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Gospel Reading for November 02, 2026 – John 6: 37-40

POWERFUL REMINDER

The Commemoration of All the

Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

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Although the word Purgatory is not found in the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1030, explains it this way: “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.”

Article No. 1031 describes Purgatory as the final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned in Hell.

Revelation 21: 27 teaches us that nothing unclean can enter the presence of God in Heaven. Therefore, Purgatory is the final purification of the soul, preparing it to enter into the fullness of God’s presence.

Because of the Communion of Saints, which we profess in the Creed, the living and the departed remain united as one spiritual family in Christ. This is why we pray for our departed loved ones. As 2 Maccabees 12:46 states: “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.”

When we pray the Rosary, we also include the Fatima Prayer after every decade: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need of Thy mercy.”

In saying this prayer, we are also praying for our own forgiveness and salvation, telling God, that what we desire for our dearly beloved, is also what we desire for ourselves.

It is indeed such an act of Love to pray for our family members, friends, and acquaintances even after they have departed from this world. We continue to desire for them to experience the fullness of God’s presence in Heaven forever. When we pray for our departed loved ones, we are saying, “You are never forgotten; our love for you continues to this very day.”

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed is a POWERFUL REMINDER that the Church is one big family of God, consisting of three groups: those who are undergoing purification in preparation for the fullness of life with God; those who are still living on earth and striving to follow Jesus to attain eternal life; and those who are already with God in eternity.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.