This feast day is one of the most loving celebrations in all the Church's liturgy. It is the day that we especially remember all the faithful departed—our dear ones and all those who have passed from this life into the next.

We don't know how long a particular individual who dies spends in purgatory. However, we do know that purgatory is real. Today we stop to remember all who have died. We especially pray for those who were related to us. We pray for those who taught us good things. We pray for those who made sacrifices for us. We pray for those who prayed for us while they were on this earth. We pray for the most forgotten souls. We pray for those who had great responsibilities while here on earth.

We think of those holy souls in purgatory and we realize that they are saved. Now they wait until the moment when they can be united to God and see him face to face.

We can pray for the souls in purgatory so that their journey to God will be hastened.  Eternal rest, grant to them, 0 Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. Let us ask the Blessed Mother to accompany these souls to God's heavenly throne.