Dead Friend Saints

Hey there! my name is Claire Ellendson and I host a podcast called Dead Friend Saints.

I’m a Minnesota girl born and raised into a loving (and huge) Catholic family. I have always loved being Catholic and as a teenager felt at home in my youth group community but struggled with feelings of inadequacy when it came to having a personal relationship with God. I didn’t understand how I could possibly be worth His time. I always loved hearing about the lives of the saints and I especially gravitated towards the virgin martyrs. I was amazed by how brave these young women were and drew a lot of inspiration from their willingness to give their whole lives over in the love of God and His Church. It’s unlikely that I would be burned at the stake (or beheaded, or drown in the Tiber River, etc.)

so how could I earn salvation?…

The answer is, WE DON’T.

We can’t earn salvation for ourselves no matter how amazing things you’re capable of. God’s love for is is a free gift. My understanding of the Saints was reframed when I grew in my relationship with Jesus Christ as my redeemer. The Saints didn’t become who they were in order to earn heaven. They each relied on Jesus through their imperfections and their brokenness. As a result, the Lord worked powerfully in their lives. As I grew up, I continued to draw inspiration from the holy men and women who have gone before us in the walk of faith.

I started this podcast because I find that thinking of the saints as human beings with quirks and weaknesses is a way that I can remember that, through God’s grace, holiness is attainable for me too. So cozy up and spend some time with me talking about some of my dearest Dead Friends!