My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Did you know that praying for the dead has been a pious practice since long before the Catholic Church began?

 More than a century before Jesus was born, Scripture records the story of Judas Maccabeus. This Jewish priest urged his soldiers to pray for their fallen comrades who had violated the law. The men asked God to blot out the offense of these dead. In further atonement, Judas gathered a sin offering and sent it to Jerusalem, indicating how confidently he believed in a resurrection of the dead. (2 Maccabees 12:38-46)

What prayers must have been in Mary’s heart as she clung to the dead body of her only Son? Did she beg God to restore Jesus to life in her loving arms? Did she ask the Father to receive him back into the heavenly realm from which he was sent? We do not know.

What we do know is that praying for relatives and friends who have gone before us is an expression of our own confident hope in the eternal reward that awaits God’s people of faith.

On Sunday, November 2, Catholics worldwide will observe All Souls Day.

I invite you to include your deceased loved ones in the special intercessory prayers we will offer during our feast day Mass at 11:00 a.m., CT, celebrated at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Remember the names of those you would like us to lift up in prayer on All Souls Day. Their names will remain at the foot of Mary’s Shrine Altar and be commended to Jesus in the daily Mass and prayers at Our Lady’s Shrine throughout the month of November, as well as during the anniversary month of their passing.

Your prayers are a gift of priceless spiritual value. If your loved one is already in heaven, Our Lady will see to it that your prayers benefit another soul along the way.

You may also request a Votive Light to burn for your departed loved ones.

Do you have other special intentions? Feel free to send those as well.

Any offering you include will help the Association of the Miraculous Medal bring more souls to Jesus through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother. Your gift will also support the apostolic mission and charitable works of our Vincentian community.

May God continue to bless your efforts to serve him, and may he draw all of us ever closer to himself.

In Jesus’ everlasting love and mercy,

P.S. May God’s grace and mercy be with those who have gone before us. I, along with fellow Vincentian priests and brothers, will remember your deceased loved ones in prayer on All Souls Day and throughout the month of November.