all souls

What does the church teach about death

"In that departure whichis death the soul is separated from the body. It will be reunited with the body on the day of resurrection of the dead." CCC1005

"For those who dies in christ's grace it is a particpation in the death of the Lord, so that they can also share his resurrection." CCC1006


"Death is the end of our earthly life. Death lends urgency to our lives: remembering our mortality helps us realize we have only limited time in which to bring our lives to fulfillment." ccc1007

"Death is a consequence of sin. Death is contrary to the plans of God. Death is transformed by Christ. The obedience of Jesus has transformed the curse of death into a blessings." CCC1008-1009

"If we die in christ's grace, physical death completes this 'dyingwith Christ' and so completes our incorporation into him in his redeeming act. In death, God calls man to himself..." CCC 1010-1011

"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 holiness necessary to enter th ejoy of heaven." CCC 1020

"From th ebeginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers and suffrage for them, above all the eucharistic sacrifice, so that thus purified, they may attain beatific vision of God...Let us help and commeorate them. If Job's sons were purifed by his sacrifce, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation. Let us not ehsitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them." CCC1032

As we pray in the Liturgy of funerals:

"Lord, you have made the grave a sign of hope even as it claims our mortals bodies."

Psalm 23 Though I walk in the valley of death, I fear no evil for you are at my side with your rod and staff that give me courage.

No one who has accepted Christ ever dies alone, for in His death, Christ has filled that experience with his presence.


Remember, part of the joy of belonging to the church is the privelege of helping the Holy Souls enter into heaven. The one thing we can give them is our time. they have not time for they have passed into eternity, but time which is still the best commodity we have can be a great offering in prayer for them.