2. Our Catholic Faith Living What We Believe
CHAPTER 5
Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life
 Eternal Destiny
 Communion of Saints
 One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins
 The Last Things: Eschatology

3. Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life Eternal Destiny
The single most important goal in life here on earth is to get to Heaven

4. The graces of the sacraments
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life Communion of Saints
In God’s family, each person shares in the spiritual benefits of the other members:
The Catholic faith
The graces of the sacraments
The spiritual benefits of the charisms of the Holy Spirit
The material goods shared among all
The fruits of a just society
The communion that results from charity

5. EUCHARIST All members of God’s family Pilgrim Church Church Triumphant
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life Communion of Saints
EUCHARIST
Pilgrim Church
Those of us who are living on earth today
Church Triumphant
The blessed in Heaven
All members of God’s family
Church Suffering
Those undergoing purification in Purgatory

6. Every member of Christ’s Body has a call to holiness
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life Communion of Saints
Devotion to the Saints
Every member of Christ’s Body has a call to holiness
The example of canonized saints can help all friends of Christ on the path to holiness
By imitating their virtues and honoring them through prayerful devotion
Devotion involves veneration, not worship
True devotion involves studying their lives and imitating their virtues

7. Mary, the Greatest Saint
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life Communion of Saints
Mary, the Greatest Saint
Mary plays a special role in Salvation History
Mary fully cooperated with our Lord’s work of Salvation
The Church honors Mary with many titles which tell us something about what we believe about her
Mary intercedes on our behalf, just as she did for the married couple at the wedding in Cana

8. Titles for Mary Helper Our Lady Mediatrix Blessed Mother Ever Virgin
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life Communion of Saints
Titles for Mary
Helper
Mediatrix
Our Lady
Blessed Mother
Ever Virgin
Advocate
Mother of the
Church
Queen of Heaven & Earth
Mother of God

9. Immaculate Conception Mother of God & Mother of the Church
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life Communion of Saints
Truths about Mary
Immaculate Conception
From the first moment of her conception, Mary was preserved immune from Original Sin
Virgin Mary
Mary remained a virgin “before, in, and after” the birth of Jesus.
Mother of God & Mother of the Church
Because Jesus is one Divine Person possessing both a divine nature and a human nature, Mary was the Mother of God.
Mary is a spiritual mother whose love for her Son and for us helps bring birth to believers in the Church
Assumption
At the completion of her earthly life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory

10. you retain are retained.”
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins
Forgiveness of sins was an essential part of Jesus’ earthly ministry
Jesus instructed his disciples to continue to forgive sins in his name.
Baptism is the primary sacrament of forgiveness and is the complete remission of both Original Sin and personal sin.
“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins
you retain are retained.”
John 20:22-23

11. Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins
Types of Sin
Sin an offense against God through a violation of truth, reason, and conscience
Original Sin the prideful disobedience of Adam and Eve and the effects of this disobedience that all humans inherit
Actual Sin personal, individual sin; an act, word, or desire contrary to eternal law
Degrees of Sin Venial sin – “lesser sins” that are a stumbling block on the path to following Jesus Mortal sin – the most serious kind of sin that kills our relation to God and others
Types of Sin 1. freely chosen bad attitudes or inordinate desires 2. failure to act (omission) 3. actions directed against God, neighbor, or self (commission)
Conditions for Mortal Sin
● Grave matter ● Sufficient reflection ● Full consent of the will

12. The Sacrament of Penance
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins
The Sacrament of Penance
Christ forgives mortal sins through this sacrament
It is a “second baptism” in which the Church proclaims once again Christ’s forgiveness of the contrite sinner
Three signs of true contrition:
(1) a sincere intention to avoid sin in the future
(2) avoid the “near occasions” of sin
(3) as far as possible, repair any harm our sins have caused

13. Scripture teaches that death is a penalty for sin
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life The Last Things: Eschatology
Death
Scripture teaches that death is a penalty for sin
Jesus’ own acceptance of his Death is a model for all
Death is a profound mystery, but Christian faith reveals that Jesus Christ conquered death
If we die in union with Christ, we will rise on the last day with Christ in his glory

14. The Resurrection of the Body
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life The Last Things: Eschatology
The Resurrection of the Body
When Christ comes again the most Blessed Trinity will raise our bodies which will be made incorrupt and will rejoin our souls
The most important quality of the resurrected body will be immortality
Other attributes listed by St. Paul: imperishable, glorious, powerful, spiritual
The resurrected body will shine brightly, reflecting the glory of the Beatific Vision

15. Hell Purgatory Particular Judgment Heaven
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life The Last Things: Eschatology
“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor 2:9
Hell
Remaining separated from forever by one’s own free choice
Purgatory
The state of being of the final purification of those who die in God’s grace and friendship.
Particular Judgment
The individual judgment that determines if we go to Heaven immediately, need purification in Purgatory, or must suffer the punishments of Hell
Heaven
Our union with the loving, Triune God, the Blessed Mother, and all the angels and saints

16. Death Personal Judgment Purgatory Hell Heaven
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life The Last Things: Eschatology
Death
Personal Judgment
Purgatory
Hell
Heaven

17. The Last or General Judgment
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life The Last Things: Eschatology
The Last or General Judgment
Events of the last day of human history when the resurrection of the just and unjust will take place and the Risen, Glorified Lord will come again
Christ, who is Truth itself, will reveal each person’s relationship with God
Everyone will recognize God’s saving plan in Christ Jesus

18. Means “so be it, I agree, certainly, it is firm”
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life The Last Things: Eschatology
Amen
Means “so be it, I agree, certainly, it is firm”
When we says Amen, we are making an act of faith, proclaiming the truth of what we pray and celebrate.
Jesus often said Amen to stress that what he was about to teach was trustworthy, that it came from his Father.

19. Resurrection of the body (140) Beatific Vision (141)
Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life VOCABULARY
Venial sin (136)
Vices (136)
Capital sins (136)
Mortal sins (137)
Hell (137)
Resurrection of the body (140)
Beatific Vision (141)
Particular judgment (142)
Last (General) judgment (146)
Amen (147)
Communion of Saints (127)
Eschatology (127)
Heaven (127)
Charisms (127)
Purgatory (128)
Saint (129)
Immaculate Conception (130)
Assumption (131)
Theo-tokos (131)
Sin (135)

20. Chapter 4 The Church: The Body of Christ Prayer for Our Dear Departed
O God Jesus, Whose loving heart was ever troubled by the sorrows of others, look with pity on the souls of our dear ones in Purgatory. O Thou Who didst “love Thine own” hear our cry for mercy, and grant that those whom Thou hast called from our homes and hearts may soon enjoy everlasting rest in the home of Thy Love in Heaven. Amen.
Prayer for Our Dear Departed