564. How are the saints guides for prayer?
(Comp 564) The saints are our models of
prayer. We also ask them to intercede before the Holy Trinity for us and for
the whole world. Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s
plan. In the communion of saints, throughout the history of the Church, there
have developed different types of spiritualities that teach us how to live and
to practice the way of prayer.
“In brief”
(CCC 2692) In prayer, the pilgrim Church is associated with
that of the saints, whose intercession she asks. (CCC 2693) The different
schools of Christian spirituality share in the living tradition of prayer and
are precious guides for the spiritual life.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 2683) The witnesses who have preceded us into the
kingdom (Cf. Heb 12:1), especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints,
share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the
transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate God,
praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When
they entered into the joy of their Master, they were "put in charge of
many things" (Cf. Mt 25:21). Their intercession is their most exalted
service to God's plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for
the whole world.
Reflection
(CCC 2684) In the communion of saints, many and varied spiritualities have been developed
throughout the history of the churches. The personal charism of some witnesses
to God's love for men has been handed on, like "the spirit" of Elijah
to Elisha and John the Baptist, so that their followers may have a share in
this spirit (Cf. 2 Kings 2:9; Lk 1:1; PC 2).
A distinct spirituality can also arise at the point of convergence of
liturgical and theological currents, bearing witness to the integration of the
faith into a particular human environment and its history. The different
schools of Christian spirituality share in the living tradition of prayer and
are essential guides for the faithful. In their rich diversity they are refractions
of the one pure light of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is truly the dwelling of
the saints and the saints are for the Spirit a place where he dwells as in his
own home since they offer themselves as a dwelling place for God and are called
his temple (St. Basil, De Spiritu Sancto,
26, 62: PG 32, 184).
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