ALL SOULS DAY

Today, All Souls' Day, the Church offers prayers to honor and to intercede for those who have predeceased us.
This commemoration also brings to mind our own mortality. It can be a day of mixed emotions, for, while we are saddened to recall the deaths of our loved ones,  we are also reminded of our resurrection. Because of our Baptism and the price Jesus paid for our sins, we too can share in the Resurrection.

A too common error among many believing Catholics is their attitude toward death and what happens immediately after death. All too many are convinced that their loved ones, immediately after passing from this life to the next, are already in heaven, even though such loved ones did not live an exemplary and holy life. Remember what the last Book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, teaches us: “Nothing impure can enter the Kingdom of God.”  Jesus also states: “Blessed are the pure of heart for they will see God.”(Mt. 5:8)

How often do we hear at funerals, referring to the deceased, these words: “Well, he is in a better place now!” or “Now he is no longer suffering.” Obviously, those who utter these statements toward the deceased have no bad will in the least. Nonetheless, these statements can cause great damage and the reason is crystal clear! If this person who has passed into eternity is in a better place, which of course refers to heaven, and if he is no longer suffering because he enjoys the perpetual bliss of heaven, then it is not necessary to offer any prayers or sacrifices for the purification of his soul. In other words, why waste prayers and sacrifices in praying for a soul who is already in heaven? They can pray and intercede for us.

However, we must arrive at the bare truth. Only those who are absolutely pure, without any stain of sin, without any attachments to sin and this world, and who have been totally purified of their past sins can have access to the Kingdom of heaven. Most of us would have to admit, with honesty and truth, that we probably have not arrived at that state, yet. In other words, only those who have perfected themselves in charity—supernatural love for God and neighbor—are ready to enter into the utter holiness and essence of the eternal Home of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Mary, the angels and saints!

Therefore, no matter who the person is and was, after he has passed from this life to the next, it is a salutary practice and most pleasing to God to pray, offer sacrifices, offer Masses and offer alms for the deceased. We should not canonize them before their time. Only the Holy Father, the Pope, has the right to declare officially that such a person is a saint in heaven.

Therefore, if such a person has died in the state of grace, but has not yet arrived at heaven, then his destiny is that of PURGATORY. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Purgatory as such:

“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 Catechism of the Catholic Church also quotes Pope Saint Gregory the Great, who is the origin and initiator of the “Gregorian Masses”—meaning 30 consecutive Masses for the deceased, on the topic of Purgatory with these motivating words:

“As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.” (CCC #1031)

Then the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers us a clear Biblical passage from the Old Testament, the Book of Maccabees (2 Mac. 12:46) that gives support and proof for the reality of Purgatory, as well as what practices we should undertake so as to help these poor souls in their suffering to arrive safely home in heaven. In a word, the souls in Purgatory are saved because they died in the state of sanctifying grace, but they are totally dependent upon the infinite mercy of Almighty God for final purification. However, the mercy of Almighty God is partially mediated through what we do for them while we are on earth. God wants us to do all we can to help these souls attain their eternal reward. Therefore, let us read and reflect seriously in an attitude of prayer the words once again of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: Therefore (Judas Maccabeus) made atonement for the dead that they might be delivered from their sin (2.Mac.12:45). From the beginning, the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: “Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice (Job.1:5), why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.” (CCC # 1032)

 We can only be truly consoled by trusting in the Lord’s words: I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even if they die, will live [Jn. 11: 25]. It is in this faith and trust in God’s goodness that we pray for the deceased. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied, says Paul in 1 cor.15:19.

We are reminded today, on All Souls Day, not only to pray for those who have died, but also to reflect on how well we might be meeting our own obligations with those entrusted by Christ to our loving care.