LITURGY MATTERS: The Holy Souls: Companions on the Journey

By Michael McKenna, Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies

A Hebrew word for ‘commandment’ a mitzvah (מִצְוָה) in Jewish tradition is a divine commandment given by God to the Jewish people. There are 613 mitzvot (pl) ‘commandments’ found in the Torah. Reflecting the ethical and moral dimension of Jewish life, “doing a mitzvah” is now popularly understood as doing something kind or helpful like visiting the sick, giving charity, or helping someone in need.

Remembering the dead by visiting a cemetery is one such mitzvah. Placing a small stone or pebble (visitation stone) on a grave or headstone to mark your visit is a meaningful and ancient Jewish custom by which one might witness to their mitzvah. Unlike flowers, which wither and fade, the stones by their nature and substance symbolise both the permanence of memory, and witness to the lasting impact of the deceased on the lives of the living.

This beautiful Jewish tradition resonates deeply with our own Catholic understanding that death does not end our spiritual communion, and that as a Spiritual Work of Mercy we are called to assist the dead through remembrance, prayer and sacrifice.

In this month of the Holy Souls (November), the Church provides opportunity for Catholics around the world to focus our prayers and our sacrifices on the needs of the faithful departed in Purgatory known to us as the Church Suffering—one of the three states of the Church that form the Communion of Saints, united in love and prayer across life, death, and eternity.

During November, we are especially encouraged to:

• Visit cemeteries and pray for the dead.
• Offer Masses for the Souls in Purgatory.
• By fulfilling the Church’s conditions gain indulgences for the dead.
• Offer the Rosary for the Holy Souls and seek Our Lady’s intercession for them.
• Perform acts of charity and sacrifice in their name.

St Josemaría Escrivá often referred to the souls in Purgatory as “my good friends.” In his spiritual writings, the Saint persistently encouraged the faithful to remember the Holy Souls in our sacrifices and in our prayers, not only out of charity and justice, but also out of what he called “excusable selfishness,” noting that these souls, once in Heaven, become powerful intercessors for us.

Entirely dependent on God’s divine mercy and purified by His grace alone, while the Holy Souls can no longer pray for themselves, as members of the Body of Christ they continue to pray for us. As a source of spiritual strength and mutual help, the Holy Souls are cherished companions on our spiritual journey. May we, like Escrivá, come to know the Holy Souls as “good friends”, and may our prayers hasten their joy in the presence of God.