Archbishop’s November Intention: For Our Deceased Brothers and Sisters and the Souls in Purgatory

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic)

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26

Jesus’ question to Martha is personal. But it is not simply addressed to Martha; it is addressed to us. Do we believe this? Do we trust that Christ truly has power over death, and that our loved ones live in him?

For the times when we fail in that trust in God, and for all of our imperfections that need purification, God has given us the “cleansing fire” of Purgatory as a “final purification” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1031). The Catechism teaches:

“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 the joy of Heaven.” CCC 1030

But they are not alone in this purification. The Church calls us to act in love for our deceased brothers and sisters — a love that does not end at death. The Catechism continues:

“The Church also commends almsgiving, 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.” CCC 1032

Our prayers, sacrifices and acts of charity truly bring consolation and grace to the souls being purified in purgatory. Belief in Christ’s Resurrection and a genuine love for neighbor lead us to accompany them with mercy.

During this Jubilee of Hope, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila invites us to unite as one Church — militant here on Earth, suffering in Purgatory and Triumphant in Heaven — praying for our deceased brothers and sisters and for the souls in purgatory, especially those who have no one to pray for them. This holy year is a time of grace, healing and renewed hope.

Additionally, the Church offers us a beautiful practice in this month of November: An indulgence, applicable only to the souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. This indulgence is plenary each day from November 1 to 8 and partial on all other days of the month. The normal conditions for indulgences apply.

This simple act of faith — a visit, a prayer, a remembrance of love — becomes a powerful means of grace for our brothers and sisters who await the fullness of God’s presence. What a gift of hope this Jubilee Year offers us: to love beyond death and to help our loved ones draw closer to Heaven.

Archbishop Aquila especially encourages each member of the faithful to pray the Rosary. In every Hail Mary, we say: “Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.”

Let us entrust ourselves and our loved ones to the tender care of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May our prayer be a bridge of love, a source of comfort and a beacon of hope.

Christ lives. And in him, those who die live forever.