All Soul’s Day, celebrated on November 2, is a solemn feast day in the Roman Catholic Church commemorating all those who have died and, while assured of their eternal salvation, are now in Purgatory undergoing purification so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
Those of us still on this earth can help the deceased members of our families and friends who are in this process of purification by praying for them.
The Catechism of the Church says in section 1032: “From the beginning the Church has honoured the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.
The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.” Our prayer is capable of not only helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.