Yesterday, we celebrated the Church Triumphant: those who already join God’s company in heaven. Today, we commemorate all the faithful departed. They are currently being purified in Purgatory from the sins they have committed while on earth, preparing for their entry to heaven. We call this division of the Church the “?????? ?????????” or the “?????? ????????”.
At the split-second after death, we are judged (Particular Judgement) based on our actions and deeds throughout our life. Our Lord described this judgement in the parable of the poor Lazarus (Lk. 16:22) and his words to the repentant thief on the cross (Lk. 23:43). The faithful ones proceed to eternal life in heaven. However, no stain of uncleanliness may enter heaven (Rev. 21:27). Thus, those who died in God’s friendship but still are imperfectly purified need to undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter heaven (2 Cor. 5:8). This intermediate state where one suffers from temporal punishment as a form of purification is called Purgatory.
As a form of Christian charity, we who are on earth are called to pray and offer Masses for our brethren who are in this purification process. In the same way that Judas (not Iscariot) “made atonement for the dead, that they be delivered from sin.” (2 Macc 12:46). Thus, on this day, we offer Masses for the dead and earn indulgences for them (by devoutly visiting the cemetery to pray for the departed, having confession, receiving the Eucharist, and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father). Filipino popular piety also includes praying the Novena for the dead and the singing of the Cry of the Souls in Purgatory. Offering food for the dead, however, is NOT a permitted practice.
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Listen kindly to our prayers, O Lord, and, as our faith in your Son, raised from the dead, is deepened, so may our hope of resurrection for your departed servants also find new strength. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
