The Church is the union of all who confess the true faith in
the true God, with the Lord Jesus Christ at her head, having as her aim the
spiritual perfection of each of her members. The Church is called catholic,
that is, universal, as embracing everything.
In the Church
of Christ there is neither Greek nor Jew, Barbarian, Scythian, bond,
nor free (Col. 3:11); the Church encompasses all peoples; into her enter people
from all places and times, living and dead, even the angels.
Therefore, all members of the Church can and
should participate in the Church's prayers. During the Liturgy, the
"common service;" the Bloodless Sacrifice is offered for all the
faithful, living and dead.
Besides this, the Church offers up separate
prayers for all that are in misfortune, in various special circumstances and
for the reposed, calling on her living members. To remember with fervor those
who have departed into the other life, asking God the forgiveness of sins they
may have committed and eternal blessedness in the Kingdom
of God.
September 10, 1944 Saturday before
The
Exaltation of the Cross
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