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Question

Hi Father, I have been following your column for a long time and I find it interesting and very detailed.

I congratulate you on this.

I am writing to you because I too have a question for you.

What are the Heavenly Church and Liturgy?

Are there any differences?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Answer of the priest

Dear friend,

1. By heavenly Church we mean the Church that is currently in heaven. In the past it was called the “Church triumphant”.

It was called in this way with respect to our condition as pilgrims on earth, of the Church here in this world which was called the “Church militant”.

The term “Church suffering” was also used in reference to the souls in purgatory.

2. The Council has never used the expression of Church triumphant.

The title of Chapter 7 of Lumen gentium reads: “The eschatological nature of the pilgrim Church and its union with the Church in heaven”.

3. Then it says what it is: “Until the Lord shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him (cf. Mt 25:31) and death being destroyed, all things are subject to Him, (cf. 1 Cor 15:26-27) some of His disciples are exiles on earth, some having died are purified, and others are in glory beholding «clearly God Himself triune and one, as He is»; but all in various ways and degrees are in communion in the same charity of God and neighbor and all sing the same hymn of glory to our God. For all who are in Christ, having His Spirit, form one Church and cleave together in Him (cf. Eph 4:16). Therefore the union of the wayfarers with the brethren who have gone to sleep in the peace of Christ is not in the least weakened or interrupted, but on the contrary, according to the perpetual faith of the Church, is strengthened by communication of spiritual goods” (LG 49).

4. By heavenly liturgy we mean the worship rendered to God by the inhabitants of Heaven.

This worship is constituted above all by the offering of the perennial sacrifice of Christ who is always alive to intercede on our behalf and by the prayer of the Saints.

We join the Church in Heaven above all in the offering of Christ’s sacrifice (the Eucharist).

The Council says that “Our union with the Church in heaven is put into effect in its noblest manner especially in the sacred Liturgy, wherein (…) all those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and gathered together into one Church, with one song of praise magnify the one and triune God.

Celebrating the Eucharistic sacrifice therefore, we are most closely united to the Church in heaven in communion with and venerating the memory first of all of the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, of Blessed Joseph and the blessed apostles and martyrs and of all the saints” (LG 50).

5. It is of great use to us to know that we are united with the Heavenly Liturgy “for by reason of the fact that those in heaven are more closely united with Christ, they establish the whole Church more firmly in holiness, lend nobility to the worship which the Church offers to God here on earth and in many ways contribute to its greater edification. For after they have been received into their heavenly home and are present to the Lord, (cf. 2 Cor 5: 8) through Him and with Him and in Him they do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, showing forth the merits which they won on earth through the one Mediator between God and man, (cf. 1 Tim 2: 5) serving God in all things and filling up in their flesh those things which are lacking of the sufferings of Christ for His Body which is the Church (cf. Col 1, 24). Thus by their brotherly interest our weakness is greatly strengthened” (LG 49).

Wishing you too to one day be a definitive citizen of the Church in heaven and to join its worship, I assure you of my prayers and I bless you.

Father Angelo

Translated by Chiara P.