Church Membership

Communion of Saints

•What the Catholic Church means by the “Communion of
Saints” is the invisible membership of the Mystical Body of
Christ that transcends earthly membership. Members of
the Church are on Earth, in Purgatory, and in Heaven.

There are 3 “stages” or “levels” of Church Membership:

•The Church Militant (on Earth) - saved through Baptism
and faith in Jesus Christ (evident by their works). The
Church on earth continues to “fight” (in a spiritual sense)
for the salvation of souls until the end of time

•The Church Suffering (in Purgatory) -

those who need

purification from attachments to sin; all in Purgatory will
eventually make their way to Heaven.

•The Church Triumphant (in heaven) -

have become,

through the Cross and the grace that comes from it,
“saints”. Have "fought the good fight" and "kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7-8)

Solidarity in the Mystical Body of

Christ – United in Love

Church Triumphant
*Free from any sin or attachment to sin
*Made perfect in love + practice
intercession for those in Purgatory and on Earth
“…the prayers of the righteous
are…powerful.” (James 5:19)

Church Militant
*Still fighting to overcome sin + attachment
to sin
*Intercede for those on earth + in purgatory.
Ask the Church Triumphant to pray for
them.
*Offer the Masses, prayers, and sacrifices
for those who have passed away.

Church Suffering
*Greater joy + greater suffering than those
on earth
*Are being purified by God from the
attachment to sin
*Are helped by the graces merited by those
on earth + the intercession of those in
heaven

Church Triumphant