You may have noticed a recent announcement in the parish bulletin regarding the new, red-globed Sanctuary lamp next to the Tabernacle, which remains lighted to signify the presence of Christ in the form of Holy Communion in the Tabernacle; and the candle may be lit to burn in memory of a loved one. Perhaps you have wondered why we announce, at the conclusion of the Gloria at the beginning of Mass, that "this Mass is being celebrated in memory of the noble soul of…," or you might have wondered why so many folks are lighting candles at the Mary Statue before or after Mass—or even just during the whole of the day—or why we offer a prayer intention book for your personal prayer needs?

These things, and many others, are what the Catholic Church calls "traditions" with a small "t" in our faith. They are devotions which the Church offers so that the faithful—you and I—might carry on the Spiritual Works of Mercy, which asks us to pray for the souls of those who have died and for us to offer prayers for the various needs of others, the world and the Church.

But why? Our Church teaches that those who have died still need our prayers. Even the most wonderfully Catholic person, who never missed a Mass, never said a disparaging word, who never "sinned," might still need our prayers. Who knows, maybe there was a broken relationship or a sinful thought, or a weakness that lived secretly within them. And as we recall the Church’s teaching on Purgatory—yes the Church does believe in Purgatory—where one’s soul needs to be purified and made right with God—prior to their entrance into heaven, we are called to pray for them.

We, the living, have an obligation and a duty to pray for the souls in Purgatory and for all people who have died, for their eternal life with God. For thousands of years Catholics have been praying the rosary, lighting candles, celebrating Masses and doing other spiritual works—as well as corporal works—of mercy not only for the building up of the Common Good—or justice—but also that souls might enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. I certainly hope that after I have died, someone will still hold to the tradition of praying for my un-worthy soul.

Prayer is powerful. I have experienced the amazing effects of others’ praying for me. Prayer works! Let us build up on the Church’s tradition of praying for others—those we love and miss and those we have never known, and so not only as-sist their souls with God—but in this we will also learn to pray and dialogue with God and so come to know His will in our own lives.

Light up! Pray Up! And Mass Up! It does a "body" and a soul good!