November is the month for the remembrance of the souls of the deceased. The Octave of all Saints is celebrated from 1st November to 8th November. During these 8 days, one can gain a plenary indulgence, each day, for the souls in purgatory. The Vatican has decided to grant a plenary indulgence to Catholics who visit a cemetery to pray for the dead on any day in the month of November 2021. This year, we specially remember and pray for all the souls who have died during this pandemic.

The church greatly emphasizes on life after death because, death as we know, is not the end, but the beginning of our eternal life. The church also remembers and fervently prays for the souls of the deceased, especially, during the month of November. When it comes to life after death, most of us are uncertain and have a vague understanding. Some do not want to be concerned about what lies beyond this life, with the concept, that they will cross the bridge when they get there. Others find the topic very disturbing and do not want to deal with whatever lies beyond this life. The saints, on the other hand, lived their lives as if they were already dead. It helped them to be ever ready and be prepared to enter eternity.

Most people think that death is the end of suffering. However, for most people, death is the beginning of suffering. An eternity of suffering in hell, or a suffering until all our sins are expiated in purgatory. Most people go to hell, very few go to heaven directly, while others are detained in purgatory, to make atonement and attain purification, before entering heaven.

Most people think that it is God who decides if we go to heaven, to purgatory, or to hell. The truth is that God has given us the freedom to choose where we would like to go, and based on our choice, He makes His judgement. Hell is a choice for those who reject Jesus Christ, those who live in unrepentant mortal sin. Purgatory is a choice for those who have repented of every mortal sin, however, they have not expiated their sins while on earth, and therefore, go through purgatory, to make atonement and purify themselves before they can attain the beatific vision of God. Heaven is for those who have repented of every mortal and venial sin and have made atonement for every wrongdoing while on earth and have total detachment from this world. These are the saints who, from the moment of their death, are in the presence of God, for all eternity.

Souls who have died, in the friendship of God, go through Purgatory for expiation of their sins. St Thomas Aquinas, one of the doctors of the Church, states that the punishment one faces in purgatory are the same as those in hell. The only difference is that the punishment in hell is eternal, but the punishment in purgatory is temporary. He also states that the least pain in purgatory is greater than the greatest suffering here on earth. St Cyril of Alexandria said, “It is preferable to suffer all the possible torments on earth, until Judgment Day than to pass one day in purgatory.” St Augustine of Hippo, another doctor of the Church, states, “This fire of Purgatory will be more severe than any pain, that can be felt, seen or conceived in this world.” Therefore, the Church prays for the souls in purgatory to ease their suffering, which is so excruciating and painful. Our prayers can make atonement on their behalf. It can release them from purgatory.

Why do people leave their indebtedness for the afterlife, even though it is easier to expiate for our sins, here on earth? Most people are ignorant, they do not have the knowledge and the understanding of life after death, about Heaven, Purgatory, and hell, and in their ignorance, they perish. Others consider ignorance a bliss, but that is not true in this case. It’s a painful reality. Majority of the people fall into the trap of satan, who deceives them with his slogan, ‘Sin now and pay later’. Some people believe that they just cease to exist once they die. Others are too presumptuous and assume they are destined to heaven, while living in unrepentant mortal sin. Others say that God is all merciful and on judgment day, He will show them mercy. What they fail to realize is that, now is the time of mercy and grace, after death it’s only time for judgement. Satan entices others into believing that there is no purgatory or hell.

Scientists and researchers have proven that there are other planets in our solar system, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter for instance. One may choose not to believe that these planets exists with the mere theory that one has not seen them, therefore, one does not believe. However, these planets don’t cease to exist because one does not believe. Likewise, the church’s doctrine and the doctors of the church speak about Heaven, Purgatory, and hell. Just because people have not seen it and choose not to believe does not make Heaven, Purgatory, and hell cease from existence.

Every sin is an offense against God and carries with it punishment that must be paid. When we confess our sin in the sacrament of confession, our sins are forgiven and our eternal punishment, which leads us to hell, is expiated. However, the temporal punishment of sin remains, which can be expiated here on earth, through penance or after death, in purgatory. Expiation of sin on earth is meritorious, plus we have the grace and mercy of God to accomplish that which is humanly impossibly to accomplish. In purgatory, the suffering is not meritorious. Therefore, the severity of the punishment is exceedingly greater and must be atoned for.

The Catechism of The Catholic Church, explains it as follows:

Sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand, every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain. (CCC 1472).

The church is the mystical body of Christ, with Jesus Christ as the head, and through the virtue of our baptism, we are united into this mystical body of Christ. This mystical body consists of the saints in Heaven, the souls in Purgatory, and the believers on earth. We, on earth, can expiate for the sins of the souls in purgatory. Our prayers and penances can atone for their sins. Therefore, it becomes our obligation to pray and intercede and atone for the sins of those in purgatory. The saints in heaven cannot atone for the sins of those in purgatory because atonement can be made only through suffering. There is no suffering in heaven. It is the privilege of those on earth to partake in this charitable deed.

The doctrine of purgatory is not new but rather very ancient. In the book of Maccabees, prayers were offered by the Jews for the souls of the dead, “it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin” (2 Maccabees 12:43-46). The word purgatory is not in the bible. However, Jesus explains the concept of purgatory in Luke 12:56-57 stating that we shall be detained in that place until all our sins are expiated. “I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny” (Luke 12:59). Jesus indicates that purgatory is a prison. We know that heaven is not a prison, however, hell certainly is a prison. We also know that no one can get out of hell. Therefore, Jesus, in Luke, is mentioning about purgatory, a temporary state of purification, as one is released when their sins are expiated and paid for.

My beloved protestant sisters and brothers will argue that Jesus paid for all our sins on the cross. Yes, Jesus paid for our eternal punishment, however, He wants us to be partakers in His suffering, so that we may pay for our temporal punishment and may share in His glory. Scripture testified of this so that you may understand and believe. “But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13, NRSV). Also, the apostle Paul suffered, and this is what he said, “I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24). What is possibly lacking, my sisters and brothers, in Christ’s suffering, if Jesus paid it all? It is our suffering. We are the body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the head, and we are the members. If the head suffers, the entire body suffers. “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27).

The souls in purgatory are our members. How can we possibly ignore their pain? How can we possible forget them? The church reminds us, this month, so that we do not forget them. She reminds us to intercede for all the souls who have gone before us. We shall pass that way one day. If we show them mercy, we will receive mercy, when we too need to pass through the same fire. Mercy shown to the deceased is never forgotten and is repaid, a thousand time over. Certainly, God will show great mercy on us for our deeds of charity to those most in need. When we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive the anointing to set the captives free. The souls in purgatory are captives, and through our prayers, penances, and mortifications, we can set them free.

There are numerous ways of atoning for the sins of the souls of the deceased: The holy sacrifice of the mass releases souls from purgatory. Praying the rosary and divine mercy chaplet. You can gain partial or plenary indulgences and offer them for the souls in purgatory. Praying the Way of The Cross. You can also offer your daily suffering for the souls in purgatory. Even a small ordinary task can be offered for the souls in purgatory. Almsgiving, Adoration and Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament, Psalm 130 is a penitential psalm which can be offered as a prayer for the souls in purgatory. We can offer God short fervent prayers throughout the day, in remembrance for the poor souls in purgatory. Some short prayers, several times a day, can gain indulgences for the souls in purgatory. These short prayers can be recited as follows:

Jesus.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph.

My Lord and my God.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you.

Sacred Heart of Mary, I place my trust in you.

Queen of the most Holy Rosary, pray for us.

We adore You O Christ and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

The Hail Mary prayer

The Memorare prayer

The Hail, Holy Queen Prayer.

The Eternal Rest prayer.

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