Archbishop Aquila's first Denver priest-secretary reflects on the shepherd's leadership, rooted in faith and humanity. As Archbishop Aquila's first priest secretary, Father Matt Book (right) got a front-row seat to the new shepherd's ministry. (Denver Catholic archive photo) By Father Matthew Book Vicar for Clergy Priest Secretary, 2014—2024 Archdiocese of Denver Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Archbishop Aquila all across Northern Color

For Jeremiah Obiano, Deacon Enrique Cruz and Joseph Trinh, following God's call meant leaving their families and homelands to serve the Church in Denver. (Photo provided) On a brisk morning in Denver, as sunlight shines through stained glass, a young seminarian kneels in prayer before Mass. Though his voice still carries an accent and rhythm of a country thousands of miles away, among these pews and parishioners, he is home. A Calling That Began Thousands of Miles Away Deacon

In a historic first for his time in Denver, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila led the opening prayer for the Colorado House of Representatives on a snowy Friday morning. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila led the invocation from the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives on March 6, a historic first as he comes to the end of his formal ministry in Northern Colorado. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Denver Catholic) “Lord, our God, we praise you, thank you and adore you for the be

(Photo: Adobe Stock) At Holy Rosary Parish in Denver, a model of intentional accompaniment guides couples step by step toward a deeper experience of the sacrament of marriage. In a culture where “forever” seems increasingly fragile and divorce has become almost an automatic response, the Church faces an urgent and profoundly human challenge: How can couples be better prepared to receive the sacrament of marriage and, even more, how can they be accompanied so that they remain

Hundreds gathered for a Rite of Election ceremony in Windsor last month, encouraged by Bishop Jorge Rodríguez to enter the story of God's love for each person. Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez encouraged those entering the Church at Easter to enter into the divine love story during the annual Rite of Election ceremony at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Windsor. (Photo by Joe Donelson/Denver Catholic) By Joe Donelson Last month, Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Windsor

Daniel Igoe, a seminarian at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, walks to class with fellow seminarians. (Photo by Grant Whitty) From Classroom to Conviction In a theology classroom at the former Bishop Machebeuf High School, Joseph Tynan encountered a line from Gaudium et Spes that would help shape the course of his life towards his vocation. Jesus Christ “fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear," he recalled. “I came to understand t

International Women’s Day, Endow’s Letter to Artists and the universal longing for beauty as a path to dignity and renewal. (Photo courtesy of Endow) Women create — things, ideas, opportunities, new life, change. Like all people, they are artists throughout their lives, crafting meaning through everyday work. A teacher adapting her lesson in real time. A curator arranging paintings to reveal an artist’s life story. A parent who solves the Rubik’s Cube of eight pickups and d

A timeline of episcopal service in Northern Colorado (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) 2015-2016: Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation and Sealed & Sent "The world needs saints. Even as our society becomes more distant from faith and more forgetful of God, it still hungers for joyful witnesses who have been transformed by Christ. At the same time, new generations of Catholics need grace to sustain them in a non-Christian environment. To answer these needs, I have

(Photo provided) By Forest Barnette The year is 1912. A tired but determined Italian immigrant sits across from a Coloradan carpenter. Though the mid-April chill doesn’t betray it, a summer heat fast approaches the Rocky Mountain foothills — and there is much to do. Together, this mismatched pair draws up plans to house local orphan girls for the third consecutive summer camp hosted by a fledgling religious order. The head of that community sits at this table against all

(Denver Catholic file photo) It is with deep sorrow, yet firm hope in the Resurrection, that the Archdiocese of Denver announces the passing of Deacon Pablo Simon Salas, who entered eternal life on February 27, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family. Deacon Salas was born on May 10, 1946, in Matamoros, Mexico, to Pablo Salas and Hermelinda Miranda. He was baptized on March 27, 1947, at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Matamoros. When he was seven years old, his f

The Archdiocese of Denver announced Thursday that Robert Golka, the father of Archbishop-designate James Golka, had passed. The 92-year-old Nebraska native was known for his loving fatherhood, profound faith and deep care for his family. As the Golka family grieves his loss, only two months after the passing of Archbishop-designate Golka's mother, Patricia, the Archdiocese invites the faithful to pray fervently for them in this difficult time. Read more from the Colorado Cath

Hundreds of Catholic school students gathered for a bittersweet tradition before the archbishop’s retirement. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Denver Catholic) By Tracy Seul It’s a rite of passage for fifth graders across the archdiocese. Every year, Catholic schools bring hundreds of students to a special Mass with Archbishop Aquila at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. But this year's Masses were bittersweet, as they marked the last time Archbishop Aquil

(Photo provided) At St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish , Eymi Nava serves faithfully as the young adult ministry coordinator, guiding others in their walk with God just as she was once guided herself. Her journey of discipleship began years ago when, as a twelve-year-old, she joined a youth group that deeply shaped her faith. “It helped me get to know the Lord,” she recalled. “The young people around me supported me so much, and now I want to do the same for others.”

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) The faithful of Northern Colorado are warmly invited to join the Archdiocese of Denver for a Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, as the local Church gathers in prayer and gratitude for his nearly 14 years of faithful service as shepherd of the archdiocese. The Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, March 22, at 2:30 p.m. at Light of the World Parish, located at 10306 W. Bowles Avenue in Littleton. This Mass offers the

Seminarians, priests and faithful reflect on the life of a beloved St. John Vianney Seminary rector. Faithful from around the archdiocese gathered to pray for and honor Monsignor Michael Glenn in what will become an annual Mass. (Photo by Kaylee Stoll/Denver Catholic) By Kaylee Stoll The Gospel message rang throughout the church: "Well done, good and faithful servant." It felt only appropriate that this be the theme of the memorial Mass for Monsignor Michael Glenn on Saturd

This man in black is forming young men through faith, discipline and Friday night lights at one Denver Catholic high school. Brother Andrew Brebeuf of the Servants of Christ Jesus strives to form young men in faith and football. (Photo provided) By Ryan Brady On Friday nights at Mullen High School in Denver, under the stadium lights, it is not unusual to see a black cassock pacing the sideline. Parents from opposing teams sometimes do a double-take. Players from public school

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) A man of prayer. A father to his flock. A faithful apostle. A rock-solid shepherd. That's how those who know Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila well describe him. On February 7, 2026, Archbishop Aquila’s request to retire was accepted by Pope Leo XIV. At the same time, it was announced that Bishop James R. Golka of the Diocese of Colorado Springs would take the helm of the Denver Archdiocese, serving as its ninth bishop and sixth archbi

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this farewell letter to you, I want to share some of the gifts I have received as a priest, bishop, and disciple of Jesus, in serving him and the faithful he has brought into my life throughout the years. The gifts are far too many, undeserved and not earned. They fill my heart with wonder and gratitude to the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and to Mary as my mother, as I call them to mind. I a

A new teacher housing and training program launching this year in the archdiocese Photo by Anya Semenoff/Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette By Liam Gallagher Executive Director Cabrini Teaching Fellows On January 30, 2024, Archbishop Aquila issued a decree establishing the Cabrini Teaching Fellows in the Archdiocese of Denver, directing it to “form teachers to be better prepared to deliver an education imbued with Christian Spirit [and] grounded in the principles o

From Down syndrome to autism, these altar servers are deepening reverence and reshaping hearts in Denver. Michael Martin holds the book for Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila during a family Baptism. (Photo courtesy of the Martin family) By Matt Walker Parents are proud — even joyful — when their child is on the altar serving at Mass. When an altar server has special needs, the sense of joy has a way of spreading beyond just their parents. By demonstrating reverence for God