Roma Locuta Est

January 23, 2024 (Edward J. Barr) – In earlier articles (see Spiritual Spying) we explored the dangers that the demonic world poses to God’s children. Then we examined the role of the heavenly host, Mary, queen of the angels, and the Guardian angels. We will now explore the impact the Saints can have on our spiritual journey, that of the church, and that of the world. Many Catholics have devotions to Saints. They are without a doubt the best role models we can have to ensure we reach our final goal, the place prepared for us by the Father. He wants us to remain with Him eternally in heaven after our time on earth has ended.

The body of Christ cannot be separated.  His glorified body didn’t vanish once He left the earth, and His love for us remains in those baptized into trinitarian love. While we remain on earth, we fight the good fight as part of the Church Militant. We battle for our eternal souls and those of our friends and family members. As St. Paul states, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom 8: 31-39).  If we depart this earth in the love of God, we are graced with eternal life through Christ.  Those who require a purification remain part of the Body of Christ through the Church Suffering.  Those who are in heaven are part of the Church Triumphant.  All are in Christ, if in a different mode.

The Saints in the Church Triumphant are key allies in our spiritual journey. Sometimes their intercession is clear and convincing. One of the most famous conversions of the last century was that of the murderer of Saint Maria Goretti, Alessandro Serenelli. 

“Alessandro was neither repentant nor remorseful. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Six years into his term he had a dream in which he saw Maria in a garden picking flowers. She handed him 14 white lilies, one for each stab wound he had given her, representing her forgiveness. Each one burst into flames as he received it. From then on, he was transformed.” (Source: Serenelli Project)

Could others experience something similar between physical death and their final decision to accept Christ’s forgiveness and invitation to live with Him forever? The saints have unique power given that they are in heaven. As such, they participate as members of Christ’s body in a hallowed manner. Just as the good angels irrevocable choice to serve the almighty resulted in the beatific vision, once a soul makes it to heaven, they are forever in the state of holiness. 

Many Catholics have a devotion to Mary, their patron saints, or other “famous” and popular saints. There are many more saints whose intercession we can seek. The canonized saints are only a small fraction of the saints in heaven. The Church institutes a wonderfully detailed and thoughtful investigation to determine if a soul is in heaven. Yet it also costs money. That is one reason why most saints are priests or religious.  

Most Christians will never have a cause for sainthood opened. It’s just impractical. However, that does not mean that we can’t access saints who are not officially canonized by the church.  We can ask the intercession of friends and family members who led holy and spiritual lives.  While we can’t know for certain that they are part of the Church Triumphant, no prayer is wasted.   

There are several options for selecting new saints to assist you in the battle against Satan and his minions.  Saints from your profession, from the country of your ancestors (and your ancestors), from churches used to attend, or from schools you attended. You don’t have to be specific.  For example, just as you can ask the intercession of the guardian angel protecting your diocese, you could ask for the intercession of all the saints that were part of the diocese during their earthly life. 

God is immensely generous in the graces He gives us.  The plan of salvation is perfect because it is of Love, by Love.  Christ is the Truth, the Way, and the Life.  Engaging His body in the Church Triumphant is a beautiful way to recognize the glory and graces we gained through His Ascension into heaven.  In our final review of the “Good Guys” in the spiritual battle we all face we will turn to the forgotten Church, the Church Suffering.

Edward J Barr, Esq. is a Catechist and public speaker based in Florida.  He earned a Master of Theology degree from the Augustine Institute. His first novel, The Gray Apostle: Mission of the Messiah is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores. The second in the series, The Gray Apostle: Roman Justice, will be released during Lent, 2024. Mr. Barr is a contributing writer for the Roma Locuta Est blog (www.RomaLocutaEst.com)