Don’t stand idle during Holy Week

DENVER, CO - APRIL 3: Cross bearer Matthew Gear (C-R)leads a group of the faithful including Fr. Michael Carvill (R) up the stairs at the RTD bus stop near Broadway and Colfax Avenue during a Way of the Cross March on Good Friday on April 3, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic)

Holy Week is upon us, and we Catholics sure are lucky to have a wealth of ways to truly live out and participate in this most important time of the liturgical year.

While it can be tempting to say you’re “too busy” to attend a Good Friday liturgy or partake in a Way of the Cross procession, consider this: Jesus Christ wasn’t “too busy” to be nailed to a cross and die for our salvation. Harsh words, but they’re the truth. As any priest will say, there is nothing more important one could do during Holy Week than to truly reflect and enter into the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Archdiocese of Denver is home to a variety of events meant to draw the faithful nearer to Christ during this time. The yearly Chrism Mass happens at the Cathedral, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary holds a moving Tenebrae celebration that’s open to the public, and parishes have many events of their own. Here are a few ideas if you’re looking a deeper Holy Week experience.

Chrism Mass (4/11)

Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St., Denver, 11 a.m.

Holy Thursday (4/13)

SJV Tenebrae (4/13-4-15)

Christ the King Chapel, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, 5:30 a.m. on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday

Good Friday (4/14)

Passion plays/Way of the Cross processions

Saint Joseph, 623 Fox St., Denver, CO 80204, 6 p.m.

Holy Rosary, 4688 Pearl St., Denver, CO 80216, 8 p.m.

Saint Anthony of Padua, 3801 W. Ohio Ave., Denver, CO 80219, 12 p.m.

Sacred Heart of Jesus. 1318 Mapleton Ave., Boulder, CO 80304. 6 p.m.

Saint Therese, 1243 Kingston St., Aurora, CO 80010. 6 p.m.

Holy Name, 3290 W. Milan Ave., Sheridan, 7 p.m.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, 11385 Grant Dr., Northglenn, 1 p.m.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1209 W. 36th Ave., Denver. 11 a.m.

Communion & Liberation, Beginning at 1449 Lincoln St., Denver, 80203, 11:45 a.m.