Heroes, Mentors and People We Look Up To 

A Reflection on All Souls/Saints Day 

The Benedictine Sister, Joan Chittester offers this quote from her book 38 Personal Stories to Transform a Life, “The truth is, that is important to know who our heroes are and what it is that binds us to them if we ourselves are to form a sense of self.” She shares this quote from her Vision and Viewpoint weekly newsletter on October 27, 2025, and it got me thinking.  

I grew up in the 80’s when Christopher Reeve embodied Superman on the big screen, and I admired him so much that I had two posters from Superman I and II hanging on my bedroom wall. My cousins and I would draw pictures of Superman, challenging each other to see who could capture his likeness best. As a kid, Superman seemed like the ultimate hero—someone with incredible strength and a deep sense of justice. Yet, in my real life, my Grandpa Bud was the true hero I looked up to. Although I didn’t fully understand all he had done during World War II in the Pacific until I reached high school and beyond, his easygoing nature and ever-present smile hinted at a quiet strength and wisdom. Over time, I realized that while fictional heroes can inspire us, it’s the real-life role models my Grandpa Bud who shape our sense of self and teach us what heroism truly means. 

In this post, as we consider those we have lost over the last year, I want to focus specifically on those we lost who were mentors to us and why mentorship and having a a hero is still important today.  

The Meaning of Heroism 

We must consider the word hero and define what makes one a hero. I feel that the word and defining characteristics are subjective in nature. As a military veteran, I will borrow from what I know – the qualifications for the Medal of Honor: 

“The Medal of Honor is awarded to U.S. military service members who demonstrate conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their life above and beyond the call of duty, typically during combat. The act must occur while engaged in action against an enemy or during military operations involving conflict with opposing forces.”  

While not everyone serves in the miliary and this award is very lofty, I do think there are some elements of this definition that we can pick out – one who goes above and beyond the ordinary, takes extraordinary risks.  

I do know that my grandpa walked away with at least a bronze star for his time in the Pacific. Later in life I would read the book Voices of the Pacific by Adam Makos and watched Flags of Our Fathers. In these two pieces, I learned more intimately the challenges my grandfather faced while a soldier in the Pacific Islands. Just recently, I learned that my Grandpa was a forward observer, further elevating my respect for him.  

We all need heroes both real life and fictional. Having both in our lives Both fictional and play a critical role in shaping our identity and values. Fictional heroes ignite our imagination and encourage us to dream big, while real-life heroes ground those dreams, showing us how to embody courage and compassion in our everyday lives. As we grow, we often move from idolizing distant, larger-than-life figures to recognizing and appreciating the mentors and role models among us. These individuals teach us the true meaning of heroism—not through grand gestures, but through consistent acts of kindness, moral strength, and support. By reflecting on both types of heroes, we form a richer, more nuanced sense of self and a deeper understanding of what it means to live with purpose and integrity. 

Mentors We Have Lost 

All Saints or All Souls Day is a day to remember those who have gone before us. In the Benedictine tradition that I am part of; they read daily those whom we have lost in the community. It is a reminder that we always have a model to reflect on and at some level, someone has been where are at some point.  

They say hindsight is 20/20 and looking back at the people who mentored me the most, I understand they must have had a deep well of patience to deal with my ADHD shenanigans. Patience and firmness are characteristics I remember most. I was a very trying adolescent and young adult.  

Mentors play a quiet but profound role in our lives, guiding us through uncertainties and helping us see our strengths when we might overlook them ourselves. Their wisdom often comes not only from their successes but also from their willingness to share mistakes and lessons learned along the way. In remembering those we have lost, especially the mentors who shaped us, we recognize the enduring value of their presence and how their influence continues to ripple outward, inspiring us to be mentors for others. The threads of mentorship and heroism are interwoven—both call us to step beyond ourselves, to offer encouragement, and to help others find their way. As we honor these individuals during All Souls and All Saints Day, we are reminded to cherish their memory, carry forward their example, and seek opportunities to guide and support those who follow in our footsteps. 

Honoring Heroes and Mentors on All Souls/Saints Day 

Both All Souls and All Saints Day celebrate those who have shaped our lives, much like bodhisattvas in Buddhist tradition—individuals who dedicate themselves to helping others reach enlightenment. By drawing parallels, we can appreciate the universal desire to recognize kindness and selflessness across cultures. To honor these important figures, consider lighting a candle in their memory, writing a letter of thanks, or gathering friends and family to share anecdotes about the impact they’ve had. Such acts not only memorialize our heroes but also inspire us to cultivate compassion and gratitude in our own lives, encouraging personal growth and deeper connections within our communities. 

A picture of my grandpa hangs on a cork board in my office. It is a picture of him at some time and some place in the Pacific. Hands on his hips, a uniform slightly too big for him with that characteristic smile of his. I encourage you to get out your old picture books and tell the stories to you kids this year for All Saints Day.  

Conclusion 

We all have the capacity for sainthood and mentorship. If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you are a saint. You are a holy person.  We are not solo saints. There is no such thing from a biblical perspective. Rather, as a saint, you have been joined to the family of all saints, including those who live around the world and those who have gone to be with the Lord. Therefore, on All Saints Day, it is a perfect time to remember that God has made you special for him and his purposes, and that he has joined you into the eternal, worldwide fellowship of all his saints. Moreover, it’s a good day to take seriously the fact that God wants to make himself known in this world through you as a member of the family of all saints. 

I invite you as you read these words and celebrate this week to remember those who have inspired you and continue to inspire you.  As members of the body of Christ and the Commonwealth of God, we must work together to lift each other up.