Pray for the dead and the dead will pray for you.

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A friend called me up reminding me of the novenas for the dead. She asked me why we should pray for the dead when they are dead already. I simply answered that if we 'pray for the dead, the dead will pray for you.' We used to play that line on the piano when we were children. Around this time, before Halloween. To scare each other. As we nervously exchange tales of ghosts and the supernatural. But there is actually truth to that line, that we should pray for the dead, especially our beloved dead, for we do not know if they are still in purgatory, or already in heaven. Told my friend about the Church Suffering, the souls in purgatory needing our prayers. We who are still alive are the Church Militant, praying for God's mercy. The souls who are in heaven is the Church Triumphant, wanting us also to share in God's glory. My friend asked about the ones in hell. I simply told her not to go there, for there is no getting out. So, be good.