PRAYING FOR THE DEAD

"Hi Kuya Jeff, my family and I are really excited to join the 'Trip to Jerusalem' recollection on October 26 at San Carlos Seminary. We decided to stay in the city this year to observe All Souls' Day, and thought attending the recollection would be a meaningful way to spend the day. Normally, we head to Iloilo to visit our loved ones' graves. Since we won’t be able to go to Iloilo this time, what are some activities we can do as a family to honor and remember them here instead? Would love your suggestions. Thanks in advance, and we're looking forward to seeing you at the recollection!" - Mother of Three

​1. It looks like you'll be missing out on pancit molo and biscocho this year, but thank you for deciding to join me and the other participants in a day of exploring the Holy Land, reading the Bible, and reflecting together. I'm just as excited as you are for Pathways of Promise. Regarding your question about observing All Souls’ Day, the Church has always taught us to remember the deceased: those we’ve known and loved, those whose memory has faded, and those who have no one else to pray for them. Catholic cemeteries provide a way to honor the dead while expressing the Church's belief in the sacredness of life, death, and resurrection. Traditionally, one of the most common ways we remember the dead is by visiting cemeteries and praying for the souls of the departed. A plenary indulgence can be gained for the souls in purgatory each day from November 1 to November 8 through this act of devotion. However, when we cannot visit a grave or there is no grave to visit, there are still other meaningful ways we can remember and honor our loved ones.

2. Offer Masses for the Dead. Participate in the Mass on November 2, the Solemnity of All Souls, to pray for your deceased family members, for those who have no one to pray for them, and for those who may pass away in the coming year. By offering the Eucharistic sacrifice for the deceased, the Church seeks God's mercy and forgiveness for those who have died, especially for those in purgatory who require purification before entering heaven. Each Mass holds infinite value, so requesting one or more Masses can greatly benefit both the individual being prayed for and their family, as their intentions unite with the prayers of the Church.

3. Setting a Catafalque. The family can create a catafalque at their home altar to serve as a memorial for the deceased. A catafalque, or tumba, literally refers to a scaffold or elevation that replaces the bier when the remains are not present. It can be as simple as an empty box holding names, photos, or personal belongings of the deceased, draped in a black cloth or pall—white is used for young children—and surrounded by candles and flowers. The family may recite prayers for the dead, such as the Rosary, De Profundis (Psalm 130), and the Litany for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, among others.

4. Visit to a Church or Oratory on All Souls Day. A plenary indulgence, which is applicable ONLY to the souls in purgatory, can be obtained by those who piously visit a church or public oratory where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved on All Souls Day. This indulgence may also be acquired on the Sunday before or after All Souls Day, or on the feast of All Saints, with the bishop's consent. While visiting the church or oratory, it is necessary to recite one Our Father and the Creed for the intentions of the Holy Father.
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5. "Eternal Rest." A partial indulgence applicable to the souls in purgatory may be gained by praying: "Eternal rest grant unto the souls in purgatory, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen."

6. We pray for the dead, trusting in God's mercy to assist the deceased in their final journey to heaven. The Catholic Church, building on this scriptural foundation, encourages prayers for the dead as a way to express faith in God's mercy and the hope of salvation for all souls. In 2 Maccabees 12:46, Judas Maccabeus offers prayers and sacrifices for the dead, viewing it as a holy and pious act to seek their freedom from sin. Similarly, in 2 Timothy 1:16-18, St. Paul prays for God's mercy to be granted to the departed Onesiphorus on the day of judgment. Our prayers can help shorten their time in purgatory and bring them closer to eternal life. In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, St. Paul speaks of God's purifying judgment, symbolized by fire. Those whose works are burned up "suffer loss" but are still saved, indicating that while their sins are purified, they are not condemned to hell. Instead, they are saved after undergoing a process of purification, which the Church understands as purgatory.
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As St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, expressed at her deathbed, "Bury my body wherever you will; let not the care of it cause you any concern. One thing only I ask of you: remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be." Whether or not the mortal remains of the deceased are present, we are called by compassion, mercy, and charity to pray for the dead. The deceased have no use for flowers, as they merely wither; they do not require tears, which eventually dry; they do not need food, as it decays; nor do they need songs, for they simply fade away. Coins hold no value for them, as they cannot be spent in their current state. What they truly need is our prayers. The echoes of their existence are everlasting, and their sincerity holds great power with God. By praying for them, we can aid their souls in reaching heaven. Prayer is an ideal expression of compassion and charity. Without our prayers, they are left helpless, except for the grace of God. It is both our duty and privilege to support the dearly departed through our prayers, good works, and especially through the holy sacrifice of the Mass.