Remembering the Faithful Departed

Saint Memory Match

Begin the session with a simple and engaging icebreaker called “Memory Match.”

You’ll need index cards with the names or pictures of well-known saints written on one set, and matching cards with short facts about each saint on the other set. Spread the cards face down on a table or floor, and let the youth take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find the correct matches. When a match is found, take a moment to read the fact aloud.

This game helps youth begin to think about the lives of holy people who have gone before us in faith. It sets the tone for the deeper conversation about remembering the faithful departed.

Learn more about the Saint Memory Match game and download printable cards for 20 saints here.

That was fun—and maybe a little challenging too! It’s interesting how much we can learn just by playing a simple game. Each of those saints was a real person. They lived, they faced struggles, and they followed Jesus with their whole heart. Now the Church remembers them, honors them, and calls them saints.

What we just did connects directly to what we’re talking about today. Saints are people who have died and are now in heaven with God. But they are still close to us. We don’t forget them. In fact, we ask them to pray for us. They are part of the Communion of Saints, and we are part of that same family of faith.

Now we’re going to look at what Jesus says about life after death. We’ll read a short Gospel passage where He talks about the promise of eternal life. As we read, think about what it means to believe that death isn’t the end. Think about how that hope changes how we live, how we pray, and how we remember the people we’ve loved and lost. Let’s listen to the words of Jesus together.

Read John 6:37-40 (The Promise of Eternal Life), the Gospel for All Souls Day:

Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

John 6:37-40

Death can feel confusing or even scary. When someone we love dies, we might feel sadness, anger, or emptiness. We might not know what to do with those feelings. The Church doesn’t ignore death. Instead, it gives us something real to hold onto—hope in eternal life and the deep truth that love never ends. That’s what the lesson of All Souls Day is about.

As Catholics, we set aside November 2 to remember and pray for all those who have died. We don’t just look back with sadness. We look forward with faith. On All Souls Day, we remember that those who have died are still connected to us through Christ. We believe that our prayers can help them. We believe that they are not lost. They are still part of our family, just in a different way.

You might already know about All Saints Day, which is the day before. That’s when we celebrate all the saints in heaven. These are the holy men and women who lived faithful lives and are now with God. We ask them to pray for us. We try to follow their example. All Souls Day is different. It’s not about people who have already reached heaven. It’s about those who are on the way there. They may be in purgatory, being made ready to see God face to face. And this is where our prayers come in.

The Church teaches that we are all part of something called the Communion of Saints. That means we are united with all believers—those who are alive, those who have died, and those already in heaven. We are still one Church. Death doesn’t break those bonds. Love doesn’t stop just because someone dies. When you pray for someone who has died, you are showing love. You are saying, “I have not forgotten you. I still care.”

Purgatory can be a hard idea to understand. It’s not a place to fear. It’s not about punishment. It’s about healing and hope. If someone is in purgatory, they are on their way to heaven. They are just being cleansed or healed so they can be fully with God. Think of it like getting ready to enter a beautiful, holy place—you want to be fully clean and ready. God helps the soul get there, and our prayers help too.

Maybe you’ve lost someone—a grandparent, a friend, a teacher, or someone from your parish. You might miss them. You might wonder what happened to them. The Church doesn’t give all the answers, but it does give us this: you can pray for them. You can light a candle, say a prayer, or offer a Mass for them. You can even just sit in silence and talk to God about them. That’s a real and good thing to do. It’s an act of mercy.

This is a way to live your faith. It’s not just about what we believe—it’s about how we act. When you pray for the dead, you are living out your Catholic faith in a powerful way. You are helping someone take one step closer to heaven. That’s something real. That’s something you can do right now.

Even if you don’t fully understand purgatory or eternal life, you can still pray. You can still love. And that matters. Love doesn’t stop. It changes, but it doesn’t end. The Church wants you to know that your prayers make a difference. They bring peace to others, and they bring peace to you.

So during this season—especially around All Souls Day—take some time to remember those who have died. Pray for them. Say their name. Light a candle. Offer a Mass. You are part of the Communion of Saints. You are part of something much bigger than yourself. And even when we face death, we are never alone.

In small groups, give everyone a chance to speak, but don’t force anyone to share. Encourage honest, respectful conversation. Remind the group that there are no “wrong” answers. Some youth may be thinking about loved ones who have died. Be gentle. Listen with care. Let the Holy Spirit guide the conversation.

• Who is someone you remember who has died? What do you remember most about them?
• Have you ever prayed for someone who died? What did that feel like?
• What do you think happens after we die?
• What does it mean to you that we are still connected to those who have died?
• How do you feel when you hear that purgatory is a place of hope, not fear?
• Why do you think praying for the dead is called an act of mercy?
• How does this lesson help you understand God’s love and care for all people?
• What is one thing you want to do this week to remember or pray for someone who has died?

This week, think of someone you know who has died. It might be a grandparent, a friend, a neighbor, or someone from your church. Say their name in your heart. Let yourself remember them. Then, make a promise to pray for them every day this week. You don’t need fancy words. Just talk to God. You can say something simple like, “Lord, please take care of them,” or pray, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.” Each time you pray, you are showing love that reaches beyond death.

You might also want to light a candle at home or at church as a sign of your prayer. You could pray for them during Mass, especially when the priest offers prayers for the dead. These small actions mean something. They show mercy. They connect you to that person and to the whole Church. Most of all, they show that love never ends—and that your faith is something you can live out, one prayer at a time.

Before we end, let’s take a moment to be still. Close your eyes if you’d like. Think of someone you know who has died. Picture their face. Remember something kind or joyful about them. If you didn’t know them well, simply lift their name up to God. Now, together, we pray—not just for them, but for all the souls in purgatory, and for everyone who has gone before us in faith. We pray as part of the Church, part of God’s family, united in love.

Let us pray for all the souls in purgatory and those who have gone before us in faith.

All:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

Lord, we trust in your mercy.
We believe that you welcome each soul with love.
We pray for those still being prepared for heaven.
May our prayers help them, may our love reach them.
And may we always remember that you are with us in life and in death.

All: Amen.

Themes

• Communion of Saints: We are united with all members of the Church—those in heaven, those in purgatory, and those on earth. We pray for each other. This shows that God’s family is always connected.
• Praying for the Dead: We believe our prayers can help the souls of the faithful departed. This is a way to love and support them. It brings peace to both the living and the dead.
• Eternal Life with God: Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in Him. This gives us hope when someone we love dies. We trust that death is not the end.
• Purgatory is Healing: Purgatory is not punishment. It is a time of being made ready for heaven. God is preparing souls to fully be with Him.
• Love Continues After Death: Love does not stop when someone dies. We still care for them and remember them. Praying is one way to show that love.
• Mercy and Forgiveness: God is full of mercy and wants to forgive. Our prayers for others ask God to help them. This teaches us to be kind and hopeful.
• Power of Prayer: Prayer is real and it matters. When we pray for someone who has died, we are doing something good. It is a work of mercy.
• Trust in Jesus: Jesus tells us He will not lose anyone the Father gives Him. We can trust that He is caring for our loved ones. This gives comfort and strength.
• Importance of Remembrance: Remembering the dead is part of our Catholic life. It keeps their memory alive in a holy way. It helps us reflect on our own lives too.
• Hope Beyond the Grave: We believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. This helps us not to fear death. We look forward to the joy of heaven.
• The Role of the Church: The Church prays for the dead in every Mass. We join with the whole Church when we do this. It reminds us we are not alone.

Background Material

The Catholic Church teaches that death is not the end of our story. We believe in life after death and the hope of being with God forever. This hope comes from Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “This is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day” (John 6:40). Jesus came to save us and bring us to eternal life. Because of this, we do not face death with fear, but with trust in God.

We also believe that our connection to one another does not end with death. The Church teaches the Communion of Saints. This means all believers—those in heaven, in purgatory, and on earth—are united in Christ. We are still one family in faith. Because of this, we pray for the souls of those who have died. We believe our prayers can help them as they prepare to be with God in heaven. This is a deep act of love.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this clearly. It says, “From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God” (CCC 1032). The Church has done this for many centuries. We do it today, especially on All Souls Day.

Purgatory is also part of this teaching. It is not a punishment, but a place of hope. Some souls need to be purified before they can see God. Our prayers can help them during this time. This belief is based on both Scripture and tradition. In 2 Maccabees 12:46, we read that it is “a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” Even though this book is not in all Christian Bibles, the Catholic Church accepts it as part of Scripture.

All Souls Day is the special day we set aside to pray for those who have died. We remember them in love. We ask God to bring them peace and rest. We can do this by going to Mass, lighting a candle, or simply saying a prayer. These actions remind us that we are not alone. They remind us that God is always with us and with those we love.

This lesson plan helps youth understand these teachings in a simple and clear way. It gives them a chance to ask questions and grow in faith. It helps them see that prayer matters and that they can take part in the work of mercy. Praying for the dead is one way we show our love and trust in God’s promises. It helps us remember that life is a journey toward heaven.

Music Suggestions

• I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say by the Hillbilly Thomists
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives by Scott Soper
• Guardian’s Farewell by Catherine O’Connell

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

If you’re looking for more free lesson plans and reflections, visit our Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections page. You’ll find over 100 resources designed for youth ministers, catechists, and teachers. Each lesson includes discussion questions, prayer ideas, and challenges to help young people apply their faith in daily life.

Topics range from sacraments and Scripture to relationships and moral choices. These lessons are easy to use and adaptable for different groups. Explore the full collection to support your youth ministry efforts.