Fr. Simon explains why praying for our loved ones who’ve passed on is 100% biblical, right back to Jesus and the early Christians! With November coming up (the month we dedicate to the Holy Souls), now’s the perfect time to perform this powerful act of love. And guess what? Relevant Radio’s Holy Souls Novena is just around the corner, from November 2-10. You can submit your loved ones’ names, and we’ll be praying for them at Mass, during the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and with the Family Rosary.

Why Do We Pray for the Dead?

According to Fr. Simon, praying for souls in purgatory is about helping them get all the way to God’s love. He sees purgatory as more than some “pit of fire.” It’s really about stepping fully into God’s presence, letting His love burn away anything that’s not love. Think of it as a cleansing process!

📖 Where the Bible Hints at Purgatory

Fr. Simon brings up some intriguing Bible moments that point toward purgatory:

Forgiveness in “the age to come” hints at the possibility of being forgiven even after this life.

Jesus’ words on “making peace” so we don’t get stuck with debts we can’t pay off. This connects with the idea of praying for those who might still need a little help on their journey to God.

Even C.S. Lewis (not a Catholic!) saw purgatory as God’s love working through us, purifying and preparing us. Pretty spot on!

💔 Praying for the Dead: A Labor of Love

When we pray for the dead, we’re standing by them with love and support. Fr. Simon shares stories of people who, after near-death experiences, describe feeling the prayers of others reaching them. So, our prayers do reach those in the spiritual realm, touching them in a way we can’t fully see but know is real.

Here’s a comforting thought: even if a soul doesn’t “need” our prayers, God makes sure no prayer is wasted. Praying for the dead is a deep act of love, one of those things Christians have been doing since the beginning.

🎃 How to Make November a Catholic Celebration

Fr. Simon encourages us to turn November into a spiritual powerhouse:

Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve): Honor the saints and remember we’re all on a journey toward God.

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day: Celebrate the saints and pray for those still on their way.

Fr. Simon says souls in purgatory are “starving” for prayers because so few people think to pray for the departed these days. Let’s make November count and bring the holy souls a bit closer to Heaven.

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