A friend asked me: “When you die, who will pray for you?”

Last week, I joked with a friend that, “I’m trying to get families to commemorate All Soul’s Day with their kids…maybe that’s kind of weird.”

She looked at me and said, “If people don’t teach their kids to pray for the dead, who will pray for us when we die?”

She was deadly serious when she said this (no pun intended).

And I realized…she’s right.

If we don’t start passing down these practices and instilling the importance of All Soul’s Day in our children, who will pray for US when we die?

It can feel a bit abstract at times to pray “for the poor souls in Purgatory” but one day, those souls will include you and I.

It is easy to focus on the first part of this upcoming triduum (All Hallow’s Eve and All Saints Day). After all, they are a bit more cheerful and comprehendible to kids!

But, we need to teach our children the importance of All Souls too and instill in them the importance of commemorating this important part of the liturgical year too.

So, here is a Catholic practice that can maximize your family’s prayers for the poor souls in Purgatory:

The Church gives the faithful on earth a special responsibility to aid those currently suffering in Purgatory during the first 8 days of November.

This prayer card breaks down HOW you can fulfill this Plenary Indulgence and includes space where you can list the poor souls you want to specifically pray for (think: recently deceased family and friends who need the comfort of your prayers).

This of how powerful it would be if entire families (and even entire parishes) joined together in storming Heaven with prayers for those in Purgatory.

Please–help us bring this tradition back to light in the Church today!