Saints, Stories and Sacred Ground: A Unique Catholic Encounter in Denver

Annual Night at the Cemetery events at Mt. Olivet Cemetery invite Catholics of all ages to encounter the truth that eternal life is more than an idea — it’s a promise.

(Photo provided)

By Erin Scherer

Candles lit the paths of Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wheat Ridge this September as youth, families and adults — some traveling from as far away as Cheyenne, Fort Collins and Evergreen — gathered for Night at the Cemetery and Brew Night at the Cemetery.

Hosted by Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of Colorado (CFCS), the annual events are designed to foster a deeper encounter with Christ through the witness of the saints and the transcendent beauty of the sacred ground.

“We are all walking amongst saints,” said St. Thérèse of Lisieux, portrayed by Sarah Schumacher, business manager at CFCS. “We don’t know who our future saints are, and it could be you!”

A Sacred Encounter

“Our desire is for people to come to the cemetery and, by way of its beauty and the stories of the saints, have a profound experience of God,” explained Gary Schaaf, executive director of CFCS.

The evenings culminated in an outdoor candlelight Mass at Gallagher Chapel, where Denver’s former bishops and archbishops are interred. For many, it was a moving reminder of eternal life and the communion of saints.

“It was a really unique experience,” said Gwen Wise of Holy Trinity Parish in Westminster. “I’ve been to the cemetery many times during the day, visiting the graves of my relatives. But being here at night, encountering the saints, and the experience of being at the crypt with the bishops, especially Bishop Machebeuf, at night, attending Mass — it was really, really wonderful.”

Carson Logan, a middle school math teacher at Assumption Catholic School in Denver, added, “It was a beautiful evening and a neat opportunity to experience the saints and share worship with my students.”

“I felt so blessed and I was so grateful to our Lord so many times throughout the night,” said Kenna Knight of Holy Trinity. “It was such a blessing to so many!”

“Mass was wonderful with the candles, and all the actors were totally moving!” said Kate Rudmann, a NET Missionary serving Light of the World and St. Frances Cabrini parishes in Littleton. “It was just beautiful to walk through the cemetery — you could tell, there’s peace here.”

Saints Who Speak to Today

Attendees walked among live portrayals of saints, prophets and martyrs whose lives proclaimed the Gospel in their own times.

“We desire for those who have come to these events to get the sense of the power of the saints — those we know and those we don’t,” explained Schaaf.

The Prophet Elijah, played by Dr. Shawn Mollenhauer, challenged visitors to recognize the “false gods” of today: “Gods like money, gods like power, even yourselves, some of you.”

Luna Novoa-Otero, a funeral director at Mt. Olivet who represented St. Joan of Arc, said the portrayals are an extension of CFCS’ ministry.

“When we portray different saints representing strength, virtue, steadfastness and even a little humor, people will be able to receive the word of God in a way that might be more digestible to them,” she explained.

“The God we serve, whether it be here at the mortuary, at our parish or in our everyday lives, is a God of love, mercy and truth,” she continued. “If these portrayals help those who feel lost, we have accomplished our mission of filling the void of loss with faith.”

New Catholic Lennon Jones was especially moved.

“The Mass itself was really beautiful, and it was neat to get to hear about the saints! I didn’t have Jesus for the first 40 years of my life, so it’s really neat to come to events like this,” he shared.

“Secular society often views the Gospel as archaic, irrelevant or unrelatable to those seeking an escape from the present moment,” said Gabriel Negri, funeral director and portrayer of St. Oscar Romero. “But this is not so. The saints lived the Gospel in their present moment. They reveal his presence in the now; the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Lessons for All Ages

Young people were especially drawn to the evenings’ blend of reverence and engagement.

“It was really fun and entertaining to walk around and hear about the saints and the cemetery!” said Atarah Alcaraz of Assumption Parish in Denver. “I loved the outdoor Mass!”

“I like how interactive the saints were!” added Kendra Powers of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Collins. “They were really nice about letting you hold their props and ask questions.”

Others found themselves unexpectedly enriched.

“The people who portrayed the saints were outstanding, and I learned something from every single one of them!” said Kay Morrow of Notre Dame Parish in Denver, before her husband chimed in with a laugh: “And she’s a cradle Catholic!”

History and Sacred Ground

In addition to the saints, attendees were also introduced to the history of Mt. Olivet, which has served as the Archdiocese of Denver’s cemetery for 130 years.

“It was a really cool experience to be able to take people through and talk about why we do what we do,” said Calvin Downs, a family service advisor who led tours. “It was also a chance to share a bit about the history of this sacred place.”

“I really liked the details about the different people that are buried here, the interment of the Sisters of Loreto, and about how the cemetery works,” said Fernanda Powers of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Collins.

“I was surprised at the number of famous people that are buried here and the history of the cemetery,” added Margie Florentin of Notre Dame Parish in Denver. “My parents are in this cemetery, and I do think it’s one of the most beautiful places!”

“Hearing about the 130-year legacy, providing dignity and uplifting solace to over one hundred and fifty thousand people in the Denver region, Mt. Olivet Cemetery makes me feel proud to be a Colorado Catholic,” said Brian Raber, part of the high school core team at Light of the World Parish in Littleton.

“Knowing that this beautiful Archdiocesan cemetery and associated ministries not only care for the Catholic faithful but also give the homeless, military and low-income families much consolation in times of grief is reassuring that our beliefs are lived out by caring for all humanity from womb to tomb,” he continued.

A Tradition of Encounter

For some, these gatherings have become a tradition.

“This is my fourth time coming!” said Audrey Immonen of St. Dominic Parish in Denver. “I absolutely love Brew Night at the Cemetery, and I tell people that this is my Super Bowl because it’s so exciting for me to come here! CFCS has such an important ministry, the cemetery is so beautiful, and the Mass allows all of us to lay our prayers at the foot of the Cross. I’m grateful for all of it!”

“It’s fabulous and every Catholic should go at least once to experience this!” added Morrow.

Father Anthony of the Transfiguration, who celebrated one of the Masses, reflected on the spiritual importance of the evening events.

“I grew up at a parish in Boulder with a cemetery, so I’ve always been reminded of mortality and the hope of eternal life,” he said. “I think it’s wonderful for those who don’t have that proximity to have an occasion like this, especially for young people, to realize the gift of eternal life.”

Paul Schabron of Cheyenne agreed: “Points us in the right direction, too, right? To remind us of where we’re all headed. I think everyone thinks that they’ll live forever.”

As St. Elizabeth of the Trinity reminds us, “It’s in the light of eternity that life is a serious thing!”

And that, perhaps, is the enduring lesson of Night at the Cemetery and Brew Night at the Cemetery: that in sacred ground and the stories of the saints, we encounter both the beauty of this life and the hope of eternal life.

For more information about Night at the Cemetery, Brew Night at the Cemetery and other events with Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, visit www.cfcscolorado.org.