While most of the world is busy gearing up for Halloween at the end of this month, Catholics also await a different series of special days. With All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Cemetery Sunday celebrated within the first few days of November, many Catholics may be asking the question:
Why do we pray for our dead?

Just like anything surrounding death, there’s only so much we can answer here on Earth. However, while we may not know exactly what the after-life may bring, we do know that prayer is powerful. It connects us to God and, by extension, those who have parted from this earth. Praying for our loved ones is an effort we can take to maintain our relationship with them. It is also an outward expression of our Catholic faith in that we proudly proclaim our belief in life after death.

I’d like to encourage everyone reading this message to take a moment to pray for your dearly departed loved ones. May they all rest in God’s everlasting care.

God bless, 

Andrej Lah – Director, Catholic Cemeteries Association

October 2019

You can read more about All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Cemetery Sunday by clicking here.