Faith and Resilience with Ellen Corcella

Holy Saturday – the Ultimate Wilderness


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Why do we rush past Holy Saturday on our way to Easter morning? In this powerful solo episode, Ellen Corcella invites us to slow down and contemplate the sacred "middle," that Holy day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. 

Companion Episode: This episode is part of the series Resilience: Finding Your Path through the WildernessEpisode #13: Resilience: Your Path through the Wilderness.


In This Episode

Part I: The Day Nobody Talks About: Why Holy Saturday is called "holy" if nothing is happening or does Holy Saturday represent the spiritual hell experienced after experiencing trauma? 

Part II: Key Takeaways for Spiritual Care: Holy Saturday as a model for supporting those in spiritual hell and why witnessing wounds is essential for true ministry


Key Themes

  • Holy Saturday as the space of trauma's aftermath
  • The necessity of not skipping the wilderness
  • Jesus as the ultimate wounded healer
  • The courage to witness wounds — our own and others'
  • Resurrection not as erasure, but as transformation with scars


Referenced Work

Shelley Rambo - Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining A groundbreaking theological work exploring the "middle" space between death and resurrection as the ground where trauma survivors live.


About Ellen Corcella

Ellen Corcella is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and host of the Faith & Resilience Podcast, which explores paths toward healing and hope while examining the sacred values that anchor us through life's challenges.

Connect with Ellen:

  • Website: www.ellencorcella.com
  • Newsletter: Sign up at www.ellencorcella.com
  • Email: [email protected]
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ellencorcella
  • Trauma Informed Resources: ellencorcella.com/help-ptsd-grief-trauma-suicide

Ellen's Book: Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma

  • Amazon: amazon.com/author/walk_with_me_ellen_corcella
  • BookBaby: store.bookbaby.com/book/walk-with-me2


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A Word from Ellen

"If you are in that place right now — in the middle, in the wilderness, unsure if resurrection is real or even possible for you — I want you to know that this podcast, this community of faithful listeners, is a place where your wounds are welcome. Where your questions are welcome. Where you don't have to pretend you've already arrived at Easter morning."


Until next time, may you be resilient in the struggle, and faithful in the serving.

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Faith and Resilience with Ellen CorcellaBy Ellen Corcella