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Inspired by Mary and strengthened by prayer, Denver’s incoming archbishop begins his ministry with a commitment to Christ and the Church in a formal profession of faith and oath of fidelity to the pope, the Catholic Church and his ministry. Archbishop-designate James R. Golka kisses the Book of the Gospels after making his Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity, a requirement before taking office as the sixth Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) Mar

In a packed, vibrant Denver parish, the retiring archbishop delivers a call to faith, gratitude and mission. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila visited Annunciation Parish in Denver, his last parish visit as Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by Olivia Britt/Denver Catholic) “Do you believe?” That was the simple — yet complex — question Archbishop Aquila posed Sunday to the packed congregation at Denver’s Annunciation Parish as the inner-city “parish of immigrants” gathered to say

Archbishop Aquila’s Journey of Faith, Humility and Mission with the Neocatechumenal Way Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving with the Neocatechumenal Way community on Saturday evening. (Photo by Kaylee Stoll/Denver Catholic) A large group of young pilgrims drew near the center of the historic city of Santiago de Compostela when, from a nearby alley, they were suddenly attacked. As objects flew and insults filled the air, one man stood at the head of t

Hundreds from across Northern Colorado came together in prayer and gratitude for Denver's retiring archbishop. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila blessed those gathered as he processes out of the Mass of Thanksgiving for his ministry on Sunday at Light of the World Parish in Littleton. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) Before hundreds of faithful gathered Sunday afternoon for a special Mass of Thanksgiving at Light of the World Parish in Littleton, Denver Archbishop Samuel

After 14 years leading the Archdiocese of Denver, Archbishop Samuel Aquila will enter retirement on March 25. By Francesca Pollio Fenton/EWTN News Over the past 14 years, Archbishop Samuel Aquila has led the Archdiocese of Denver. Appointed to lead the archdiocese in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, Aquila — who at 75 has reached the customary retirement age for prelates — now prepares to hand the role over to Bishop James Golka, who will be installed as the archdiocese’s new leade

The annual convocation became a moment of unity and gratitude as the archbishop and his deacons reflected on years of ministry and personal connection. This year's annual deacons' convocation was punctuated by a deep spirit of joy, laughter and gratitude, as brother deacons from across the archdiocese gathered with one another and with Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila one final time before his retirement. (Photo by Kaylee Stoll/Denver Catholic) The annual deacons’ convocati

The wide-ranging interview, the prelate’s last as Archbishop of Denver, covered a variety of topics, including immigration, vocations, Catholic education and pro-life issues. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila introduces Archbishop-designate James Golka during a February 7 press conference announcing the appointment. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) A historic change is coming to Denver, as Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila approaches the formal end of his ministry in Denver ne

Daily service at the archbishop's side offers a glimpse into a life lived in total surrender to Christ. As Archbishop Aquila's retirement drew near, Father David Hall had the privilege of watching Denver's shepherd follow the Lord in complete surrender, even to the end of his formal ministry. (Photo by Daniel Sasala) By Father David Hall Priest Secretary, 2025—2026 Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Archbishop Aquila all across Northern Col

Through prayer, evangelization and healing, Archbishop Aquila guided the archdiocese into a new era of mission. From Archbishop Aquila's side, Father Tom Scherer saw the Archdiocese of Denver move to mission, through the Synod on Synodality and into an apostolic age. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) By Father Tom Scherer Parochial Vicar, St. Thomas More Parish, Centennial Priest Secretary, 2021—2025 Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Ar

From the abuse crisis to the pandemic, Archbishop Aquila carried the Archdiocese with prayer at the center of his life. Even through serious challenges like the abuse crisis and pandemic, Father Matt Magee witnessed Archbishop Aquila's prayerful spirit. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) By Father Matthew Magee Pastor, St. Stephen Parish, Glenwood Springs Priest Secretary, 2018—2021 Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Archbishop Aquila all

From parish drives to 'Super Bowl' liturgies, a priest shares the witness of Archbishop Aquila's priesthood and humanity. From Archbishop Aquila's side, Father Scott Bailey learned profound lessons about the spiritual life. (Denver Catholic archive photo) By Father Scott Bailey Pastor, Risen Christ Parish, Denver Priest Secretary, 2014—2018 Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Archbishop Aquila all across Northern Colorado as he ministered an

Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila visited Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Wheat Ridge ahead of his upcoming retirement to give thanks to God for their work together over the last 13 years. (Photo by Olivia Britt/Denver Catholic) Fifty years ago, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, citizens of Vietnam courageously fled their home country in search of a better life here in the United States, and a group of refugees made their home here in Denver.   Today, what was once

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

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

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

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 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

(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

(Denver Catholic file photo) Editor's Note: Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila released this statement to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Denver amid the news of the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. Public Statement on the Conflict with Iran   February 28, 2026 Prot. N. AB 2026-0132 A Sisters and Brothers in Christ,    As news reaches us of the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes, I join with Catholics in the Archdiocese of Denver and