The Church teaches that Catholics must pray for those who have departed this life but have not yet entered Eternal Life in November, the month of the Souls in Purgatory, according to Catholic Culture.

“This All Souls’ Day, as we remember the faithful departed, let us renew our commitment to loving God and loving one another,” President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez tweeted. “And let us, once again, set the goal of our life on going to heaven.”

Alms and prayers were offered for the dead, as referenced in the Old Testament, Catholic Culture explains. "They who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them" and "it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins,” the Liturgical Meditations from the Sisters of St. Dominic says.

Church doctrine requires that, during November, Catholics must pray for those who have died on earth, but have not yet entered Eternal Life, Catholic Culture explains.

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus opened the gates of Heaven to all believers, the USCCB says, citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “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,” paragraph 1030 of the Catechism reads. The place of purification the Church calls “Purgatory.” The teachings on Purgatory are based on Scripture. “The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences and works of penance on behalf of the dead,” paragraph 1032 of the Catechism says.

The National Catholic Reporter (NCR) says All Souls Day opens the observations on Nov. 2, when Catholics are called upon to commemorate and pray for the faithful dead. St. Odilo of Cluny initiated the practice in the 10th century, and it is still in practice today. Burying the dead is a Corporal Work of Mercy.

“The bodies of the dead are not discarded vessels, but integral parts of a human being that will be reunited on the last day,” Clare Coffey, writing for NCR, says. “The separation is temporary, and they are still worthy of our respect and our love.”

It's usual for Catholics to offer up a special prayer for those loved ones who have died. My Catholic Prayers cites one: “Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him/her. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.”

Crosiers, who are members of the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross, one the Roman Catholic Church’s oldest religious orders, tweeted at the start of the month: “Today we celebrate All Souls' Day. As you remember your loved ones who have gone before you, we Crosiers share in your prayers for them. If you are in Arizona or Minnesota, visit our Day of the Dead altars (Día de los Muertos ofrendas) at our respective priory churches!”