Have we asked ourselves why we pray for the dead? When the letter to the Hebrews says, “After death comes judgment” (Heb 9: 27)? When there is a saying, “There is no repentance in the grave?” Does this mean that we are just wasting our time? No, we are not!

As Catholics, we believe in the Communion of Saints. This communion or fellowship includes the triumphant church’s saints, the militant church, and the suffering church. So, we are in a fellowship in which we can help each other through our prayers. The Church suffering in purgatory needs purification to reach their eternal destination.

The Church’s official teaching on Purgatory is plain and simple. The Council of Trent specifically says there is a place or state of purification called Purgatory where souls undergoing purification can be helped by the prayers of the faithful. Some modern theologians suggest the fire of Purgatory is an intense, transforming encounter with Jesus Christ and his fire of love. They also speak of Purgatory as an “instant” purification immediately after death, varying in intensity from soul to soul, depending on the state of each individual.

How do we help the “holy souls”? The Catechism of the Catholic Church recommends prayers for the dead in conjunction with the offering of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, and encourages “almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead” (CCC #1032).

Let us not forget to pray for our beloved departed, have Masses offered for them, visit their graves, and make daily sacrifices for them. God can foresee and apply the merits of our prayers, penances and works of charity, done even years after their death, for our departed dear ones, in favor of our deceased dear ones at the moment of their deaths.

All Souls’ Day is a day specially set apart that we may remember and pray for our dear ones who have gone to their eternal reward and who are currently in a state of ongoing purification.

According to Rv 21:27: “…nothing unclean shall enter Heaven.” We can read (Prv 24:16) which says that even “the just sin seven times a day.” Since it would be contrary to the mercy of God to punish such souls with venial sins in Hell, they are seen as entering a place or state of purification called Purgatory, which combines God’s justice with His mercy. This teaching is also contained in the doctrine of the Communion of Saints.

People of all religions believe in the immortality of the soul, yet some still pray for the dead. We can see that from the early centuries of the Church, the liturgies of the Mass in various rites included “Prayers for the Dead.”