Why Do Catholics Pray For The Dead? And Other Questions About Purgatory Answered

By Hannah Brockhaus

On All Souls’ Day, the Catholic Church remembers all those who have died and prays for them in a particular way.

But why do Catholics pray for the souls of the dead — not only on Nov. 2 but also on any day of the year? And does the Church really believe in the existence of purgatory?

“The whole...