November 2nd is All Souls’ Day.
All Souls’ Day
This observances began in a monastery in the sixth century; by the tenth century, it had spread to other dioceses. The date selected to celebrate All Souls’ Day on November 2nd was established by Saint Odilo of Cluny,
France in 998 A.D. By the 13th century this standardized date was adopted by Rome.
What The Bible Says About Purgatory
Purgatory is a theological concept. If you attend Mass you are familiar with the prayers of the faithful. We offer Masses for individuals who have departed. Personally, I have offered Masses for those who have passed. It is also important to continue to pray for the repose of their souls. Taking this practice to heart, my prayers continue for those for whom I am interceding for until the Lord releases me.
“Oh you Catholics and your beliefs, show me where Purgatory is in the Bible.” Since the word Purgatory does not appear in the Scriptures, this concept is not easily understood.
Purgatory is a place of final purification. This process is painful and may involve discomfort. We on earth can assist those going through this final testing.
Jesus Paid The Price
Understanding that our Lord Jesus Christ paid the price in life, death and resurrection is crucial. But we, by nature, are sinners and, even if we are in the state of grace, our temporal sins hover over our spirits. The process of God extending His grace to those who are in the state of grace has attachments. Anger, sin and the lack of charity are all temporal acts for which we will suffer consequences. We cannot be so arrogant as to believe that we are going directly to heaven without first being purified.
A few years ago a sweet family moved into our neighborhood. Both parents were on the police force, so this made my heart glad and I felt safer. At the time this couple had two sons but when they settled into their newly remodeled home, strange things started to happen.
Old Neighbors
We have been in our home for almost 40 years; we are the second owners. In our neighbors’ home this family had a grandmother living with them. Later their grandmother drowned in the family’s backyard pool.
Then this family sold their home to a couple with a young son. This couple was eccentric and many of the neighbors had reservations about them because they were doing all this work around their home yet it showed no improvement. They occupied the home for 15 years until this new family moved in.
The Unsettled Spirit
When this new couple moved in, they remodeled the entire home. They made their home like new. Imagine all the finances they had invested only to find out that something was not right. The boys shared a room together and many times they would wake up screaming in fear. The ceiling fans ran wildly at high speed in several rooms of the home. The couple reached out to our neighbor, so when she shared their story I gave them holy water from Lourdes. That spirit did not leave until Father Leonard Mary prayed over their home.
The Prayer
Father Leonard asked me if I wanted to go upstairs to pray, but we all know the answer to that: “No, thank you.” As Father Leonard and the owner of the home went upstairs, he said that there was something definitely there. Father Leonard felt that the grandmother’s spirit was in Purgatory and she needed prayers to be released into heaven. Since the prayers this family now lives in peace.
12 Now if anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, and precious stones, or with wood, hay, and straw, 13 the work of each person will come to light. For the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the worth of each person’s work 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will be rewarded. 15 If it burns down, that person will suffer loss. The person will be saved, though only by passing through fire.
Visiting Our Loved Ones
So the next time you pass a cemetery, pray for the souls who have no one to pray for them. Mike and I are planning to visit the gravesites of both of his parents and also my brother Robert. We will pray for the repose of their souls and leave flowers.
Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
My Prayer
Dear Jesus, We will never forget those who have departed. Lord, open heaven’s gates to receive these souls. Lord, purify us and prepare us for our homecoming. Amen.
