Overview

In every celebration of Eucharist, on feastdays for particular saints, and on the feast of ‘All Saints’, Catholic Christians remember we are not alone on this earthly journey. Because of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, all are destined to live eternally with God. Those who have died live on beyond time. They form an invisible community, ‘in communion’ with the living. We are able to pray to them, because of their union with God, who answers our prayers.

Some saints are formally recognised by the worldwide Church as role models for faith and life. Other saints, including our relatives, may be unknown except to ourselves.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus has a special place in the hearts of Catholic Christians. She was first in faith among Jesus’ disciples. At the hour of his death, Jesus spoke to a ‘beloved disciple’ and his mother, standing below the cross;

‘Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son’. Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother’. And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his house.” (John 19:26-27)

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am you may be too.” (John 14:1-3)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

(Paragraph numbers for the Catechism are shown - Click the Nos section to view)

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS Nos 946-962 
MARY - MOTHER OF CHRIST, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH Nos 963-975