The animated 2017 movie Coco features the celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day to the Dead). The movie reminds me of the Catholic feast of All Souls Day, which is celebrated annually on 2nd November. The central theme of the movie was remembering family members that have died, as this is crucial, because when we forget them, they suffer too much. The Catholic feast of All Souls Day not only helps us to remember those who have died but also obliges us to pray for their souls. Praying for the souls in purgatory benefits them more than we can understand and realise.

Our prayer for the souls in purgatory is like an ointment that soothes their pain. It eases them of their sufferings and shortens their time in purgatory. However, if we forget to pray for them, then their suffering continues until their suffering fulfils the expiation of all their sins. The prayers we can offer for them are the offering of Masses, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, The Fatima Prayer, Eternal Rest Prayer, and any form of fasting and praying that is beneficial for their soul. One can also offer their partial, or plenary indulges for the souls in purgatory.

As we sow so we shall reap. If we pray for the souls in purgatory, when they are released from purgatory, they will not stop praying for us until we get to Heaven. “He who saves a soul saves his own and satisfies for a multitude of sins.” – St. James the Apostle

“If, during life, we have been kind to the suffering souls in purgatory, God will see that help be not denied us after death.” – St. Paul of the Cross

The suffering of the souls in purgatory is intense and unimaginable as described by some saints.

“I come to tell you that they suffer in purgatory, that they weep, and that they demand with urgent cries the help of your prayers and your good works. I seem to hear them crying from the depths of those fires which devour them: ‘Tell our loved ones, tell our children, tell all our relatives how great the evils are which they are making us suffer. We throw ourselves at their feet to implore the help of their prayers. Ah! Tell them that since we have been separated from them, we have been here burning in the flames!’” – St. John Vianney

“It is definite that only a few chosen ones do not go to purgatory and the sufferings there that one must endure exceed our imagination.” – St. John Vianney

“The fire of purgatory is the same as the fire of Hell; the difference between them is that the fire of purgatory is not everlasting.” – St. John Vianney

“If it were but known how great is the power of the good souls in purgatory with the Heart of God, and if we knew all the graces we can obtain through their intercession, they would not be so much forgotten. We must, therefore, pray much for them, that they may pray much for us.” – St. John Vianney

“Each one will be presented to the Judge exactly as he was when he departed this life. Yet there must be a cleansing fire before judgement because of some minor faults that may remain to be purged away.” – Pope St. Gregory the Great

“With Charity towards the dead we practice all the works of charity. The Church encourages us to aid the souls in purgatory, who in turn will reward us abundantly when they come into their glory.” – St. Francis de Sales

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