The minds of saints are caught up into the mind of Christ, their hearts are united to the heart of Christ, their souls are filled full with the Spirit of Christ.  Can we wonder, then, that the Blessed Saints in the world to come have already entered into the joy of their Lord?

And make no mistake, we too must become like them, if not in this life at any rate in the next, before we can ever share his joy with them.

So let us encourage one another and run with perseverance the race that is set before us, pressing on towards our glorious goal – to see God face to face and to enjoy for ever, with the Blessed Saints, the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love him (see 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 2:9).

Reference

1. See Prayer of St Thomas Aquinas:
http://www.thomas-aquinas.org/about/prayers/