us closer to her Son, Jesus.

📖 Luke 1:46–48

“My soul magnifies the Lord… for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”

💬 Catholics venerate Mary — not worship her.
Worship belongs to God alone. But we honor Mary because she is the holiest example of what it means to follow Christ perfectly.

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👼 5. Angels and Spiritual Companions

The Communion of Saints also includes angels, God’s messengers and protectors.
Every person has a guardian angel assigned to watch over them.

📖 Psalm 91:11

“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”

Angels serve God and help us in prayer, protection, and spiritual strength.
They remind us that heaven is not far away — it’s constantly at work around us.

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✨ 6. Why Pray to Saints?

When we “pray to” saints, we are not asking them to replace God — we are asking them to pray with us and for us.

It’s the same as asking a friend on earth to pray for you, except these friends are already with God in heaven.

📖 Revelation 5:8

“The prayers of the saints rise before God like incense.”

💡 Analogy:
If you knew someone standing right next to the throne of God, wouldn’t you ask them to pray for you too?

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🔥 7. Our Call to Holiness

Holiness is not about being perfect — it’s about being united with God.
Every baptized person is called to become a saint.

📖 Matthew 5:48

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

In practice, that means:

• Choosing love over pride.

• Forgiving others.

• Putting your faith into action.

• Using your gifts for good.

💭 Saints were once ordinary people who made extraordinary choices — by saying yes to God every day.

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🫀 8. Reflection & Discussion

Reflect & Discuss:

1. Which saint inspires you most, and why?

2. How can Mary’s example help you say “yes” to God in your life?

3. Do you believe you are called to be a saint? What might that look like in your daily choices?

Activity:
Choose one saint and write a short paragraph about how their story connects with your own life.
Then say this prayer:
“Saint [Name], pray for me that I may follow Christ faithfully as you did.”

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🙏 9. Closing Prayer

“Lord, we thank You for the saints — for their courage, their faith, and their love. May their example guide us, their prayers support us, and their lives inspire us to holiness.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
All you angels and saints, pray for us.
Amen.”

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✅ Summary of Key Takeaways

• The “Communion of Saints” unites all believers in heaven, purgatory, and on earth.

• The saints are role models who show us what holiness looks like in real life.

• Mary, as the Mother of God, is the greatest of all saints and our spiritual mother.

• Angels are real companions and protectors.

• We are all called to become saints — to love and serve God faithfully in our everyday lives.