The month of November is traditionally dedicated by the Church to offer suffrages for all the faithful departed and holy souls in purgatory. We who are on earth can help these holy souls in their purification by praying for them. The Church from very beginning has always honored the memory of the dead by offering Holy Masses and prayers, through almsgiving, indulgences and works of penances undertaken for the dead.
A suffrage is an intercessory prayer on behalf of someone, in this case, of our dear brothers and sisters who have gone before us. The prayers prescribed or promised for specific intentions. More particularly, suffrages are the Masses, prayers, or acts of piety offered for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. Through the communion of saints, we here on earth could “expedite” the entry into heaven of all our faithful departed brothers and sisters who are still in purgatory, purifying themselves from the temporal punishment left by their sins which were already forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession, by praying for them.
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. (2 Maccabees 12:46)
Let us dedicate ourselves to praying for the souls of all our departed loved ones as well as those who have no one to pray for them on earth.
A Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory
O most gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the souls of Your departed servants. Be not severe in Your judgments, but let some drops of Your Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames. And do You, O Merciful Saviour, send Your holy angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.
Why do we believe in purgatory? | WHY (1:32)
All Saints Day – November 1
All Saints’ Day (in the Roman Catholic Church officially the Solemnity of All Saints and also called All Hallows or Hallowmas), often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on November 1 in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. The celebration began many centuries ago. The Church wanted to remember all the holy people. These are people who lived good lives and followed Jesus. They are examples for us to follow.
All Saints Day is a time to thank God for these saints. We ask for their prayers and help. We believe they are with God in heaven. They can help us live good lives too. People go to Mass on All Saints Day as it is a holy day of obligation. It is a day of joy and hope. We remember that we are all called to be saints.
All Saints Day Pep Talk (7:15)
All Souls’ Day – November 2
All Souls’ Day is celebrated on November 2 and commemorates the faithful departed. The Roman Catholic celebration is associated with the doctrine that the souls of the faithful who at death have not been cleansed from the temporal punishment due to venial sins and from attachment to mortal sins cannot immediately attain the beatific vision in heaven, and that they may be helped to do so by prayer and by the sacrifice of the Mass. In other words, when they died, they had not yet attained full sanctification and moral perfection, a requirement for entrance into Heaven. This sanctification is carried out posthumously in purgatory.
On All Souls Day, we visit cemeteries and pray for the dead. We ask God to help the souls in purgatory. We believe our prayers can help them reach heaven. It is a time of hope and mercy.
Why All Soul’s Day? | Fr. Brice Higginbotham (3:44)
