PHOTOS | Surrounded by a Cloud of Witnesses: Memorial Day Mass at Mt. Olivet and St. Simeon Catholic Cemeteries
- Guest Contributor
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
By Erin Scherer
“It’s such a blessing to be able to come here together with brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for those clouds of witnesses we have with the Lord,” said Kateri Williams, reflecting upon the Memorial Day Mass at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, where her parents and other family members are buried. “It’s just a beautiful day, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to do this every year.”
Perhaps it was this very cloud of witnesses that kept the other threatening clouds in check on this rainy three-day weekend to create beautiful weather for the outdoor Mass, a tradition held for more than 100 years.
Monsignor Bernie Schmitz couldn’t help but echo Williams’ sentiment as he celebrated the Mass at Gallagher Chapel, located in the same section where his fellow priests, including his first pastors and classmates from long ago, are buried.
While remembering loved ones, he also invited all those gathered to pray for the cloud of witnesses who are unknown, whose remains were never found or those buried at sea, like his aunt’s first husband, coming home from World War II.
“Probably like you, I have a whole list of people every morning that I pray for besides my parents and other people that I know,” Msgr. Schmitz shared. “But there are also some veterans who are not known, who died giving their lives for the country, whose remains maybe never were discovered.”
Before the final blessing, he asked those gathered to stand and pray a Hail Mary, Our Father and Glory Be “especially for the repose of the souls of those who are unknown, of those who have no one to pray for them.”
Monsignor Schmitz recognized, “It’s also a day for us to look to and prepare our own hearts for our encounter with the Lord.” We should all desire to be a part of this cloud of witnesses when our time comes, he said.
To help us on this journey, Msgr. Schmitz encouraged the faithful to remember the teachings of St. Phillip Neri, whose feast coincided with Memorial Day.
“Live with hospitality for God’s word; live with hope in God; and live with a detachment to the things that the world says will make us happy and cling to the one who will give us true happiness,” he shared in his homily.
(Photo courtesy of Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of Colorado)
It is powerful to experience a Mass at a cemetery, surrounded by so many who have gone before us and recognizing our own mortality.
Deborah Price, a parishioner at Cure d’Ars and whose family members are buried at Mt. Olivet, makes a point to attend the Mass every time she is in town.
“I always love when I can make it here because it’s such a warm feeling that I can be with my loved ones again, and it takes some of the scariness about death out of it,” she told the Denver Catholic. “It’s good that it lets me know that God is with me here still, and afterwards.”
The threatening weather did not keep enthusiastic faithful away.
“I’ve been coming to this Mass since I was two years old,” shared Lisa Daley. More than fifty years later, she still makes a point to attend. “It’s such a beautiful tradition! I love this Mass!”
Across town, a small but mighty crowd filled the chapel at St. Simeon Catholic Cemetery in Aurora for the annual Memorial Day Mass as well.
Father John Craig, SJ, chaplain at Buckley Space Force Base, celebrated the Mass at St. Simeon and recognized those who gave their lives in service to their country, as well as the entire cloud of witnesses.
He specifically reflected upon the first responders who went to the Twin Towers on 9/11, as well as St. Maximilian Kolbe, who “laid down his own life for the father and husband who was going to be executed … All the different people that have gone before us that literally did what Jesus said, which is to lay down our lives for our friends.”
During the prayers of the faithful, Father Craig created space for those present to pray for their departed loved ones aloud. With confidence and gratitude, voices filled the chapel with name after name as the community lifted each up in prayer.
“There are a lot of people to remember on this day and to be thankful for,” noted Father Craig.
A tight-knit group of military families who regularly attend Mass at Buckley remained afterwards, reminiscing and enjoying each other’s company. Carmen Burnett, known to her friends as “Trouble,” smiled and joked as a tear welled up in her eye. Remembering her husband of sixty years, an Army medic who served in Vietnam, Korea and Guam, she pulled out a tattered memorial folder she kept in her purse during the Mass.
“I’m just learning of all the things he did. I never knew!” she told the Denver Catholic.
For some, it was their first Memorial Day Mass experience.
Laurie Nash recently learned about it from a fellow parishioner at St. James Parish in Denver.
“I have a military family, so I thought it’s a great way to come out and start a Memorial Day!” she shared. “It was beautiful! Thanks for doing this!”
Deacon Craig Fucci, chaplain at Buckley Space Force Base, also served at the Mass.
“I just think that it’s very important for all of us to remember those who gave their lives so that we could be free, and this is just a little way for us to express that gratitude,” he reflected.
Both Father Craig and Deacon Fucci have been celebrating and serving at the annual Memorial Day Mass at St. Simeon Catholic Cemetery for many years.
“It’s a privilege to be able to come over and celebrate,” says Father Craig.
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For more information on Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, please visit www.cfcscolorado.org.
