The Mystical Body of Christ

• For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body.
• the society of those who have been baptized, and who profess the faith of Christ, and who are governed by their bishops under the visible head, the Pope, the Bishop of Rome

  Mystical communion
• St. Paul speaks of all Christians as members of Christ, so that with Him, they form one Mystical Body
• The Church came into being when Christ died on the Cross, but it was formally inaugurated on Pentecost, when He sent the Holy Spirit as He had promised.
• Christ is the Head of this mystical body; His faithful followers are its members
• This model means a worshipping community of believers who by their faith becomes a sign and instrument of the union of God and man.
• The Scriptural precedent is strong: the Church is the “Body of Christ”. As a body, the structure is vital, organic, growing.
• This model stresses the personal and interpersonal, the fellowship of persons with God and with each other.
• It emphasizes the importance of the sacraments, especially Baptism and Eucharist, which make us members of the Body of Christ.
• called the people of God

  Church
• The members of the Church are bound together by a supernatural life communicated to them byChrist through the sacraments.
• Christ is the center and source of life to Whom all are united, and Who endows each one with gifts fitting him for his position in the body.
• These graces, through which each is equipped for his work, form it into an organized whole, whose parts are knit together as though by a system of ligaments and joints.
• The Church is the Body of Christ.
• In the unity of this Body, there is a diversity of members and functions
• Baptism unites us with God.
• Christ "is the head of the body, the Church."
• Christ unites us with his Passover.
• Christ provides for our growth.
• Christ and his Church thus together make up the "whole Christ" (Christus totus). The Church is one with Christ.