Bishop Boyea Argues for Praying for the Holy Souls via Mass

Bishop Earl Boyea Calls for Prayers for the Deceased During Month of the Holy Souls

In a personal reflection shared through the Diocese of Lansing, Bishop Earl Boyea is calling on the faithful to dedicate time this November to praying for the departed. Writing as part of his “Year of the Family” initiative, Boyea emphasized the spiritual importance of remembering deceased family members and friends during what is traditionally recognized as the Month of the Holy Souls.

Privileged to offer a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit at Saint Mary Cathedral in Lansing to mark the new school year. Thank you to the hundreds of students, staff, and clergy who were present, representing all the schools across the Diocese of Lansing. Holy Mary, Seat of Wisdom,… pic.twitter.com/w8K5U4pvWn

— https://x.com/BishopBoyea/status/2103221387707965757

The Bishop’s message, released on Tuesday, November 3, 2026—the Feast of Saint Martin de Porres—serves as the ninth week of his ongoing thematic series. Boyea frames the act of prayer not merely as a ritual, but as a vital connection to those who have passed, specifically addressing the theological concept of Purgatory and the role of the living in assisting the souls of the dead.

Boyea grounded his appeal in personal experience, noting that despite being in his mid-seventies, he was fortunate enough to have both parents in his life until very recently. He shared that his mother passed away three years ago at the age of 92, while his father died last year at the age of 96. He described his recent pilgrimage to their graves at Calvary Cemetery in Cheboygan as a way to honor that connection.

The Theological Connection to Purgatory

The Bishop addressed the inherent uncertainty regarding the final state of the deceased, noting that while hope for heaven is a primary motivator, certainty is generally reserved only for those saints publicly canonized by the Church. He explained that for the majority of the faithful, the focus remains on the state of grace at the time of death.

According to Boyea, even those who die in a state of grace may require a period of purification before they are ready to “see the Face of God.” He identified this period as Purgatory, describing the souls within it as being both “suffering yet hopeful.” The crux of his argument is that these souls rely on the prayers of the living to assist in their preparation.

“Those suffering yet hopeful souls in Purgatory need our prayers. And so to my challenge to you this week: During this month of the Holy Souls, ask your local priest to offer Holy Mass for somebody who has died.”

Boyea suggested that the scope of these prayers should extend beyond immediate family. He encouraged the community to consider deceased friends or even individuals who may have died without anyone left to pray for them.

Practical Steps for Requesting a Mass

For those looking to act on this call, Boyea outlined a straightforward process for engaging with local parishes. He noted that requesting a Mass for a specific intention or a deceased individual is a standard practice within the Church.

Contact the Parish: Reach out to the local parish office directly.
Provide Details: Give the office the name of the deceased individual.
Make the Request: Explicitly ask that a Holy Mass be offered for them.

Regarding the financial aspect of these requests, the Bishop clarified that while it is customary to provide a small monetary gift, it is not a requirement. He stated that such gifts are not “buying a Mass,” but rather serve as a way to support the local priest and the ongoing work of the parish. He characterized the practice as a “nice custom to observe” rather than a mandatory transaction.

The Bishop concluded his message by emphasizing that there is no prayer more powerful than the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, reiterating the spiritual weight of the request made to the community during this liturgical season.