Friday, November 05, 2004

A Catechesis on Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead

The month of November is set aside in the Church as a special time of prayer for the dead, beginning with the celebration of All Souls Day on Nov. 2. During November, we should develop a habit daily prayer for the dead, if we are not already doing so. Prayer for the dead is a spiritual work of mercy (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1032).

In other words, it is an essential part of our witness to God’s love and mercy. Prayer for the dead both honors the memory of the dead and expresses our continuing love of them by assisting them to be freed of any temporal punishment due to sin and to reach their lasting home with God.
Archbishop Burke's Article here.

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