Deacon Adam Cox of Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Maryville has described a personal tradition he observes each November, which is dedicated by the Catholic Church to praying for the dead. He recounts that after joining the Catholic Church, he began spending time in his parish's adoration chapel and developed a habit of saying prayers for the deceased, particularly during November.

Cox explained that this practice became a yearly tradition for him and his wife: "The desire to say those prayers grew into a yearly tradition where my wife and I would go to a different cemetery every week during the month of November to pray for the dead. (November is the month dedicated in the Catholic Church to pray for the dead.) We simply walk the grounds while praying a Rosary along with the Prayer of St. Gertrude for everyone who is buried there. If we feel called to a certain headstone, we stop and pray a Hail Mary for that soul."

He stated their motivation comes from two main reasons: "The first reason is death is something we all will face at some point and second, after a generation or two, the people buried in that cemetery are often forgotten. When our life ends, it does not mean we do not need prayers anymore because our soul could be in purgatory. The people that have gone before us are still our brothers and sisters in Christ, so praying for them brings a deep sense of connection to them, and God can use our prayers to expediate their time in purgatory and bring them to their heavenly reward."

Cox added: "My wife and I do our cemetery walk every November with the hope that someday, someone will do the same for us and our children. Remember that the people in our lives that have passed on are not gone, but have started a new chapter. This November, take the time to pray for your friends, family, and people you don’t know in a cemetery that have gone before us."

He concluded with traditional prayers offered during this period: "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen." The Prayer of St. Gertrude was also included: "Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."

Explaining why Catholics pray for those who have died Cox wrote: “Purgatory is the state of spiritual cleansing that occurs after death for souls who are destined for Heaven but still need purification from lesser sins or imperfections.” He referenced biblical passages such as Revelation 21:27 (“nothing impure will enter Heaven”) and 1 John 5:17 (not all sins are deadly), stating these support belief in purgatory as an intermediate stage before entering heaven.

He continued by noting historical roots: “The idea of purgatory is rooted in both Scripture and early Christian tradition… In 2 Maccabees 12…the Jews are shown praying for the dead — a practice that only makes sense if there is a temporary state of purification after death.” Other New Testament passages cited include 1 Corinthians 3:15 and 1 Peter 1:7.

According to Cox’s explanation based on Church teaching: “From earliest centuries Christians have prayed for dead believing our prayers can assist those undergoing purification… In His mercy God allows our prayers to aid souls on their journey to Heaven reminding us of deep unity between living & dead.”