With All Saints and All Souls days coming up, I thought it might be good to refresh us on the connection and the importance of prayers for all souls. First, “Saints” are the souls already in Heaven. So, this day is a celebration of thankfulness for their witness and their intercessory prayers on our behalf. All Souls day is of a completely different nature. On this day in particular, we offer our prayers on behalf of the souls in Purgatory. So, who is in Purgatory? The departed faithful whose souls are not yet perfected. They will eventually get to Heaven, but they are not there yet. The Church has always taught that they are aided by our prayers. That is why they are mentioned in every Eucharistic prayer during Mass. These souls are not in Hell, but they are suffering. It is the intense suffering of love’s separation, a longing to be united with God and others. The visions of the flames of Purgatory are artistic depictions of the burning desire of loves absence experienced by these souls. Here is a good place to give clear understanding to Mass intentions offered for the deceased. The Mass intention is not a memorial for the deceased, offered in their memory. The intention is specifically for the benefit of their soul’s sanctification if they are still in Purgatory. We certainly hope they have already arrived in Heaven, but it is difficult for us to know. The teaching of the Church on this is that they are not able to pray for their self. Perhaps this is because sanctification require the radical cleansing of all selfishness. Visions of the saints have revealed that they long for our prayers. Through them they experience sanctifying love. So, if your loved one has passed on to Heaven, is your prayer wasted? Not at all. It is applied to the rest of the souls in Purgatory and either way it helps you with your own sanctification. Whether your loved one is in Purgatory or Heaven, guess who they are praying for! You can be certain of it! So, return the favor! Yours in Christ our Lord, Fr. Sid.