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othing is  more  consoling  and  comforting than the  assurance  that  in  the  saints  of heaven  we  have  powerful  protectors  and  advocates with  God. Through their  intercession  they obtain for  us  from  Him  the  grace  to  lead  a  virtuous life  and  to  gain  heaven.

However, is  there  any  reasonable  doubt  that the saints  are  able  to  render  us  such  a  service? In virtue  of  the  communion  of  saints,  which  comprises the  Church  militant  on  earth,  the  Church suffering in  purgatory,  and  the  Church  triumphant in  heaven,  all  members  of  the  Church are members  of  one  body,  whose  head  is  Christ. Hence the  saints  are  united  with  us  in  spirit, though separated  from  us  in  body. United with Christ, they  are  imbued  with  a  superior  knowledge, and  through  Him,  the  All-Knowing,  they know everything  that  concerns  us,  and  for  which we have  recourse  to  them  in  prayer.

Our confidence  in  the  intercessory  power  of  the saints is  founded  on  their  relation  to  God  and to us. As friends  of  God  they  have  influence  with Him now,  even  more  than  during  their  sojourn on earth,  because  their  intercessory  power  is  one