November is dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
"Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them."
~ St. John Chrysostom
What is Purgatory?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "All who die in God’s grace, 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 (CCC 1030).
Purgatory is a state of being which will fully cleanse or purify us to make us ready to enter heaven and be in God's presence. As nothing unclean can enter heaven (Rev 21:27).
How do we know Purgatory exists?
Much of our Catholic faith is based in our Jewish ancestors. In II Maccabees when some men were found dead with foreign amulets on them, Judas and his companions immediately begin praying and collecting funds to send to Jerusalem for a sin oblation. Their efforts are in atonement for the sins committed by the dead men, that the sins might be wholly blotted out and the souls may clean. This lays historical grounds for the belief that prayer for the dead is efficacious to relieve them of their burden of sin.
Later on in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus states, "And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (12:32). The idea of forgiveness being forgiven "in the age to come" implies a state of Purgatory or cleansing prior to entering into heaven.
For more details, check out this great explanation from Catholic Answers.
Ways to pray for the Holy Souls:
Think of a task you do everyday (like brush your teeth), say a prayer for the Holy Souls every time you do that this month
Visit a cemetery and pray for the dead collectively or by name on the gravestone
This gains a plenary indulgence to be gifted to the souls in purgatory (More details here)
Make this prayer the background on your phone/tablet/computer and pray it every time you see it
Prayer for the faithful departed:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.