The Church is made up of the Lord's disciples. 
Some are on pilgrimage on earth; 
others, already deceased, purify themselves in purgatory; 
while others already contemplate God in the joy of heaven.

But how does this union between the different members of the Church come about?
On the one hand, we can always pray to God for those 
who accompany us on our journey to heaven. 
This prayer of intercession expresses 
charity and fraternal love
 among Christians.

In the Holy Mass, we are united with our brothers and sisters 
"scattered throughout the world"  and also with those who are being purified 
and those who are glorified in heaven, so as to see in them the face of God. 

"The Church prays for the deceased in a particular way during Holy Mass. 
The priest states: “Be mindful, O Lord, of thy servants who have gone before
 us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. 
To these, O Lord, and to all that sleep in Christ, 
grant we beseech thee a place of refreshment,
light and peace” . 

"Remembering the faithful departed must not cause us to forget to 
also pray for the living,  who  face the trials of life each day.
 All of us, living and dead, are in communion, 
united in the community of those who have received Baptism,
 and of those who are nourished by the Body of Christ
 and form part of the great family of God. 
We are all the same family, united. 
For this reason we pray for each other".