All Articles

(Denver Catholic file photo) February 7, 2026  My Brothers and Sisters,  As I prepare to enter retirement, my heart is filled above all with gratitude — to God, to the priests and deacons of this local Church, to consecrated women and men, and to the lay faithful who have walked together as missionary disciples in Northern Colorado. From the beginning of my ministry here, I have been convinced that the Lord is at work among us, calling us ever more deeply to conversion, commu

Then-Bishop James R. Golka blesses attendees at Mass at SEEK26 in Denver. (Photo by Madisen Martinez/Courtesy of FOCUS) Habemus archiepiscopum! We have an archbishop!  On Saturday morning, the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced that Pope Leo XIV had accepted Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila’s request to retire from pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Denver after nearly 14 years of service. At the same time, the Holy Father appoin

37 deacons and 4 priests came together to launch what organizers say might be the first diocesan-sponsored clergy peer support program in the nation. (Photo provided) When Deacon Ernie Martinez took on his role as director of deacons for the Archdiocese of Denver three years ago, he brought with him an insight few clergy possess: 40 years of experience with the Denver Police Department, where he witnessed firsthand how peer support could save lives. That experience has now tr

Speaking on his recently published Pastoral Call to Peace , the Denver archbishop urged the faithful and all those of goodwill to return to civil discourse, rooted in a biblical worldview and in the human dignity inherent in every person. (Photo: Denver Catholic file photo) As tensions run high nationwide in response to immigration enforcement and recent violence, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila joined the Dan Caplis Show to urge a return to the peace that only Christ can

As the archdiocese’s newest deacon was ordained, the Denver archbishop called him and each of the faithful to deeper faith, surrender, and hope in God. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila greets newly ordained Deacon Enrique Cruz Bautista during the ordination Mass on January 31, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) Denver’s newest transitional deacon — and indeed all of us — have a renewed challenge from our spiritual father: put God first. During his homily at Deacon Enriq

(Photo: Adobe Stock) We are living in what many have described as an “apostolic age,” like the first centuries of the Church, when Christians proclaimed the Gospel in a world that did not share their assumptions about God, truth or the purpose of human life. In that time, Christians lived, loved and worshipped differently than the world. And in doing so, they drew others to the beauty of Christ. In our own time, the cultural foundations that once supported Christian life have

Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila prays during a November 2025 Stations of the Cross held outside the ICE Detention Facility in Aurora. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila issued a public letter calling for peace in the face of increasing violence, anger, anxiety and harmful rhetoric following recent violence in Minnesota and continued suffering around immigration and public life. His letter, printed in full, follows below. A Pastoral Call to P

The new facility at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver inspires seminarians to holiness through discipline and brotherhood. The sun rises over the newly completed and blessed Monsignor Glenn Center, a recreation center for seminarians at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. (Photo courtesy of Horizon West Builders) Despite frigid temperatures, dozens of donors, seminarians and archdiocesan staff gathered together Friday to warm, inaugurate and bless the newly completed Monsi

As the annual FOCUS conference began on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Denver archbishop encouraged the thousands gathered to ponder with Mary and grow in faith, identity and mission. (Photo courtesy of FOCUS) As one year closes, another begins. And this year has begun with a bang, as thousands of faithful descended upon the Mile High City on Thursday from across the United States for FOCUS’ annual SEEK conference. This year’s conference, hosted simultaneously in C

What a day! Jesus Christ is born for us! He's come to rescue us, to save us! And that changes EVERYTHING. Alleluia! As we celebrate this great, blessed day — the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ! — Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila wishes us a most blessed day and season. He prays that the Child Jesus pours forth every good gift, most especially the grace of closeness to him, to the Father and to the Holy Spirit, today, throughout the Christmas season and in each moment of our liv

Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila blessed and rededicated the renovated church at All Souls Parish in Englewood on Saturday, the culmination of a decades-long desire to renew the parish community. (Photo by Joe Donelson) By Joe Donelson This past Sunday, on the Feast of St. Lucy, All Souls Parish in Englewood reopened its doors to the neighborhood, unveiling a newly renovated place of worship. With Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila in attendance for the dedication of the altar and

FOCUS Founder Curtis Martin announced his retirement from the role of FOCUS CEO, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (Photo: FOCUS) Curtis Martin, founder of FOCUS, has announced he is stepping down as CEO after nearly three decades of leadership, marking a significant transition for one of the most influential Catholic evangelization ministries in the Church today.  Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila offered the following statement upon the announcement:  “I am deeply grateful for the many year

Deacon Juan Diego de María Gómez Jiménez was ordained a deacon on Sunday by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat) In a moving Eucharistic celebration surrounded by family, friends and parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Denver, Brother Juan Diego de María Gómez Jiménez, a Cleric Regular Theatine, was ordained a deacon on Sunday, Dec. 7.  Although Brother Juan had felt a special connection to the Church and to the idea of a religious vocation s

At a special Immaculate Conception Mass celebrated for migrants, the archbishop urged the faithful to reject political rhetoric and reclaim a biblical vision of human dignity. On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila called the Church to remember and honor the dignity of every human person, especially migrants. (Photo by Grant Whitty) By Grant Whitty Church bells tolled through the Capitol Hill neighborhood as religious, seminarians an

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Luke 1:35 As we begin Advent, the Church once again enters a season filled with quiet expectation and profound mystery. We contemplate Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem, even as we look ahead to his glorious return. Yet before the manger and the angels, before the shepherds and the star, there was a moment hidden from the world: the overshadowing of

(Photo: Lightstock) "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone.” Isaiah 9:2 Every December, as our homes and neighborhoods begin to sparkle with lights, our hearts are drawn again to this ancient prophecy from Isaiah. The glow that fills our streets and sanctuaries is more than seasonal cheer; it reflects a far greater truth. That great, true light has indeed shone among us: the light of Jesus Christ,

Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver leads hundreds in the Stations of the Cross outside an ICE detention center in Aurora, Colorado, on Nov. 22, 2025. (Photo: André Escaleira Jr./Denver Catholic) By Francesca Pollio-Fenton/CNA Hundreds of Catholics gathered in front of the Denver Contract Detention Facility — an ICE detention facility in Aurora, Colorado — on Nov. 22 for Stations of the Cross led by Archbishop Samuel Aquila and Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodriguez of the Archdioce

What began as a simple request turned into a schoolwide celebration, and a possible modern miracle. For Jessica Carillo and her husband Mario, the arrival of Blessed Miguel Pro to the Westminster Catholic church and school was a providential moment of grace — one that may have led to a miraculous healing. (Photo provided) By Tracy Seul Viviana Chavez never imagined that a single visit to adoration would open the door to a whirlwind of grace, unexpected miracles and a renewed

At a Stations of the Cross prayer gathering in Aurora, Archbishop Aquila condemns political gamesmanship and calls Catholics to defend the God-given dignity of migrants. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, together with Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, led a Stations of the Cross prayer service around the ICE Detention Facility in Aurora. Several hundred attended the peaceful procession and joined in saintly solidarity with the innumerable im

In the footsteps of Jesus’ Passion, Archbishop Aquila, Bishop Rodriguez and the faithful lift up the cries, sorrows, and hopes of immigrant families. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) You could hear the crunch of the dry Denver grass underfoot — that’s how quiet it was in the north-east Metro on Saturday morning.  Led by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and Bishop Jorge Rodriguez and sponsored by the Committee for Pastoral Care for Migrants, several hundred from more than 36 local p