Questions Catholics are Asked:Why do you pray for the dead?

The short answer:The dead are still our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Love demands that we continue doing for them in death what we did for them in life: beg God’s blessings.”

Does the Bible recommend prayers of the dead?

Yes.Chapter 12 of the Second Book of Maccabees relates an event during a second-century BC

Jewish revolt led by Judas Maccabees.Some bodies of slain Jewish warriors had been found with forbidden amulets (worn for spiritual protection).

“…Turning to supplication, [the surviving soldiers] prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out.” (vs.42)Then a collection was taken up and sent to Jerusalem

for an expiatory sacrifice.

The sacred author concludes the story by praising the actions of Judas and his men:

“In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the

dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless

and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness,

it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead

that they might be freed from this sin.” (14:43-46)

Elsewhere, Saint Paul says

“What will people accomplish by having themselves baptized for the dead?

If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they having themselves

baptized for them?” 1 Cor 15:29

This is an obscure passage.Most scholars think “baptism” refers not

to a water ritual but to trial and tribulation. This was the sense of the word Jesus had in

mind when he asked his disciples if they were ready to be

“baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38) and when he spoke of his anxiety

that his “baptism be accomplished.” (Luke 12:50)

Given this interpretation…

Saint Paul is praising the acceptance of hardship with the dead in mind. Suffering is thus made meaningful

because it is “offered up” as a kind of intercessory prayer for the dead.

Remember, the Catholic tradition of praying for the dead is grounded in our vision of

church as a family.

Prayer is powerful!We pray

for our deceased brothers and sisters

because they are still our brothers and sisters.