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 COMMEMORATION OF ALL SOULS: HOMILY BY FR. ISAAC CHIMA

THEME: Remembering Our Dead: Death Is Not the End of Love

Dearest friends in Christ, yesterday, we rejoiced in the triumph of our brothers and sisters who have overcome the trials of this world. They remained steadfast in faith, ran the race with perseverance, and now wear the crown of glory bestowed by God. Today, the Church turns our hearts toward those who have departed but have not yet reached their eternal home. They are journeying onwards, but held back at the moment by the remnants of sin, awaiting full purification. It is our sacred duty to pray for them, entrusting them to the mercy of God, who alone can cleanse and welcome them into the beatific vision, united with the saints in heaven.

This day, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is a profound reminder of the fullness of the Church. We are part of a divine communion that has the Church triumphant in heaven, the Church militant here on earth, and the Church suffering in purgatory. The Church triumphant rejoices in eternal glory; the Church militant continues the pilgrimage of faith; and the Church suffering undergoes purification, longing for the embrace of heaven. Today, we as the Church militant lift our prayers to God, asking for grace and mercy on behalf of the suffering Church in purgatory.

The Church’s teaching on purgatory reflects the vision of St. John that “Nothing impure will enter heaven” (Rev. 21:27), and the wisdom of St. John’s teaching that “There is sin that does not lead to eternal death” (1 John 5:16–17). Dear friends, what becomes of those who die with sins that do not merit eternal separation from God, as John taught? Purgatory is the answer; it is a merciful temporal state of cleansing, where souls are cleansed and prepared to enter the heavenly banquet.

Just as Judas Maccabeus (2 Maccabees 12:38-46) urged prayers for fallen soldiers, we too are called to pray for our departed loved ones. We entrust them to the boundless mercy of God, who gave His only Son for our salvation. If God went to the extent of sacrificing His only Son to redeem us, then we cannot doubt the immensity of His love and mercy for us.

We pray today because we believe in a God whose dominion extends beyond the grave. He is the God of the living and the dead. We believe in His power to raise dry bones to life (Ez 37:12), and in His promise not to abandon His faithful in death nor let His beloved see decay (Ps 16:10).

Remembering our deceased loved ones is a natural human impulse. But for Catholics, this memory is not passive; it is rather active, accompanied by intercessory prayer for them. We pray not only for those we knew, but also for all the departed whose faith is known to God alone. We do these prayers because of the deep bond we share with them in the communion of saints. Our Church is not only a gathering of the living; it is a sacred fellowship that includes heaven, earth, and purgatory, a communion of the living and the dead.

The condition of the dead reminds us to live holy lives, so that when our own earthly journey ends, we may enter heaven unimpeded. Let us not forget that the dead were our beloved ones. And love does not die with the body. Death is not the end of love, and it never brought an end to the love we shared with them. Rather, the love we shared with them endures. Divine love is also eternal; it is far beyond our comprehension.

Today, we commend our departed brothers and sisters to the eternal love of God. We pray that they may be swiftly freed from the purifying fire (1 Cor 3:15), and that God, who knows them better, may judge them with mercy. For if God were to count our sins, who could stand? But with Him there is mercy, and for this we revere Him (Ps 130:3–4).

Dear friends, we pray for all the dead, for we do not know who among them has already entered into peace. Though time may have softened the pain of their absence, the Church calls us never to forget them. Let this month of November be a time of special prayer and remembrance. Our prayers will not be in vain; they will help our loved ones reach their heavenly home.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chima