Catholic Momcast 423: Holy Souls and Saints

What does the life of a saint have to do with the way we live our lives today?

That question is at the heart of Back from the Dead, the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s annual candlelit Cemetery Walk returning this month. Led through historic St. Joseph’s Cemetery after dark, participants encounter saints and other figures from Catholic tradition who come to life and share stories that invite reflection on faith, mortality and eternal life.

The immersive experience will lead participants through reflections on the “Four Last Things” of Catholic teaching: death, judgment, heaven and hell. The walk addresses themes such as God’s infinite mercy & love, the struggle to avoid sin and live a virtuous life, following God’s will, serving the poor, and loving God in our neighbor. Rather than simply telling the stories of the saints, Back from the Dead invites participants to hear from the saints themselves and consider what their words and examples can teach us about how to live today as we make our way on the pilgrimage of life.

Today's guest, Erica Eschler, has helped bring the lives of the saints to life in unique ways. She has portrayed Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in the Shrine's Academy Alive living history program and serves as director of Back from the Dead, an immersive cemetery walk where saints and other figures from Catholic tradition share their stories and invite participants to reflect on faith, mortality and eternal life.

These experiences have given Erica a unique perspective on the struggles, choices and moments of faith that shaped the saints' lives. She could discuss how looking beyond the saints' halos can help Catholic mothers and families find encouragement in their own faith journeys, particularly through the example of Mother Seton, the first native-born saint to be canonized, who navigated motherhood, loss and tremendous personal change.

Links:

The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Back from the Dead