The millennia-old wisdom of Holy Mother Church
arranges certain feasts of the liturgical calendar
to help us understand more deeply…and celebrate more fully…
the mysteries of our faith.
The feasts of All Saints and All Souls are celebrated on successive days…
and together these celebrations lift our minds and souls
to contemplate the mystery of the Communion of Saints.
Yesterday we rejoiced in the men and women of every time and place
who stand as living examples of the faith and life to which God calls us
and who intercede on our behalf before the throne of God.
Today we discover the active role which we have to play in the family of faith…
in the great brotherhood of prayer and mutual spiritual support…
which we call the Communion of Saints.
In our earthly journey of faith…
none of us is perfect…and sin touches us all.
We give thanks to God that, in the Sacrament of Penance, Jesus forgives our sins.
Even though one’s sins have been forgiven by Jesus…
through the sacramental ministry of the Church…
there remains the residue which our sins leave behind.
We know from our human experiences that…
even sometimes when we forgive one another for wrongdoings…
physical injury, emotional scars, and the negative effects of sin remain.
So it is in the spiritual life.
Even though our sins be forgiven…
even though we have done our penance in order to make up for sins…
the punishment due to sin is not entirely satisfied.
There is need for souls who have died in God’s favor…
but who are entirely perfected…
to endure purification and purifying suffering.
This we call purgatory…from the word “purgation”…which means a cleansing.
Souls are cleansed and thus achieve the holiness necessary…
to enter the joy of heaven
and join the saints around the throne of God.
For our part, we must pray for these…the “poor souls”…in purgatory.
This is why we offer Masses for the dead…
offer sacrifices, and penances, and prayers at their tombs …
that the souls of those who have gone before us
may reach the glory of Heaven.
This prayer and sacrifice for the dead is a great act of charity.
It is a valuable and essential part of our spiritual life…
and a work of charity which we ought to embrace with great love.
In the Communion of Saints, the three states of the Church are united…
we are blessed by the favor of the prayer of the saints: the Church Triumphant
and we – the Church Militant – offer our own prayers
for the poor souls in purgatory – the Church Suffering.
What an extraordinary fountain of grace this family of faith is for the whole Church!
Today let us commend the souls of our deceased loved ones…and all the dead…
into the merciful arms of the Lord…
and commit ourselves to praying and sacrificing for their sake…
that together with them we may join in adoration
around the throne of God!
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