November – A Month to Remember

In the Second Book of Maccabees we read of Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish people one hundred and fifty years before the birth of Christ. He led an army against the Greek invaders who had taken over his country. Several of his men were killed in battle, many of them wearing superstitious amulets or charms around their necks, a practice that was totally opposed to their Jewish faith. When Judas Maccabeus discovered this, he took up a collection among all the people and sent two thousand drachmas to the Temple in Jerusalem to have sacrifices offered for those who have died, reminding us to this day, ‘it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead…’

The month of November is an occasion for us to continue the tradition of praying for our dead, not just as mere acts of remembrance, but that their souls, through the mercy of God, will rest in peace. Remembering loved ones – the faithful departed - during the month has always been seen as an act of charity to the faithful departed from those who still have the gift of life to help them attain their eternal rest. Not only is it a spiritual work of mercy to ‘pray for the living and the dead’ but in the offering of every Mass, we pray for those ‘who have died in the hope of the resurrection’.

‘ From the beginning the Church has honoured the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all in the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 1032)

In the Eucharistic Prayer I, we are reminded that every Mass is offered, ‘for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being, and paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true.’ Remembering our dead reminds us of our own mortality, our need of redemption, and the promise of eternal life that awaits the faithful departed. We share in Christ’s death so that we can share in his resurrection.

Throughout the month we direct our attention to the souls in purgatory. The Church holds that purgatory is a state where those who are not worthy of sharing eternal life with Christ enter until they are purified. Pope Benedict XVI enlightened our understanding of purgatory when he wrote, ‘I would go so far as to say that if there was no purgatory, then we would have to invent it, for who would dare to say to themselves that they were able to stand directly before God. Purgatory basically means that God can put the pieces back together again. He can cleanse us in such a way that we are able to be with him and can stand there in the fullness of life. Purgatory strips from one person what is unbearable, so that in each of them a pure heart is revealed.’

Our prayers, particularly the offering of Mass, expresses our hope that God will free the person who has died from any burden of sin and prepare a place for them in heaven.

WAYS TO PRAY FOR THE HOLY SOULS

• Pray the Novena to the Holy Souls. • Have Masses offered for your departed loved ones. • Pray The Way Of The Cross for Souls in Purgatory. • Pray the Rosary for the Holy Souls. • Give alms: The giving of material assistance to the poor has always been considered a penance that can be offered for the Holy Souls. “For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin” (Tobit 12:9). • Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the intention of the Holy Souls. • When passing/visiting a cemetery, pray the short ‘Eternal Rest’ prayer. • Eucharistic Adoration: visit the Blessed Sacrament to make acts of reparation to the Sacred Heart of

Jesus on behalf of those in purgatory. • Pray the Office of the Dead which can be found in the Liturgy of the Hours.