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October 16, 2020Praying for Deceased Loved Ones is Your Obligation
The month of November is a time for all of us to remember and to pray for our deceased relatives and friends. Unfortunately, some people question why we pray for the dead. They believe that once someone has died, there is nothing else that we can do for them.
The Reality of Purgatory
The custom of praying for the dead is rooted in the very nature of heaven. The Bible indicates that there can be nothing imperfect in heaven. When describing the vision of the New Jerusalem, God’s eternal kingdom, Revelation 21:27 states, “Nothing unclean will enter it.” Unfortunately, many people who die have not lived as perfect humans, and do not die in a state of perfection. At the same time, they have not made the choice to totally separate themselves from God. They may have expressed regret for their sins and been forgiven, but their love of God at the time of their death may not have been as profound and perfect as it should have been. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: 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. (CCC 1030)
The Church today refers to the souls in Purgatory as “our brethren … who having died are still being purified (Lumen Gentium, No. 51).” They continue to be important members of the Church, of the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ according to the belief in the communion of saints. We are able to assist the faithful departed by our prayers, just as they can also help us by their prayers (CCC 958).
The Tradition of Praying for the Dead
Prayers for the dead have been offered for many centuries. The earliest reference in the Bible is found in the Second Book of Maccabees (2 Maccabees 12: 42-43, 46). Judas and his companions prayed that God might deliver these soldiers from their sin and assist them on their journey to eternal light. This is the first indication we have in the Bible that the prayers of the living can help deliver the dead from any sin that might separate them from God’s presence, and prevent them from finding eternal peace and life.
The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council mentioned that the Church has honored the memory of the dead from the beginning (Lumen Gentium 50). The Christian community in Rome gathered in the catacombs under the city to pray for those faithful followers of Christ who had been buried there.
The Catholic Church has taught for centuries that our prayers assist those who have died. We commend their soul to God’s mercy and pray for them. We can help them not only by our prayers, but also by offering a Mass in their name, by giving alms, by indulgences or other works of penance done for their benefit (CCC 1032).
This November, the month dedicated to prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, let us remember to keep all of the souls in Purgatory in our prayers out of love. Let us remember that prayers can be extremely powerful in assisting the souls of our loved ones in their journey to attain eternal life and peace.
Things You and Your Family Can Do….- Fill out the names of your dearly departed on the envelope provided at the church, for whom Masses will be offered. You are encouraged to place a sacrificial offering in the envelope as well.
- Invite your families and friends to the Blessing of Graves and Mass on October 25.
- Visit the cemetery during the month of November as many times as possible, especially with your children, and pray for your loved ones even if they are not buried in our church cemeteries.
- Pray the Rosary as a family for your deceased loved ones.
- Friends, the deceased members of our families have spent a lot of time for you while they were here on earth. It is your turn to spend some time for them.
May His Name be Glorified
Fr. Tomi
Attribution: Catholic Life Blogspot