Little Rock shrine dedicated to ‘holy souls’

Liturgical artist’s basswood sculpture is the center of a sacred space for all souls

Published: October 31, 2015

By Aprille Hanson
Associate Editor

Aprille Hanson

A sculpture depicting Our Lady of the Holy Souls is displayed in a shrine at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock along with photos of deceased loved ones in the parish.

Aprille Hanson

A sculpture depicting Our Lady of the Holy Souls is displayed in a shrine at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock along with photos of deceased loved ones in the parish.

When the Eucharist was moved to the tabernacle inside the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, pastor Father Erik Pohlmeier had an unused space to create what has become The Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Souls.

“We wanted to use it as a place to pray for holy souls,” Father Pohlmeier said.

The conversation started around 2012 to dedicate the place to not only the church’s patron saint Mary, but as a sacred place where loved ones could come and pray for those who have died.

Well-known liturgical artist George Hoelzeman of Hattieville carved the naturally finished, solid basswood statue to embody the image of Our Lady of the Holy Souls. It took about seven months and stands 5 feet tall with a 3-foot-by-4-foot base.

“It is Mary embracing the souls of an old man, mother and child. … When you turn the corner it looks like Mary is looking at you,” Father Pohlmeier said. “The statue is in the center and there are niches for people to put photos of their loved ones who have died.”

Noting that there is no traditional image of Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Hoelzeman said the design was a collaborative effort with Father Pohlmeier and parishioners.

“Their input was critical to the success of the image since liturgical work must speak to and connect spiritually and sacramentally with both community and individual members of the community,” Hoelzeman said.

“Mary’s posture was suggested by the desire to have her both interceding and acting with motherly care for God’s children, which in a sense are also her children since by virtue of their baptism they are members of her son. Perhaps most poignantly, the mother with an infant was directly inspired by the parish support group for women who had lost children,” he said.

The chapel was officially dedicated and opened on All Souls Day last year and anyone is welcome to bring photos of their loved ones who have died.

There are 200 spaces for photos, which are rotated out as new ones come in. However, all the photos taken down are logged digitally and continue to be displayed in a digital frame, “so they are still in there,” Father Pohlmeier said.

Pastoral secretary Edna de Noble, who takes the time to dust the shelving and photos plus handles the rotations, said photos must be either 4 by 6 or 5 by 7. Frames are provided.

She said that her son died 20 years ago and being able to take care of the shrine and come to privately pray has been a blessing.

“He’s displayed here as well,” de Noble said. “You can sit here as long as you like and reflect and feel like they’re right here. It’s important to me; it makes me feel closer to my son.”

Families are allowed to light small candles and pamphlets and booklets are provided.

“It’s part of the mystery of faith. We do trust that God said our prayers for those who died matter,” Father Pohlmeier said. “Anyone who has lost someone can help them as they stand before God in judgment and enter into mercy.”