The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis recently shared a prayer for All Souls Day on the Facebook page, helping parishioners pray for those who have passed on. 

In addition, the Archdiocese held a mass Tuesday at the Church of All Saints in Minneapolis. 

The archdiocese post stated, “God our father, Your power brings us to birth, Your providence guides our lives, and by Your command we return to dust. 

"Lord, those who die still live in Your presence, their lives change but do not end. I pray in hope for my family, relatives and friends, and for all the dead known to You alone. In company with Christ, who died and now lives, may they rejoice in Your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away."

The post continued, "Unite us together again in one family, to sing Your praise forever and ever.”

Although the final destination for a man or woman of God is heaven, the Catholic doctrine of purgatory teaches that all those who die in a state of friendship with God, though ultimately heading to heaven, could go first to purgatory to be separated from any sins that they are still attached to at the time of their deaths.

In 2 Maccabees Chapter 12 verses 44-45 offer strong biblical proof for purgatory. 

“For had he not expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, where if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout," it reads.  "Hence, he had this expiatory sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin.” 

According to Britannica, “Roman Catholic doctrine holds that the prayers of the faithful on Earth will help cleanse these souls in order to fit them for the vision of God in heaven, and the day is dedicated to prayer and remembrance. Requiem masses are commonly held, and many people visit and sometimes decorate the graves of loved ones.”