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Perspective

PHOTOS: Empty churches, full hearts

Writer's picture: Denver Catholic StaffDenver Catholic Staff

Updated: Jan 18

In response to the new coronavirus, Father Jim Spahn, O.P., back left at altar, joins Deacon Antonio Guerrero in saying the Good Friday Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church for an internet broadcast for parishoners Friday, April 10, 2020, in Denver. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
In response to the new coronavirus, Father Jim Spahn, O.P., back left at altar, joins Deacon Antonio Guerrero in saying the Good Friday Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church for an internet broadcast for parishoners Friday, April 10, 2020, in Denver. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Holy Week in the Archdiocese of Denver looked a lot different this year than it has in a long time – perhaps ever. While Colorado was under a stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus pandemic, parishes around the archdiocese broadcasted their Good Friday and Easter Sunday liturgies over the internet for the faithful to participate in from home. It was unusual to see priests celebrate the most joyous Mass of the year in churches that would otherwise be filled, but as St. John Paul II said: “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are an Easter people, and alleluia is our song!” Regardless if we’re singing it in an empty church or within our own living room, it remains our song, because we are still an Easter people. Alleluia!


Bishop Jorge H. Rodriguez celebrated Good Friday Mass in Spanish at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Denver.


Bishop Rodriguez’s Mass was also livestreamed for the Hispanic community.


Father Chris Saliga, O.P., delivers a reading during an internet broadcast of the Good Friday Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church Friday, April 10, 2020, in Denver.


Father Andrew Carl Wisdom, O.P., completes a reading during an internet broadcast of the Good Friday Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church Friday, April 10, 2020, in Denver.


A video monitor displays what a camera is viewing as Deacon Antonio Guerrero, back left, and Father Jim Spahn, O.P., deliver by internet broadcast the Good Friday Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church Friday, April 10, 2020, in Denver.


Father Jim Spahn, O.P., delivers Holy Communion during the an internet boradcast of the Good Friday Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church Friday, April 10, 2020, in Denver.


A large bottle of hand sanitizer stands on a table during the Good Friday Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church Friday, April 10, 2020, in Denver.


In response to the new coronavirus, Father Jim Spahn, O.P., back left at altar, joins Deacon Antonio Guerrero in saying the Good Friday Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church for an internet broadcast for parishoners Friday, April 10, 2020, in Denver.


From left, Deacon Efra Pruneda, Father Jesus Murillo and Father Felix Medina deliver Easter Mass in Spanish during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colo.


Father Felix Medina, front, leads Deacon Efra Pruneda, back left, and Father Jesus Murillo out of the church after they delivered Easter Mass in Spanish during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colo.


To rows of empty pews, Father Jesus Murillo delivers Easter Mass in Spanish during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colo.


Father Jesus Murillo delivers Easter Mass in Spanish during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora, Colo.


Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila leaves the altar after delivering Easter Mass during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Denver.


Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila delivers Easter Mass during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Denver.


The organist plays to an empty Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Concetion as Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila delivers Easter Mass during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Denver.


Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila enters the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception to deliver Easter Mass during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Denver.


Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila delivers Easter Mass during a broadcast of the service because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Denver.


Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila delivers Easter Mass during a broadcast of services because of the new coronavirus Sunday, April 12, 2020, in Denver.


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