St. Teresa of Avila Interceding for Souls in Purgatory painting by Workshop of Peter Paul Rubens (MET, 17.190.19) (Wikimedia Commons)

November is the month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. The Catechism teaches: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship 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)

Those suffering but hopeful souls whom our prayers assist will someday be in heaven and will pray for us as we journey. And so, November is an ideal time to help the Holy Souls through prayer and acts of love and charity. It’s also a good time to remember that we are sinners and must strengthen our own souls so that we may enter heaven. Here are six ways you can honor the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Eternal rest grant unto them oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them and may their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.  (You can say this every time you pray: before meals, at night, after the Rosary.)

Click here for a week of prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, and for those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

Soul cakes are a medieval tradition. There are many recipes online.

You can receive a plenary indulgence for doing this (check online to see the steps needed)