Catholics are commemorating those who have died and remain in Purgatory during November, the month of the dead. 

“This All Souls’ Day, as we remember the faithful departed, let us renew our commitment to loving God and loving one another. And let us, once again, set the goal of our life on going to heaven,” Archbishop Jose Gomez posted on Twitter. Gomez is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). 

The Church teaches that during November Catholics must pray for those who have departed this life but have not yet entered Eternal Life, Catholic Culture explains. In the Old Testament, alms and prayers were offered for the dead, it continues. The Liturgical Meditations from the Sisters of St. Dominic says, "They who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them" and "it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” 

Jesus opened the gates of Heaven to believers through his death and resurrection, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, according to the USCCB. Paragraph 1030 reads, “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.” The place of purification the Church calls “Purgatory.” The teachings on Purgatory are based on Scripture. From paragraph 1032, “the Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences and works of penance on behalf of the dead.” 

Nov. 2 is All Souls Day, where Catholics commemorate and pray for the faithful dead. The practice began with St. Odilo of Cluny in the 10th century and has continued until today, the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) says. Burying the dead is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy.

“The bodies of the dead are not discarded vessels, but integral parts of a human being that will be reunited on the last day,” Clare Coffey says in an NCR article. “The separation is temporary, and they are still worthy of our respect and our love.” 

A common prayer Catholics say for those loved ones who have died is: “Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him/her. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen” according to My Catholic Prayers. 

The Diocese of Pittsburgh marked All Souls Day on Twitter. “On All Souls Day, we remember the souls of those who have gone before us and pray that they may enjoy eternal life with God in Heaven. Today, say a prayer for all your loved ones who have passed away,” its tweet said.