Open Source Edition

In Brief

777

The word “Church” means “convocation.” It designates the assembly of those whom God’s Word “convokes”, i.e., gathers together to form the People of God, and who themselves, nourished with the Body of Christ, become the Body of Christ.

778

The Church is both the means and the goal of God’s plan: prefigured in creation, prepared for in the Old Covenant, founded by the words and actions of Jesus Christ, fulfilled by his redeeming cross and his Resurrection, the Church has been manifested as the mystery of salvation by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. She will be perfected in the glory of heaven as the assembly of all the redeemed of the earth.[Cf. Rev 14:4.]

779

The Church is both visible and spiritual, a hierarchical society and the Mystical Body of Christ. She is one, yet formed of two components, human and divine. That is her mystery, which only faith can accept.

780

The Church in this world is the sacrament of salvation, the sign and the instrument of the communion of God and men.