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WHY DO CATHOLICS...? ARCHIVE
The following question was answered as a part of our Why Do Catholics...? series. If you would like to submit a question for our Why Do Catholics...? series, email faithform@abecket.org or leave your question in the Faith Formation box in the Parish Office.

Why, during Mass, do Catholics Pray for the Dead?

It would have been natural in the early Church to remember those early Christians who were martyred for their faith whenever the faithful gathered for liturgy. Then to move from praying for martyrs to other holy people and to those loved ones who had died would have been a normal progression. There are ancient texts that go back to the early centuries of the Church that include prayers for the dead. The Mass connects all believers living and dead because death cannot break the bond we have as the faithful in Christ.

Laura Broyles, Adult Faith Formation Director
laura.broyles@abecket.org

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