The Invited Guests excused themselves from the Wedding Feast.

One by one the invited guests turned down the dinner invitation. 

"One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”

"He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. 

"When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’

"But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.

"The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’

"And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ 

"And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ 

"The servant went and reported this to his master.

"Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

"The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’

"The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner." (Luke 14: 15 - 24).

Tuesday November 7th 2023 in the 31st Week of Ordinary Time.

The context of today's parable is the enthusiastic statement of a fellow dinner guest of Jesus:

"One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”

Dining in the Kingdom of God is the summit of blessings. It is the ultimate aspiration. 

The Marriage feast of the Lamb is the mother of all feast. 

Why will anyone in his right mind turn down such an invitation? 

The answer is that there is something akin to insanity with regard to sin. When the Prodigal Son came back to his senses, he wondered why he ever did what he did. Ran away from the gorgeous home of his loving father to live like a scum of the earth for a number of years! 

The Church is the seed of the Kingdom of God on earth. The Eucharist is the Marriage feast of the Lamb on this side of Heaven. 

If you have been avoiding the Eucharist, ask the gracious Lord to rescue you from "the highways and hedgerows" before it is too late. 

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

“I saw my guardian angel, who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid. The flames, which were burning them, did not touch me at all. My guardian angel did not leave me for an instant. I asked these souls what their greatest suffering was. They answered me in one voice that their greatest torment was longing for God.” (St. Maria Faustina Kowalski). 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Be generous to the poor and the disadvantaged this holiday season.

Be generous to the poor and the disadvantaged this holiday season. 

"On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.

"He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. 

"Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you and because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12 - 14).

Monday November 6th in the 31st Week of Ordinary Time.

Thanksgiving Day is weeks away. It marks the beginning of the holiday season. Parties, dinners and invitations to family, friends and colleagues are being planned. 

Jesus looks forward to dinner invitations since it gives Him a teaching moment to meet the kind of crowd He did not reach on daily basis.  Here Jesus gives a difficult lesson to the aristocratic group gathered for the dinner and frankly to us as well.

Who do you plan to invite to your home this Thanksgiving, Christmas, parties? What are your motives behind your guest list?

"Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind," advises Jesus.

Why this group?

"Blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you."

Jesus challenges our self-centeredness. Why are humans so self centered? Even little children act always in a quid pro quo manner.  Jesus set a new standard in the Kingdom.  Act like your Heavenly Father, who is lavishly generous to All His children, Jesus admonishes.

"All you who are thirsty, come to the water!

You who have no money, come, buy grain and eat; Come, buy grain without money, wine and milk without cost!"  (Isaiah 55: 1).

Jesus offers the Bread of life free of charge.

"There is no problem or difficulty that cannot be solved or resolved by faithful persevering recourse to My Mother’s most holy Rosary. The Rosary is My Mother’s gift to the poor and to the simple, to the little ones who alone are capable of hearing the Gospel in all its purity and of responding to it with a generous heart. It is to such as these—the childlike and the weak, the poor and the trusting—that the Rosary is given. It is to such as these that the Rosary belongs." (IN SINU JESU).

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

“The fire of Purgatory is the same as the fire of Hell; the difference between them is that the fire of Purgatory is not everlasting." (St John Vianney). 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

You have one Teacher and Master: Jesus.

You have one Teacher and Master: Jesus. 

"Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, 

“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.

"For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.

"All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’

"As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.

"Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ.

"The greatest among you must be your servant. 

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 1 - 12).

Sunday November 5th 2023 in the 31st Week of Ordinary Time.

In our key Scripture for today, Jesus upbraided the scribes and the Pharisees. Why? 

They teach correct Doctrine but leave the practice of what they teach to their followers.

Who are the equivalent of the scribes and Pharisees today?

They are the Bishops and Abbots who received teaching authority directly from Christ. They have helpers in priests, theologians and catechists.

Church Father and Doctor of the Church St John Chrysostom teaches that the Bishops and their assistants must be respected because they hold apostolic office no matter their failings.

We may think that a Bishop is in error with regard to one doctrine or the other. But who are we to criticize him when his Boss says:

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Luke 10: 16).

All things work together for good for those who love  God. (Cf Romans 8: 28). God's sovereign and mysterious Providence governs all things. God makes everything beautiful in the fullness of time. Trust in the merciful, mighty and mysterious Plan of God.

We all will be judged on the Last by our obedience and humility.

Jesus concludes His teaching for today with these words:

"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 11 - 12).

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

“Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice (Job 1:5), why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.”  (St. John Chrysostom). 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Feast of St Charles Borromeo, Bishop.

St Charles Borromeo, Bishop. 

"On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

"He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. 

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. 

"A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.

"Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ 

"Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14: 7 - 11).

Saturday November 4th in the 30th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Charles Borromeo. (1538 - 1584).

St Charles Borromeo was Cardinal and Archbishop of the famous See of Milan, the See of St Ambrose. Borromeo was born into wealth and splendor but was not possessed by his wealth and patrimony.

St Charles Borromeo was one of the architects of the successful conclusion of the Council of Trent. A great reformer, he worked hard for the implementation of the decrees of the Council. He established seminaries and had catechisms produced. 

Jesus is in a dinner party and the principal guests recognized Him and were observing Him to see what He would do or say. 

Jesus was observing their manners too. The crowd justled to get prominent places in order to show who is who? Jesus did not pass the opportunity to teach about social manners and humility. He teaches here that humility is a prudent virtue that will serve us well in social life.

Humility is also a key spiritual virtue to possess. St Augustine teaches that while you can enter the Kingdom of God without chastity, you can never enter Heaven without humility.

Here is a definition of humility by example:

+ Jesus Christ is humble.

+ St. Mary is humble.

+ St Martin de Poress is humble.

+ St Brother Andre is humble.

+ St Mother Teresa is humble.

The simple way to be humble is to pray every day for the grace of humility. Since God promises to grant us whatever we ask for, the gift of humility cannot be an exception. You may also pray through the intercession of one of the saints above or your patron saint. Leverage the power of the Communion of the Saints. Jesus Christ says that He is glorified when we honor His saints. (Liturgy of the Eucharist). 

Imitate the humility of the saints. 

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

"You, My priest adorer, will live in silence and humility, attentive to the sound of My voice and obedient to whatsoever I will say to you. Submit to the discernment of those whom I have set over you, and in all things prefer the mind and sentiments of the Church to your own thoughts and attractions." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, August 7, 2008).

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

“If, during life, we have been kind to

 the suffering souls in purgatory, God will see that help be not denied us after death.” (St Paul of the Cross) 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Feast of St Martin de Poress.

Feast of St Martin de Poress, OP. 

Friday 3rd November 2023 of 30th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Martin de Poress (1579 - 1639).

Martin de Poress, OP was a Dominican lay brother of mixed races. Born in Lima, Peru of a Spanish father and a black mother. His father gave Martin a decent education and His creator, the eternal Physician, endowed Martin with immense pharmaceutical and medical skills. He deployed these gifts in the service of the poor and animals.

Martin was not disgusted with the menial tasks he was alloted: cooking, cleaning and sweeping. He fed the unwanted and the hungry that came to the monastery looking for food. He cured the sick in the infirmary. He fed and cured animals in the backyard.

Martin de Poress was highly gifted and talented. He humbled himself and never raised his voice or showed off his skills. He accepted the humble place given to him by his brother Dominicans and worked cheerfully in the kitchen and as a doorkeeper.

Even in these humble places, he still became the salt of the earth and the light of Christ. God blessed him with miraculous powers. After his death in 1639, the power of his intercession and miraculous power made Martin a favorite patron saint in the Church. Martin is the patron saint of Social Justice and Healthcare workers. 

St Martin de Poress pray for us. 

Become a Saint. Become holy.

“If, during life, we have been kind to the suffering souls in purgatory, God will see that help be not denied us after death.” (St Paul of the Cross) 

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday, November 3.

First Friday in November. November 3rd, 2023. 

 Jesus promised through St Margaret Mary Alacoque 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Nine Consecutive Fridays of every month by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. 

In the 11th month of the year, November 2023, we look at Promise #11. 

#11. "Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced." 

Seven Easy Ways to Promote the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion:

1. Make a list of your family, friends and colleagues and share this Sacred Heart of Jesus Blog with them every month. Copy the URL, or look for the sign of "share" and click on it. 

2.    Get about 100 or more Sacred Heart of Jesus picture cards  from your local Catholic Bookstore.  Or from Amazon or any Internet vendor of Catholic books and holy cards. Get the ones with the picture of the Sacred Heart in front and the Promises of the Sacred Heart on the back.

3. Give the cards to family members, relatives, friends and work mates. Leave some of the Sacred Heart cards in the Church Narthex or Gathering Area at the back of the Church of your parish church. 

4. Water your new Sacred Heart of Jesus ministry through daily prayers. Praying for the success of your ministry is very important and tells Jesus: "This person is serious about this ministry. I will try her for a few months to see if she is faithful." You are already on the way as a promoter of the Sacred Heart devotion. 

5. Give friends and family the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer cards. 

6. Remind the Lord often of these promises especially those that touch your present needs. Jesus loves to be reminded of His promises.  Not that He forgets.  It is important for you to know deeply that the Lord is faithful. 

7. Friends, this is a question of whether you trust the promises of Jesus or not. Review the 12 Promises about once a month to see which promises have been fulfilled. 

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion. 

For the Sacred Heart of Jesus Promises, Prayers, Prayer intentions, click the link below: 

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1 

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com 

The Feast of the Poor Souls in PURGATORY.

ALL SOULS: The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. 

"Jesus said to the crowds:

“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

"And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.

"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”  (John 6: 37 - 40).

Thursday 2nd November 2023 of the 30th Week of Ordinary Time is the Commemoration of all the holy souls in Purgatory. (ALL SOULS). 

Jesus prays, yearns, cries for the salvation of all men and women. The loving mercy of God makes this possible through the providential existence of Purgatory. Without Purgatory, only a few people will be saved. 

The Church teaches from the very beginning that:

"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 the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven." (CCC 1030).

Where do people go for the cleansing or purification after they take their last breath and close their eyes in death?

"The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned." (CCC 1031).

The unbelievers think that the dead are lost and would decay in the ground like organic matters. They do not believe that man has a soul. But the word of God answers the unbelievers thus:

"They [the dead] seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace." (Wisdom 3: 2 - 3).

We celebrate the feast of All Souls because the Church teaches that the souls in Purgatory can benefit from our prayers.

If you do not believe in the teaching of the Church on Purgatory, whose teaching do you believe? The word of God calls the Church "The Pillar and Foundation of the truth." (1 Timothy 3: 15). 

The Book of Wisdom, our first Reading gives us the end game of Divine Providence on the Souls in Purgatory:

"Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself." (Wisdom 3: 5 - 6).

Jesus says: "My intercession is everlasting even in the glory of eternity because I chose to keep the wounds in My hands and in My feet and in My side. They constitute an uninterrupted pleading for the sake of all: for those in glory that they may go from light to light and from sweetness to sweetness; for those on earth that they may find in My wounds healing, purity, and holiness; and for the souls in purgatory that by the merits of My holy wounds they may be refreshed and delivered."  (IN SINU JESU, Friday, March 28, 2008).

"It is definite that only a few chosen ones do not go to Purgatory and the sufferings there that one must endure exceed our imagination.” ( St. John Vianney). 

Remember the Poor Souls in Purgatory daily in your prayers.

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

The Solemnity of All Saints.

The Solemnity of All Saints. 

"I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

"I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the children of Israel.

"After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.”

"All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed:

“Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanks­giving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

"Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have sur­vived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7: 2 - 4, 9 - 14).

Wednesday 1st November 2023 of the 30th Week of Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of All Saints.

In the vision, the two elders asked John: “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”

These are the Saints whose feast we celebrate today. The Church venerates in one huge celebration the merits of All the Saints. From Abel the Just to the newest Saint who enters Paradise Now. 

“These are the ones who have sur­vived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”

The Saints are now in Heaven enjoying the reward that Jesus Christ promised.

What is Heaven? "Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness." (CCC 1024).

The Saints tell us that our experience of Heaven begins right here and now. Our Baptism makes us children of God. If you are in sanctifying grace, you experience the presence of the Blessed Trinity living in you. What does this mean? You enjoy to the extent of your capacity the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. This is what the Saints in Heaven enjoy all the time. St Catherine of Siena says that the joy of Heaven begins here and all the way to eternity.

Jesus promises that He is glorified when we honor His saints. Communion of Saints is one of the most powerful and comforting doctrines in the Church. You can have as close friends many of the saints. These friend saints take your petitions to the Prince of Saints who has promised to be favorable to their intercessions on your behalf.

All Saints come from all races, countries, backgrounds and occupations. They give us powerful example and motivation to imitate them.

Become a Saint. Become holy.

November is the Month we pray for the Souls in PURGATORY. 

"It is definite that only a few chosen ones do not go to Purgatory and the sufferings there that one must endure exceed our imagination.” – St. John Vianney

For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com

10 Ways to Assist the Poor Souls in PURGATORY.

TEN WAYS TO HELP THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 

It is appropriate to commemorate All Souls Day by praying for those who have gone before us in faith. Here are ten ways we can pray for our deceased friends and relatives, and for all our brothers and sisters who have died in Christ.

1. Pray the Novena to the Holy Souls by St. Alphonsus Liguori.

2. Offer up your Holy Communions for the souls in purgatory.

3. Have Masses said for your departed loved ones, especially on the anniversary of his or her death.

4. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the intention of the Holy Souls.

5. Eucharistic Adoration: visit the Blessed Sacrament to make acts of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on behalf of those in purgatory.

6. Sacrifices: practice small acts of self-denial throughout your day and offer these penances up for the poor souls.

7. Give alms: The giving of material assistance to the poor has always been considered a penance that can be offered for the Holy Souls. “For almsgiving saves from death, and purges all sin” (Tobit 12:9).

8. Ask for the intercession of saints who were known to be great friends of the Holy Souls during their lifetime to join you in prayer for the faithful departed: St. Nicholas of Tolentino, St. Gertrude the Great, St. Catherine of Genoa, St. Padre Pio, St. Philip Neri, St. John Macías, St. Faustina Kowalska, St. Joseph, Our Lady, and others.

9. When passing by a cemetery: Pray the short Eternal Rest prayer: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

10. Pray to earn indulgences for the holy souls:  On all the days from November 1 to November 8, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed (standard requirements for indulgences apply*). Partial indulgences are granted to those who recite Lauds or Vespers of the Office of the Dead, and to those who recite the prayer, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace”.

November 2nd is All Souls Day, sometimes called the Day of the Dead. During this entire month we pray for the souls of the faithful departed, especially those whom we have known and loved.

The Catholic Church dedicates the entire month of November to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. November 2nd is All Souls Day, sometimes called the Day of the Dead. During this entire month we pray for the souls of the faithful departed, especially those whom we have known and loved.

Scriptural basis for Prayers for the Dead

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us about the purpose of purgatory and the importance of praying for the dead:

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 the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. the tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." (2 Macc 12:46) From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

Pope Francis on praying for the souls in purgatory

Pope Francis teaches that:

Even now we experience a communion between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven through our union with those who have died. The souls in heaven assist us with their prayers, while we assist the souls in purgatory through our good works, prayer and participation in the Eucharist. As members of the Church then, the distinction is not between who has died and who is living, but rather who is in Christ and who is not …

There is a deep and indissoluble bond between those who are still pilgrims in this world — us — and those who have crossed the threshold of death and entered eternity. All baptized persons here on earth, the souls in Purgatory and all the blessed who are already in Paradise make one great Family. This communion between earth and heaven is realized especially in intercessory prayer.

Teachings of Pope St. John Paul II on the souls in purgatory

Pope St. John Paul II also encouraged prayers for the dead:

Joined to the merits of the saints, our fraternal prayer comes to the aid of those who await the beatific vision. Intercession for the dead, just as the life of those living according to the divine commandments, obtains the merits that serve the full attainment of salvation. It is an expression of the fraternal charity of the one family of God, by which “we are faithful to the Church’s deepest vocation” (Lumen gentium, n. 51): “to save souls who will love God eternally” (Thérèse of Lisieux, Prayers, 6; cf. Manuscript A 77rº). For the souls in purgatory, waiting for eternal happiness and for meeting the Beloved is a source of suffering, because of the punishment due to sin which separates them from God. But there is also the certitude that once the time of purification is over, the soul will go to meet the One it desires (cf. Ps 42; 62) …

Source: THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DALLAS. cathdal.org