Honoring the Holy Souls in Purgatory: A Guide for Catholic Families

November is a special time in the Catholic Church dedicated to praying for the souls of the faithful departed. It’s an invitation for families to honor the Holy Souls in Purgatory and unite in prayer, reflection, and small acts of love. This month offers a beautiful opportunity to teach our children about the importance of remembering the dead and practicing our faith in a tangible way. Here are some meaningful ways to honor the Holy Souls as a family this month:

1. Create a Family Altar for the Holy Souls

A prayer altar serves as a visual reminder to keep the Holy Souls close to our hearts and to keep them continually in our prayers. This sacred space can be as simple as a corner table decorated with family photos, a crucifix, and candles. Here are a few items to consider adding to your family altar:

- Photos of deceased loved ones to remember them in prayer.

- A candle as a symbol of Christ’s light guiding them to eternal peace.

- Rosaries or holy water to remind everyone of the importance of prayer and sacramentals.

- An icon or statue of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death to ask for his intercession.

Every day or week, gather as a family by the altar to say a prayer for the Holy Souls, making it part of your evening or morning routine.

2. Pray the Eternal Rest Prayer Together

The “Eternal Rest” prayer is a powerful prayer the whole family can say together daily in November. It’s simple enough for even young children to learn:

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.

Encourage your children to say this prayer as part of their morning or evening prayers. You can also include it in family prayers at the dinner table or during a moment of quiet before bed. The best way to teach our children how to pray is to model it ourselves!

3. Visit a Cemetery as a Family

One of the most profound acts of mercy in the Catholic tradition is visiting the graves of loved ones or other souls in a cemetery and offering prayers for them. This practice is particularly meaningful during the first eight days of November, known as the Octave of All Saints, when a plenary indulgence can be earned (under certain conditions) for the Holy Souls.

Here are some ideas for making a cemetery visit meaningful for kids:

- Bring flowers to place on the graves.

- Say prayers aloud as a family, like the Eternal Rest prayer or a decade of the Rosary.

- Explain why we pray for the dead so that children understand they are doing a spiritual work of mercy.

Bonus idea: encourage each child to pick a grave of someone who seems forgotten and say a special prayer for them.

4. Light a Candle for the Holy Souls Each Evening

Lighting a candle in the evening can be a beautiful way to close the day with a prayer for the Holy Souls. Explain to your children that the candle represents the light of Christ and our hope that these souls are on their way to Heaven. As you light it, say a short prayer, such as:

“Lord, may this candle be a reminder of the light of Christ and the souls who are on their way to eternal joy. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them home to You.”

This ritual can also serve as a gentle reminder to keep the Holy Souls in mind before laying your head down each night.

Make your lit candles more festive with our Saint Candle Covers!

5. Do Good Deeds and Offer Small Sacrifices

This month, encourage your children to offer small sacrifices or acts of kindness for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Explain that these small “gifts” of love can help them on their journey thru purgatory and into heaven. Here are some simple ways to get started:

- Sacrifice a treat or a favorite activity for a day.

- Help a neighbor or someone in need and offer the act for the Holy Souls.

- Do extra chores without complaint, saying, “Jesus, I do this for the Holy Souls.”

This practice teaches children the beauty of sacrifice and offering their daily actions to God.

6. Read About the Saints Who Prayed for the Holy Souls

There are many saints, such as St. Gertrude the Great, St. Catherine of Genoa, and St. Nicholas of Tolentino, who had a strong devotion to the Holy Souls. Reading these stories can inspire your children and help them see the importance of praying for the dead. You can even pick a saint as a family patron for the month and ask for their intercession in your prayers.

Learn more about some of the saints who had devotions to the holy souls in purgatory from our Saint Stories collection!

7. Participate in a Mass for the Dead

Attending Mass is the highest form of prayer we can offer. Many parishes have a special Mass for the dead in early November, often on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd). Bringing your family to a Mass offered for the deceased gives them a chance to pray as a community for the Holy Souls and experience the beauty of the Church’s prayers for the dead.

Encourage your children to pray for specific loved ones and allow them to see the richness of our faith's liturgical traditions.

8. Make a Novena for the Holy Souls

If your family enjoys structured prayer, consider doing a Novena for the Holy Souls. This nine-day prayer can be a powerful way to encourage a habit of family prayer and offer a dedicated time for the Holy Souls. You can find various novena prayers online or ask your parish for a copy.

Honoring the Holy Souls in Purgatory as a family can be a beautiful experience that deepens your faith and strengthens family bonds. Through prayer, small sacrifices, and acts of love, we remember that we are united with those who have gone before us in a spirit of mercy and hope. May these traditions help your family grow in charity, understanding, and devotion to the Church’s teaching on the communion of saints.

Advent is fast approaching! Get prepared with our Advent & Christmas Activity Kit!