“Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out.… Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin.” – 2 Maccabees 12:42–46

”The Feast of All Souls is celebrated annually on November 2nd, the day after the Feast of All Saints, as a day to remember family and friends who have died and to pray for all souls in purgatory. The Church believes the prayers and actions of those on earth will help bring the souls of the faithful to the beatific vision, direct communication with God, and full membership in the communion of saints. In turn, the faithful departed pray for those still on earth.”