The ninth article of the Creed is, "the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints".
The ninth article professes faith in the Church founded by Jesus Christ and in the communion that exists among all who belong to Him. The Church is not merely a human organisation but the Body of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit and entrusted with the mission of proclaiming the Gospel and administering the sacraments. The phrase "Holy Catholic Church" expresses the Church's divine origin, universal mission, and call to holiness. The "communion of saints" refers to the spiritual union that exists between the faithful on earth, the souls being purified after death, and the saints in Heaven. All members of Christ's Body are united through Him and share in spiritual goods such as prayer, grace, and charity. This article reminds Catholics that Christianity is not meant to be lived in isolation. Believers are part of a worldwide family united in Christ across time and eternity.
The Church is the People that God gathers in the whole world. The communion of saints is the Church. There exists a constant bond of charity and an abundant exchange of spiritual goods among the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body.
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