“The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” – WIS 3: 1
 
Today is the Commemoration of the All the Faithful Departed or as we simply know it as, All Souls' Day. Holy Mother Church, after celebrating the feast of All Saints, today prays for all who, in the purifying suffering of Purgatory, await the day they will join in Heavenly Glory. The celebration of the Mass, which represents the Sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary, has always been the principal means by which the Catholic Church fulfills the great responsibility of Charity toward the dead. Remember, death cannot break the bonds of the Body of Christ. 

"All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.  The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned" (CCC 1030-1031).

While All Souls' Day is not a Holy Day of obligation in the United States, though attending Mass and offering prayers for the dead is strongly encouraged.  For our families, this is a day that is dedicated to praying for the Souls of the Faithful who have died in God's Grace and friendship, but who still require final purification in Purgatory before entering the Beatific Vision of Heaven Our Universal Catholic Church has the practice of praying for the deceased daily.  This practice is rooted in Sacred Scripture, notably 2 Maccabees 12:46 which states, "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins".

We are blessed as Catholics to gain a plenary indulgence that is applicable only to the souls in Purgatory.  This is achieved under the usual conditions; sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope through specific actions.  

First, visit a church or public orator on November 2 and recite the Our Father and the Creed. Next, we should visit a cemetery and pray for the departed, even if only mentally, each day, from November 1 to November 8.  

If we are unable to gain a plenary indulgence, then we shouldjust pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory daily, especially during the month of November.  One prayer is the traditional prayer, the Eternal Rest Prayer.  
 
"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.” – Amen.
 
May God’s Grace and Blessings Always be with You and Yours!!

Shalom,
Deacon Bob