In speaking of the truth of Scripture, Vatican II affirmed that the truth which Scripture contains is specifically "salvific truth", the truth which God revealed for our salvation. That Jesus was the Son of God and that he died for our salvation is one such truth. The many different aspects or elements of salvific truth are not given in Scripture with the same clarity. For example, expressions concerning faith and love are more plentiful and clearly stated than those concerning the virtue of hope. Yet, of course the Biblical doctrine of Christian hope is an important and indispensable part of the salvific truth of the Bible.

Similarly, there are truths which are only implicitly given in the Bible but which are useful for the practice of our religion. The doctrine of the Communion of Saints, which we profess in the Creed at Mass, is not explicitly taught in the Bible, but many passages underpin this doctrine. Thus passages such as Heb. 6:12 and Heb. chapter 11 encourage us to honour and to imitate the heroes of the faith. It is this doctrine which gives us the basis for today's celebration: we form one community with the saints.