Esteemed brothers and sisters in Christ,

Padre Pio once reported to Padre Anastasio di Roio: "One night I was alone in the choir and saw a friar cleaning the altar late at night. I asked him to go to bed since it was so late. He said: 'I'm a friar like you. I did my novitiate here, and when assigned to take care of the Altar, I passed by the Tabernacle many times without making the proper reverence. For this sin, I am in Purgatory, and the Lord sent me to you. You decide how much longer I have to suffer in those flames.' I told him, I will pray for you at Mass in the morning.' He said, 'Cruel,' and disappeared. I still have a wound in my heart. I could have sent him immediately to Paradise; instead, he had to stay one more night in the flames of Purgatory" (Following Padre Pio, 2025).

This was just one of many instances where souls from purgatory sought Padre Pio's intercession. These poor souls would directly request that he offer a Mass on their behalf, underscoring the profound spiritual significance of a Mass and its ability to reduce the time they spend in purgatory before entering the glory of heaven.

On November 2 each year, the Church commemorates all the faithful departed. This day is dedicated to prayers for the souls in Purgatory. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom references the suffering endured in Purgatory when it states, "The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and no torment shall touch them... For if before men, indeed they are punished, yet their hope is full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed" (Wisdom 3:1-9). The "souls of the just" refers to those who, as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "all who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; yet after death, they undergo purification to attain the holiness necessary to enter the joys of heaven" (CCC 1030-1031). This process of purification involves chastisement or suffering. The Church refers to this final purification of the elect as purgatory, which is distinctly different from the punishment of the damned.

The term "purgatory" is derived from two Latin roots: "purgare," meaning to purify or cleanse, and "agere," meaning to do or to make. Consequently, purgatory is understood as a theological concept representing a state or location for the purification of souls prior to their admission into heaven.

The existence of such a state is implicitly present in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Maccabees 12:38-46. This passage describes Judas Maccabeus collecting funds and sending them to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering for those who died in sin, believing they might be liberated from their transgressions. The text commends Judas's action as a "holy and pious act" and states that he made atonement for the dead in hopes of delivering them from their temporal punishment.

Souls in Purgatory cannot offer prayers for their own expiation as we do; rather, they rely on us to assist them in their purification through our prayers. This is why we celebrate Mass for all souls in Purgatory today. They depend on our intercessions to alleviate their sufferings and expedite their journey to heaven. Our prayers can shorten their time in purification, allowing them to enter heaven more swiftly. Therefore, throughout this month of November, let us not neglect this sacred responsibility. Let us empathize with their suffering and share in their pain, inspiring us to pray for them. We should remember that the path to heaven through Purgatory is likely to be our own, as the traditional reflection on mortality, "memento mori," poignantly reminds us: "What you are is what I once was; what I am is what you shall be."

Each of us may have likely experienced the loss of a loved one-be it a parent, grandparent, sibling, relative, or friend. We should not forget them but rather uplift them through our prayers and sacrifices. We can offer prayers for their souls by requesting Mass intentions, praying the Rosary, fasting, and performing acts of charity, as charity covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). A long-standing Catholic belief holds that "If you deliver a soul from Purgatory, you have gained a friend who will always remember you. Even after your death, that soul will continue to pray for you until you reach Heaven." How I wish we would all aspire to cultivate such a friendship!

O merciful God, we ask you to remember our brothers and sisters who have passed away in the peace of Christ. Grant them the joy of your presence and the fullness of life in the resurrection. When our own journey is complete, may we also dwell with you forever among the saints. Amen.

In God's Service and yours,

Fr. Thomas Kagumisa

BACK TO LIST