One of the most consoling of the beliefs we profess in our Apostles Creed is that of The Communion of Saints. It’s an article of faith that acknowledges and believes that we are not alone. While it’s certain that the Lord Jesus is always present to us, the Communion of Saints reveals that we are accompanied by so many others, those living here in our world, but also those alive in the next one, in that life that goes beyond death.

Its energizing portrait appears in the letter to the Hebrews. It depicts an encompassing cloud made up of people who are surrounding us with their love. A race is in progress and all of us here are running in that race. But in addition, there is also a crowd of people watching us as we sprint and cheering us on. And they are made up of the ones whom the writer images as peopling that cloud, that cloud of witnesses – all those who have gone before us but who remain very much on our side. From up there in that cloud, up in those stands so to speak, they are rooting for us and applauding our efforts.

It’s a dynamic visual of mutual encouragement, an image that would assist us, as the reading says, to rid ourselves of every burden of sin that still clings to us. But secondly and more importantly, the scene infuses us with strength to persevere in following the course that lies before us. And while running, also to keep our eyes fixed straight ahead on Jesus, who is “the leader and perfector of our faith.”

This is the author’s feisty sketch of the belief we call the Communion of Saints. He paints a visual of us surrounded by the strengthening and enlivening presence of those who have gone before, all those who are unreservedly on our side and desire a winning result for each.

So when in this Apostles creed, when we come to those words “I believe in the holy Catholic Church and the Communion of Saints,” think of all those believers up there in those stands. They are not just cheering for us, but are also praying for us, witnessing to us, and proclaiming the Resurrection of all our bodies as they provide encouragement and spiritual solidarity to us that we attain the life that lasts forever.

In a spiritual journal, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton shows her awareness of this supportive crowd.

“Blessed Saints of God pray for the wandering weary soul who has stayed so far behind. You have reached the Summit. Pray for me.”
(Volume 1, Page 477)