Lincoln event examines the ‘Four Last Things’: death, judgment, heaven and hell
Southern Nebraska Register
Twenty adult actors and more than 25 support staff have prepared and volunteered for the second annual “Back From the Dead” (BFTD) cemetery walk at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 3880 L St., Lincoln.
Adults and older teens (15 and up) are invited to the walk as a way to help make Halloween once more a “Holy Evening” as the vigil before All Saints’ Day. Participants will be guided through the cemetery and encounter martyrs, saints, and others who have “come back from the dead” to speak with the living.
The event is a half-mile walk, held outdoors, in the dark, with a guide. The duration of the walk is approximately one hour and 20 minutes.
Walks will be available Oct. 23, 25, 26, and 27. Slots of 12 guests are available, departing at 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, 7 and 7:15 p.m. on each date.
Organizers caution the walk is not handicapped-accessible and may feel strenuous. People with poor night vision should not attend.
Accordingly, an indoor event with no walking is available. Presentations will be available on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. in the St. Charbel Chapel on the Calvary Cemetery grounds. The chapel is handicapped accessible.
Cheryl Winter of St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln started the BFTD walk at Calvary Cemetery last year, with the help of family and friends. Two years ago, she explained, her family took just such a walk in Emmitsburg, Md., where her son, Father Evan Winter, had attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. Father Evan Winter is now pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Minden. His brother, Father Dominic Winter, is assistant pastor of Cristo Rey Parish in Lincoln, and participated in the BFTD walk last year as Blessed Miguel Pro.
Cheryl Winter described the moving experience.
“Flickering lamp in hand, our guide took us through the beautiful, historic cemetery where St. Mother Ann Seton is buried,” Winter explained. “In this peaceful setting, we were warned to remember our death and to prepare for it. Characters along the path taught us about God’s providence, mercy and love, as well as the courage of the martyrs, the holiness of the saints, and the reality that we could lose our soul. The walk was a living catechesis, based on the Catholic Faith, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the living tradition of the saints.”
The BFTD walk was created by Father Brian Nolan, who is currently pastor of St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Frederick, Md. He created the walk to teach college students and others about the faith, and to answer their questions regarding the afterlife. All scripts used by BFTD actors have been given an imprimatur – permission to be printed – by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore. It has also been given a “nihil obstat” – indicating it contains nothing contrary to Church doctrine – from Msgr. Steven Rohlfs, former rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary.
Father Nolan said the “Back from the Dead” cemetery walk will “give you a holy fear of the things you should be afraid of and a great love of Heaven.”
Winter found the experience transformative, and she wasn’t alone.
“All who participate in ‘Back From the Dead’ leave the event different from when they came, whether in their mental, emotional or spiritual state,” said Rebecca Corbell, associate director of programs at the Seton Shrine where the Maryland walks are held. “People have actually converted as a result of their experiences.”
“Our family was so moved by the walk,” Winter said, “that we approached Msgr. Timothy Thorburn, director of Calvary Cemetery in Lincoln, and asked if we could bring the ‘Back From the Dead’ walk to Lincoln.”
She said he listened to the family’s proposal, read through the entire script, and “became very enthusiastic about the project.” Thus, the first Lincoln Back From the Dead’ (BFTD) walk at Calvary debuted last fall.
Several adults shared their thoughts with Winter, calling it reverent, inspiring and thought-provoking. Participants said they thought of their own life and eventual death, and felt closer to the saints. Winter said she hopes more people will consider attending to “take back this time of year, to give glory and honor to Christ.”
The “Back From the Dead” cemetery walk is free, but space is limited. Participants must have a ticket to attend. To sign up for the event, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive a Sign-up Genius link to reserve departure date and time.
Free-will offerings will be accepted. The Lincoln Cemetery Walk is sponsored in part by Butherus, Maser and Love Funeral Home, Speidell Monuments, Roper and Sons Funeral Home, and Gloria Deo.
Priests will be available to hear confessions each evening of the event on the cemetery grounds.
See also: Calvary Cemetery plans events
