With the headstones of Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock serving as a solemn backdrop Nov. 2, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor described the reciprocation between the faithful living at the annual All Souls’ Mass and the faithful departed laid to rest behind him.
“Purgatory is the process by which God remedies all that is lacking in us, and that’s where our prayers can help the dead,” he told the approximately 180 participants during his homily. “Just as in this life, so also in purgatory, growth and healing is much easier when you’ve got help. And in this case, the help of our prayers. Once they get into heaven, our loved ones, they’ll surely reciprocate by interceding for us, and that’s what the communion of the saints is all about — helping each other on the road to salvation.”
Bishop Taylor said while praying for those in hell is futile, he cautioned against presuming an individual died in a state of mortal sin.
“While there’s no point in praying for those who are in hell because they are not going to get out; they’re beyond the reach of our prayers, but as a practical matter, we don’t know anyone for a fact to necessarily be there,” he said. “Now, presumably, Hitler and Stalin would be on the shortlist, but we don’t know that. And what about all those who do not die in the perfect innocence of the newborn baby? People like you and me, they can benefit from our prayers, and that’s what today is all about — All Souls’ Day — praying for the faithful departed.”
The Mass was concelebrated by Father Joseph de Orbegozo, Father Jeff Hebert, Father Mauricio Carrasco and Father Greg Luyet, JCL.
Following Mass, the seminarians led a procession around the cemetery, and Bishop Taylor blessed the graves of the faithful departed.
