Remembering the souls in Purgatory is so important that the Church dedicates all of November to praying for them!
This Catholic doctrine is rooted in both Scripture and tradition.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says,
"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.604 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..."
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030-1031)
The Communion of Saints has offered many profound messages about the nature of Purgatory and the importance of praying for them.
The Lord granted some saints mystical visions of the suffering souls in Purgatory, too. Can you imagine?
Here are 10 quotes from the saints about the nature of Purgatory and the power of praying for the faithful departed:
"If during life, we have been kind to the suffering souls in Purgatory, God will see that help be not denied us after death." - Saint Paul of the Cross
"As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming towards us and thanking us. We will ask who they are, and they will say, ‘a poor soul you prayed for in Purgatory.'" - Venerable Fulton Sheen
"In our prayers, let us not forget sinners and the poor souls in Purgatory, especially our poor relatives." - Saint Bernadette
"With Charity towards the dead, we practice all the works of charity. The Church encourages us to aid the souls in Purgatory, who in turn will reward us abundantly when they come into their glory." - Saint Francis de Sales
“I am the Mother of all the Poor Souls, for my prayers serve to mitigate their sufferings every single hour that they remain there (Purgatory)”. -The Blessed Mother to Saint Bridget
"If it were but known how great is the power of the good souls in Purgatory with the Heart of God, and if we knew all the graces we can obtain through their intercession, they would not be so much forgotten. We must, therefore, pray much for them, that they may pray much for us." - Saint John Vianney
“Praying for the souls in purgatory is the highest act of supernatural charity” -Saint John Paul II
"We must empty Purgatory with our prayers." - Saint Padre Pio
“Consider then...the magnitude of these sufferings which the souls in Purgatory endure; and the means which we have of mitigating them: our prayers, our good works, and, above all, the holy sacrifice of the Mass” - Saint John Vianney
"The clients of this most merciful Mother are very fortunate. She helps them both in this life and in the next, consoling them and sponsoring their cause in Purgatory.
"For the simple reason that the Souls in Purgatory need help so desperately, since they cannot help themselves, our Mother of Mercy does so much more to relieve them.
"She exercises over these Poor Souls, who are the spouses of Christ, particular dominion, with power to relieve them and even deliver them from their pains.
"See how important it is then to have devotion to this good Lady, because she never forgets her servants as long as they suffer in these flames. If she helps all the Poor Souls, she is especially indulgent and consoling to her own clients."
- Saint Alphonsus Liguori