In 2017, Disney released the movie, “Coco.” The story is centered around the beautiful Hispanic tradition called Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. “Coco” follows the journey of young Miguel to find his great grandfather in the land of the dead. The movie is a strong reminder that despite death, family history transcends the years and continues to shape our families for generations to come. “Coco” is a movie that reminds us of the power of family, how bonds and connections with those who died never end and how our traditions and stories keep our loved ones alive.

I am reminded of “Coco” because during this month of November we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, and we also commemorate all the faithful departed. These two celebrations are related to each other. All Saints Day reminds us of our call to live a life of holiness by imitating the lives of the holy men and women. All Souls Day gives us the hope that, as God’s beloved children, we are destined to follow the Saints, to share in the promise of eternal life.

No matter how different cultures celebrate All Souls, we share one thing, we pray for our departed loved ones. But why pray for them? There are several reasons why, as Catholic Christians, we do this.

• Firstly, prayer helps remember our loved ones. Like in the movie, death does not end the bonds and connections made on earth. Rather in prayer we deepen those bonds. We pray in the hope that one day we will enjoy the friendship and love that we once shared with them.
• Secondly, we pray for them because we believe in God’s merciful love. In fact, in one of the prayers for the dead we say: “For your faithful people, [in death] life is only changed but never ended.”  Despite our weaknesses and flaws, we believe that because of God’s mercy we pray that the dead will one day share in the gift of the resurrection. Prayer assures us of God’s faithfulness to His promise.
• Thirdly, prayer gives us hope. It is not easy to lose a loved one. But the prayer of the Church reminds us that “even though by our own fault we perish, yet by [God’s] compassion and grace, when seized by death according to our sins, we are redeemed through Christ’ victory and with Him called back to life.”  

Praying for the dead is a reminder that our God desires nothing more than to be with us forever. As St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans, “nothing can separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus, not even death.”

As we remember our loved ones this month, let us keep in mind the power of prayer. It is what keeps us connected to them.