In Communion With

When we, as the Church on earth, approach the altar at Mass, we do not approach alone. The part of the Roman Canon known as the “Communicantes,” meaning “In communion with,” speaks eloquently of our belief that we gather before the altar in communion with the members of the Church in heaven.
           
This means that, especially at the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the Church on earth is united with the Church in heaven. We are united in our act of adoration of God: the saints in heaven enjoying God face to face, and, we, still mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
           
Our communion with the saints in heaven is no static reality. It is a dynamic relationship that is forged in the shared love that comes from Christ the Priest and Victim, who binds us together in His Body, the Church.
           
As we kneel before the altar, it is wonderful to open our eyes in faith and recognize that saints surround us, some of whom we know by name and others who are known only by God, as they bow down in adoration before the Lamb of God, who makes Himself present on the altar in the Holy Eucharist. We are in communion in His Body, the Church as we adore His Body and Blood under the form of bread and wine.
           
We also venerate these heavenly allies of ours because they have attained the heavenly Kingdom by having done the Will of God. They intercede for us before the throne of God and sing His praises without ceasing. They inspire us by how they fought the good fight and ran the race. They are our sure companions on our pilgrim way. They are our fellow adorers of the Lamb, and inspire us by their example of self-sacrifice.
           
The first of these saints is, of course, Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, because she bore unto the world Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ Himself. She is always held in preeminent veneration and honor, because she alone was exempt from original sin and from all sin, so as to be able to bring salvation in the birth of Christ to fallen humanity. It is absolutely fitting to honor the Mother of God with such superior recognition at the Sacrifice of her Son, because she stood in union with Him as He offered Himself on the Cross. It was from that Cross that He forged a bond between His Mother and all of us. He gave His own Mother us to be our Mother, so she became the Mother of the Church. She always gathers us as her children to the Presence of Jesus on the altar.
           
Next, we are in communion with and venerate the apostles, who are the foundation of the Church and who received the truth of the Faith from the Master Himself. Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude.
           
Our prayer continues to confess communion with the early popes—Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius. As successors of St. Peter and Vicars of Christ on earth, they guided the Church in turbulent times of persecution. All of them witnessed to Christ by martyrdom.
           
Then, beginning with Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage in North Africa, the list of martyrs continues—Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian. They offered their lives under different persecutions and in different places, but all united in their love for the Master. They inspire us to offer our very selves with the Sacrifice of Christ.
           
Finally, this portion of the Canon ends invoking “all your saints.” We who come together at Mass venerate all the saints who adore God with us and beseech God in our behalf for the graces that we need. We pray that “through their merits and prayers, in all things we may be defended by your (God’s) protecting help.”
           
This reminds us that heavenly companionship and assistance are always available to us, and most especially at Mass. The saints are always with us. As we read in the Letter to the Hebrews, “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” What a consolation and grace it is to see them through the eyes of faith!

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh