Beloved Parishioners,

Last week I rounded off the reflection on All Saints and today I wish to reflect on All Souls which is celebrated the next day after All Saints. In my reflection on All Saints, it was pointed out that the Communion of the Saints occurs on the level of santi (holy people) on the three states of the Church namely, the Church Triumphant, the Church Militant, and the Church Penitent.

It was noted equally according to the teaching of CCC 947 that “Since all the faithful form one body, the good of each is communicated to the others…”, it follows that just as we solicit for the prayers and support of the saints in heaven, we owe it as a Christian duty and indeed it is one of the corporal works of mercy to pray for the dead, the members of the Church penitent.

Just like the feast of All Saints, All Souls signifies to us also that we belong to a larger communion which transcends time and space and connects us with the Church penitent. Hence All Souls is a time to remember and pray for all the faithful departed, especially those in purgatory.

We Catholics pray for the dead primarily to offer intercession for those who have passed away. We believe that the souls who have died in grace but still need to be cleansed of venial sins are debarred from the Beatific vision because nothing unclean shall see God (Revelation 21:27, Hebrews 12:14). Therefore, these souls go for mortification and purification for a little while in purgatory where it now falls on us, the faithful on earth, to help them by our prayers, alms, deeds, and especially by the sacrifice of the Holy Mass to achieve a quicker passage to heaven. Our prayers for them are an expression of love and solidarity. When we pray for them, we help them on their journey toward God and when they get to heaven, they in turn pray for us.

The doctrine of purgatory is not explicitly stated in the Bible, but we Catholics find support for it in several passages and traditions. Some of these scriptural references include: 2 Maccabees 12:38-46 — This passage describes Judas Maccabeus making atonement for the dead, suggesting a belief in purification after death.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 — Paul speaks of a person’s work being tested by fire, indicating that some may be saved, yet so as through fire, which can be interpreted as a process of purification. Matthew 12:32 — Jesus mentions that certain sins will not be forgiven “either in this age or in the age to come,” implying the possibility of forgiveness after death.

Over and above the spiritual significance of this feast, we ought to always remember and honor the memories of our departed loved ones. This remembrance keeps their memories alive in our hearts and helps bring us closer and comfort from the painful goodbye we bid them. Today I invite us to take a moment to think about those we have lost, recalling their names and the impact they had on our lives. I also encourage us to express gratitude to God for the gift of our departed loved ones and for the time spent with them. We shall also think about how we can honor their memories through our own lives. I encourage that we light a candle in their honor and offer Masses for them.

In this celebration we express our hope of eternal life. We remind ourselves of the promise of eternal life and the hope that we have in Christ’s resurrection. In John 14:2-3, Jesus assures us of a place in His Father’s house thus we ought to find comfort in knowing that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life with God.

I also wish to remind us that the Church grants a plenary indulgence to anyone who devoutly visits a cemetery between 1-8 November to pray for the departed souls or simply pray mentally for their peaceful repose in a chapel or Church. We pray for all the faithful departed asking God to grant them peace and eternal rest. May their souls rest in perfect peace. Amen.

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