The month of November has traditionally been a month of prayer for the deceased. It begins November 1st, All Saints Day, praying to the faithful who have already reached heaven (Church Triumphant). The Church also remembers the faithfully departed who are still expiating their sins in Purgatory (Church Suffering) and of the pilgrim faithful still here on earth awaiting God’s call to join Him in heaven (the Church Militant). The Catholic Church teaches that the purification of the souls in Purgatory can be hastened by the actions of the faithful on earth. This teaching is based upon the practice of prayer for the dead mentioned as far back as 2 Maccabees 12:42–46 in the Old Testament written around the second century BC. There is also evidence of praying for the deceased in the inscriptions, paintings, and iconography of the catacombs in the second and third centuries AD. There is a Latin phrase, ‘Memento Moro’ which translates, Remember Death. The concept and phrase dates as far back as ancient civilization. In Ancient Rome, there were memento mori practices tied to the funeral rites of prominent individuals. Roman generals, for example, would sometimes have a slave stand beside them during their triumphs, whispering “Remember, you are mortal” to prevent them from becoming too arrogant or prideful in the face of their achievements. During the Middle Ages, the concept of Memento Mori (remembering death) was adapted by Christians as a reminder that none of lives forever and what really matters, are the things of heaven and not earth. Symbols such as rotting fruit, sculls, bones, etc were often used in paintings which had religious overtones about the afterlife. We might just want to stop and reflect this All Souls’ day to remind ourselves, ‘memento mori.’ What really counts in our lives? How do we measure success when it comes to earthly life knowing it will all gone. Jesus reminds us to store treasure in heaven where nothing can harm or corrupt those gifts. Sometime reminding ourselves of the end, can surely help live life each day to the fullest. Fr. Roach
