Ancestral Wisdom: Remembering The Dead & Lessons from Kat Armas

In preparation for the recent Cooperative Baptist women clergy retreat I attended in Puerto Rico, we read a book I highly recommend titled, “Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence and Strength” by Kat Armas.

Kat is a Cuban American and it felt somehow meaningful to me to be reading and discussing this book during National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually between September 15 and October 15. What began as a weeklong celebration on September 15 in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, was lengthened to a month-long celebration by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Intentionally set to begin on or around Independence Day celebrations for a number of Latin American countries, the month-long celebration aims to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic people and culture in the shaping of our nation.

The importance of family and of ancestors is a strong theme in the life and culture of Hispanic people and in Kat Armas’ book, and I have found the reflection upon the meaning of family and the ways in which my familial and faith ancestors have influenced my life to be a meaningful exercise.

Kat, whose curiosity is active, asks in her book for her readers to consider the important life lessons that our ancestors taught us, as she suggests that perhaps

“the world’s greatest theologians are those whom the world wouldn’t consider theologians at all.” - Kat Armas

As we come to the end of October and the beginning of November, the calendar is awash with reminders of our ancestors. October 31, which many of us observe as a popular celebration of costumes and candy, while not directly connected to the Catholic holy days on November 1 and 2, is connected in name.

Since “hallowed” has the meaning of “holy” and “e’en” is a shortened version of evening, it is associated with a vigil on the eve before All Hallows Day or All Saints Day on November 1. This day involves remembrance of all the saints in heaven, whether they are known or unknown.

November 2 is All Souls Day in the Catholic Church and is a day to remember all those beloved who have died. Catholic Christians pray for souls who they believe are in purgatory, a place of final preparation for heaven, and Protestants who do not believe in purgatory simply pray for eternal peace for family members and friends who have died.

Another calendar date reminding us of ancestors is the increasingly popular Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, most famously observed in Mexico, when celebrants honor those who are no longer with us by creating altars and “ofrendas,” or offerings, with the deceased ancestors’ favorite things on display.

The ceremony includes engaging in heartfelt conversations with the dead. Blending both indigenous and Catholic traditions in this ancient ritual to honor and connect with ancestors who have died, it is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2.

The intent of the day is creatively captured in the Pixar movie, “Coco.” We see that it is the dead who are remembering the living as they return to earth to receive the welcome of those they have left behind. Those who participate in Day of the Dead celebrations say they are not sad, but joyful, and encourage ongoing ties with those dearly departed that we will always love and remember.

I am reminded of a beautiful poem written by Donna Ashworth, a Sunday Times bestselling Scottish poet, that was shared with me by the brave young adult daughter of a mother who died too soon. Titled, “The Living,” I believe it poignantly portrays the connection honored in Día de los Muertos:

The living wish the dead peace,

And the dead wish the living that, too.

The living wish the dead no pain,

And the dead wish the living that, too.

The living wish the dead great joy,

And the dead wish the living that, too.

The living wish the dead alive again,

And the dead wish the living that, too.

The ancient Celtic festival of Samhain is yet another important event that honors and celebrates ancestors during these few days at the October/November transition. Because Celtic days began and ended at sundown, it was celebrated on October 31-November 1, and marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. According to the History Channel website, “celebrants believe that during Samhain, the barrier between the physical and spirit worlds breaks down, allowing greater interaction between humans and the inhabitants of the Otherworld.”

At an annual Samhain celebration in the parish hall of Mother Grove Goddess Temple in Asheville, North Carolina, participants were encouraged to speak the name of the loved one they were holding in their hearts, read prepared passages, and chant together. Speaking the name of those who have died can be healing, and being in the presence of others who are remembering their beloved who have died can help alleviate the feeling of aloneness that we can experience in our grief.

Kat Armas encourages us to connect with our ancestors. And I believe her sage advice is helpful. We need to look back from time to time and appreciate those upon whose shoulders we stand, and perhaps recall the strength and resilience that they demonstrated to come through life’s difficulties. Maybe some of us will do this as the calendar invites.

But I am grateful to Kat Armas not only for this encouragement to look back, but for the encouragement she gives me about our collective future. Her brilliance and courage has been noticed by many, including Pope Leo XIV, who much to her surprise, quoted her in an article in “Newsweek” magazine.

It is my prayer that more of us will take notice of her wisdom to find within ourselves the strength and hope of our ancestors even as we learn from the youth in our midst and take heart in these challenging days.

Rev. Candace McKibben

October 30, 2025