November is known as the Month of the Holy Souls, during which the Church especially encourages the faithful to pray for those in Purgatory. According to Catholic teaching, souls who die in God’s grace but are not yet perfectly purified must undergo a process of spiritual purification before entering Heaven. These souls are referred to as the Holy Souls, and Purgatory is the place where this purification occurs.
St. Augustine taught that some believers may pass through a purifying fire after death, which cleanses them before they enter heaven. He suggested that this process could involve suffering beyond any experienced in earthly life [Enchiridion, ch. 69].
All the saints are in communion with us in Christ, and the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints can intercede for us. When we pray to the saints, the Lord acts through them, bestowing grace upon us. By offering prayers, sacrifices, and good works, the faithful can assist the departed in their purification, helping the Holy Souls attain communion with God sooner. The Communion of Saints unites the Church on earth, in Purgatory, and in Heaven.
The day after All Saints’ Day is All Souls’ Day, which this year falls on a Sunday [November 2]. On that day, the Diocese of Hong Kong will celebrate Masses at the four Catholic cemeteries to commemorate all faithful departed and to help purify the souls of the deceased through prayer, offerings, repentance, and atonement.
The Lord’s greatest commandment is the commandment of love. He encourages us to love one another and help each other. Through the Communion of Saints, we pray with love for the departed, helping those who have not yet reached perfection in their lives to ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven sooner, reuniting with God and the company of saints to enjoy eternal life.
If the faithful properly fulfill the requirements of sacramental confession, receive Holy Communion, pray for the pope’s intentions, and perform the prescribed good works, they may obtain a Plenary Indulgence for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
The late Pope Francis presided over Mass at Laurentino Cemetery in Rome on All Souls’ Day last year. In his homily, he asked the Lord to teach us to count our days with wisdom of heart, to understand that death is not annihilation but the way toward eternal life, to be with God forever.
This past Wednesday, October 29, was the Chung Yeung Festival, so we enjoyed a public holiday. Some may have used the day to rest and clear their minds, while others may have met with friends for fun and celebration. Regardless of how the day was spent, we hope everyone remembers the meaning of this traditional Chinese festival.
Why not take the opportunity to visit the graves of ancestors, expressing our remembrance of departed relatives and friends? This serves to teach the next generation about their origins and filial piety and allows us, in this life, to connect with our loved ones in Heaven, so that we may one day reunite there. SE
