How did the early Christians' care for their dead revolutionize Roman culture, and what can the Roman catacombs teach us about historical belief in purgatory and the resurrection of the body? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes Church historian, author, and speaker Mike Aquilina (fathersofthechurch.com) to discuss the ancient roots of Catholic burial customs and prayers for the faithful departed.

Aquilina contrasts the Roman custom of cremation with Jewish and early Christian burial traditions, explaining that Christian care for mortal remains was grounded in the firm professing of the resurrection of the body. He describes how pagan Romans began imitating Christian burial practices as a visible testimony of love, leading to massive public works such as the excavation of the Roman catacombs. Aquilina highlights unique early liturgical customs—such as burying bodies facing east toward Christ's return—as concrete acts of faith rather than mere superstition.

Turning to the month of November and the Holy Souls in Purgatory, Aquilina reflects on St. Augustine's treatise On Care to Be Had for the Dead and notes how many prominent ancient witnesses to purgatory were holy women, including St. Perpetua, St. Monica, and St. Macrina. Describing ancient graffiti scratched into the plaster of 3rd- and 4th-century catacombs asking for prayers and intercessions for deceased loved ones, Aquilina demonstrates that the Catholic Church's ongoing practice of praying for the dead during Holy Mass directly continues the devotion of the earliest believers. Stream now to listen!