All Souls’ Day: Rev. Fr Pius Odediran Calls for Deep Reflection, Repentance, and Prayers for the Departed
The Church Commemorates All Souls’ Day with Prayers for Mercy and Eternal Rest
The Catholic faithful around the world today, 2 November 2025, commemorate All Souls’ Day — a sacred day dedicated to prayer and reflection for all departed souls, especially those still undergoing purification in purgatory.
In a heartfelt reflection sent to Akahi News, Rev. Fr Pius Odediran, a Priest of the Osogbo Catholic Diocese, urged Christians to intensify prayers for the dead while also striving for holiness in their own lives. The cleric described the commemoration as a moment of deep spiritual connection among the Church Suffering (souls in purgatory), the Church Militant (the faithful on earth), and the Church Triumphant (the saints in heaven).
“We are to ask God for forgiveness and eternal rest for our deceased brothers and sisters gone before us,” Fr Odediran said. “This is mainly for those who are still in purgatory and need God’s mercy.”
The Church Suffering, Triumphant, and Militant — United in Love and Prayer
According to Akahi News, Fr Odediran reminded the faithful that purgatory is not a punishment but a merciful stage of purification where souls are cleansed to enter the fullness of heaven.
He explained that the unity between the Church on earth and those in purgatory forms a continuous fellowship of love, intercession, and charity.
“The Church suffering in purgatory needs purification to reach their eternal destination. In fellowship with the Church triumphant — the saints — and the Church militant — those of us still alive — we pray for the suffering church to help one another through prayers,” he noted.
The priest emphasised that prayer for the dead is a profound act of faith and charity, urging believers not to forget the souls who still await the mercy of God.
Scriptural Foundation for Praying for the Dead
Fr Odediran rooted his reflection in both Scripture and Catholic tradition, citing 2 Maccabees 12:46, where Judas Maccabeus made offerings for the sins of fallen soldiers:
“They offered a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of those who had died in battle, to pray for the dead so that they are free from their sins. It is a holy and suitable action.”
The priest stressed that this ancient practice remains a vital part of the Church’s teaching, describing it as one of the seven spiritual works of mercy — to pray for the living and the dead.
“While the doctrine on purgatory is well-founded and plausible,” he said, “we should also strive hard for holiness and perfection so that we may enter directly into heaven at the end of our earthly lives.”
Citing examples from the Old Testament, Fr Odediran recalled how the Israelites interceded for Joshua and Moses after their deaths, underscoring the continuity of this sacred practice from generation to generation.
“The Souls of the Righteous Are in the Hands of God”
Reflecting on the Book of Wisdom 3:1–9, Fr Odediran reminded Christians that there is life after death and that salvation remains possible through the mercy of God:
“The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment will reach them. While they were alive, they were victims of sins, selfishness, and injustice, but they are now in the hands of a loving Father who forgives and purifies them.”
The priest explained that the passage gives hope and reassurance that death is not the end for those who die in friendship with God. Through divine mercy, such souls are granted purification and immortality.
Sharing in Christ’s Death and Resurrection
In his message, the Osogbo Diocese priest drew attention to the mystery of baptism and suffering, linking them to Christ’s passion and resurrection.
“In baptism we share in Christ’s death so that we can share in His resurrection,” he said. “Through our sufferings, sacrifices, and endurance, St Paul tells us there is hope of enjoying God’s mercy and glory.”
Quoting Ezekiel 18:23, Fr Odediran highlighted the importance of continuous repentance and purification, saying that the Lord does not delight in the death of a sinner but in his conversion and salvation.
Acts of Mercy: Remembering and Caring for the Dead
As part of his pastoral appeal, Fr Odediran encouraged Catholics to engage in acts of charity and remembrance for the departed. He called visiting graves, offering prayers, and maintaining a spirit of intercession for the dead acts of kindness rooted in faith and hope.
“It is an act of kindness and charity to remember and pray for the dead,” he said. “It is also an act of faith and hope in Christ to preach righteousness and the resurrection. These acts help us to shine when Christ comes again to reign in His kingdom.”
The cleric urged Christians to live meaningful lives anchored in righteousness, charity, and friendship with God, reminding them that their own salvation journey is also one of constant purification.
“Let Us Live Meaningfully to Be Friends of God”
In his concluding message, Fr Odediran called on all believers to reflect deeply on their lives, using the All Souls’ commemoration as an opportunity for spiritual renewal.
“Let us pray and therefore live meaningfully to be friends of God,” he declared. “United in prayer, we ask our Lord Jesus Christ, who died and resurrected, to lead the departed to His kingdom where we shall all gather one day to live forever.”
Akahi News gathered that Rev. Fr Pius Odediran’s reflection embodies the Church’s unbroken tradition of intercession, love, and hope — a reminder that even in death, the mercy of God continues to flow toward His children.
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org
Additional Message from Rev. Fr Pius Odediran
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On this day the church celebrates all soul’s day. We are to ask God for forgiveness and eternal for the souls of our deceased brothers and sisters gone before us. This is mainly for those who are still in purgatory and need God’s mercy.
The Church suffering in purgatory needs purification to reach their eternal destination. In fellowship with the church triumphant, the saints and the church militant those of us still alive we pray for the suffering church in fellowship to help one another through prayers. Especially those in the purgatory who are the suffering church.
We seek for God’s mercy. The mercy of God that endures forever according to the Psalmist. In the book of Maccabees Judas Maccabeus, head of Israel, made a collection “so, they offered a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of those who had died in battle, to pray for the dead so that they are free from their sins, is a holy and suitable action” (Mac 12:46).
According to Catholic teaching, to pray for the living and the dead (especially, souls in purgatory) is the seventh spiritual work of mercy. However, while the doctrine on purgatory is well-founded and plausible, we should strive hard for holiness and perfection to enter straight into heaven at the end of our earthly life. This was because they were found to have disobeyed the Lord before their death. The Israelites interceded for Joshua and Moses after their death.
The commemoration also calls us to the life of righteousness. The book of Wisdom 3:1-9 says: “The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment will reach them“ This shows us there is hope of salvation after death. There is life after death. While they were alive, they were victims of sins, selfishness, and injustice. They are now in God’s hands in the hands of a father who is love and willing to forgive them. They have boundless mercy, death is not their end. When we die in friendship with God he rewards us with purification and immortality.
In baptism we share in Christ’s death so that we can share in his resurrection. Through our sufferings, sacrifices and endurance Paul tells us there is hope of enjoying God’s mercy and glory. We need continuous purification and repentance. Ezekiel 18:23.
So, united in prayer, let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ, who died and resurrected, to lead them to his kingdom, where we shall all gather one day to live forever. It is an act of kindness and charity to remember and Pray for the dead. It an act of charity to visit, Pray and take care of their graves. It is an act of faith and hope in Christ to preach righteousness and resurrection. This will help us to shine on his visitation to reign in his kingdom. Let us pray and therefore live meaningfully to be friends of God.
