The Catholic Church firmly believes that “the ties of love which knit us together as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death.” We call this spiritual bond “the communion of saints.” This communion includes those who are pilgrims on earth (living), the dead who are being purified (souls), and the blessed in heaven (Saints). On November 1, we celebrate the memory of all the saints in heaven. And the next day, November 2, we offer prayers to God for all the faithful departer. Why do catholic do that?
“[The noble Judas] then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.” (2 Maccabees 12:43-46).
As for the purgatory, here is an insightful quote by C. S. Lewis, “Of course I pray for the dead. At our age the majority of those we love best are dead. What sort of intercourse with God could I have if what I love best were unmentionable to Him? I believe in purgatory. Our souls demand purgatory, don’t they? My favorite image on this matter comes from the dentist’s chair. I hope that when the tooth of life is drawn, a voice will say, ‘Rinse your mouth out with this.’ This will be purgatory.” (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, 107-109)
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