This feast day is one of the most loving celebrations in all the Church's liturgy. It is the day that we especially remember all the faithful departed-those who have passed from this life into the next. 

We don't know how long a particular individual who dies spends in purgatory. However, we do know that purgatory is real. Today we stop to remember all who have died. We especially pray for those who were related to us. We pray for those who taught us good things. We pray for those who made sacrifices for us. We pray for those who prayed for us while they were on this earth. We pray for the most forgotten souls. We pray for those who had great responsibilities while they were on earth. 
We think of those holy souls in purgatory and we realize that they are saved. Now they wait, being purified, until the moment when they can be with God, face to face. We can pray for the souls in purgatory and hasten their journey to God. 

Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. 

The Church's teaching about Purgatory, the place of purification, is explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (§1030-1032):

"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 heaven.

"The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

"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.

"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.' 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 almogiving, 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, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them." [Saint John Chrysostom - 4th century]

We can express our love for those who have died by remembering them today, praying for them with faith and trust in the power of Jesus' resurrection, our source of hope.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON PURGATORY

DATES TO REMEMBER

NOV. 1 - ALL SAINTS' DAY

(Mass schedule:  11:30 am and 7:00 pm Oceana Chapel)

NOV. 2 - ALL SOULS' DAY

NOV. 4 - FIRST FRIDAY VIGIL at St. Luke's

NOV. 5 - VIRTUS Training for adults involved in youth ministry

(8-11 am at San Lorenzo)

NOV. 5-6 - AHFI Mission Workshop

at Two Hearts Center of Spiritual Formation, Dover, DE

NOV. 11-13 - Youth Ministers' Conference, Chicago

St. John's Matthew 25 City Project - SJAYO

NOV. 18-20 - One-on-One Retreat sponsored by SMYG

at Triple "R" Ranch (Leave by 7 pm Friday from St. Matthew's. 

Submit $65 to Ms. Tes if you plan on going)

NOV. 26 - YOUNG FIRE MASS  at 7:30 pm 

DEC. 9-11 - "RUNNING WITH JESUS" Retreat facilitated by YOA Catholic High

JAN. 14 - (Saturday) OCYO Sponsored One Day Retreat

JAN. 20 - Praize Jam

JAN. 28- YOUNG FIRE MASS  at 7:30 pm

JUL. 22 - Praize Jam