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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

Denver's annual Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent saw 200 more catechumens than last year — a 35% rise — pointing to a marked increase in curiosity towards the Church, especially among the young. Hundreds — 200 more than last year — gathered for the annual Rite of Election at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Feb. 21. The ceremony is an ancient one marking the formal beginning of the final stretch of preparation before entering the Church at th

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and Archbishop-designate James Golka pray together in Christ the King Chapel at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) This last year, the world watched as the cardinals gathered in Rome for the election of a new pope, the 267 th bishop of Rome. New York recently received a new archbishop, and Denver is preparing for one as well. We are witnessing apostolic succession in action, extending an unbroken chain of bishops

At a special Mass of thanksgiving, the Catholic faithful gathered with their shepherd to express deep gratitude ahead of his upcoming retirement. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila blesses and greets the faithful at the end of a Mass of Thanksgiving at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat) Last Saturday, members of the local Hispanic community gave thanks for and honored the ministry of Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila during an emotional Mass and celebrat

Archbishop-designate James Golka welcomes a student to school at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Denver after blessing a religious bracelet. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) As students at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Denver shuffled their way through the school gates, some still wiping the sleep from their eyes, they were met with a bit of a surprise — even before the Monday morning school bell trilled. Dropping by to welcome students as they arrived were Den

Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrated his final Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Photo by Neil McDonough) As Catholics across Northern Colorado marked the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrated his last Ash Wednesday Mass as shepherd of Northern Colorado. Earlier this month, it was announced that Pope Leo XIV had accepted his retirement and named his successor, Most Rev. Jam

(Photo: Lightstock) As the Lenten season begins, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila has issued his final pastoral note, entitled "Encounter Jesus: Listening with the Heart." In it, he encourages the faithful to encounter the Lord Jesus, especially in Scripture, discern his voice and allow his will to be carried out through each of us. The pastoral note and its exhortation come following the announcement that Pope Leo XIV had accepted Archbishop Aquila's request to retire on February

Darren Walsh, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Denver, and Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila at the Beacon of Hope gala in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities of Denver) By Darren Walsh President & CEO Catholic Charities of Denver As we welcome our new archbishop, I have been reflecting on the leadership of Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and, just as importantly, on the friendship and steady support he has offered Catholic Charities of Denver over so many years. Arch

In a formal letter of commendation, the sisters recognized the Denver archbishop’s “steadfast fidelity” to preaching the Gospel of Life. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila invited the Sisters of Life to the Archdiocese of Denver early in his ministry, and was pleased to welcome them at a Mass in September 2015. (Photo by Andrew Wright/Denver Catholic) It’s no secret that the dignity of life faces profound challenges in the apostolic age in which we live. Unlike the eras of the pas

On Saturday, February 7, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV had accepted Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila's request to retire and had appointed Most Reverend James R. Golka , currently Bishop of Colorado Springs, as the sixth Archbishop of Denver. That same morning, the Archdiocese of Denver hosted a press conference to introduce Northern Colorado's newest shepherd at the Cardinal Stafford Library at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. In the conference, Archbi

On Saturday, February 7, Pope Leo XIV accepted Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila's request to retire and appointed Bishop James R. Golka, currently Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, as the Archdiocese of Denver's sixth archbishop. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) “If we don’t pray first, we’re going to be lost. So let’s pray,” Denver’s next archbishop began on the morning of Feb. 7. Mere hours before, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV had accepted Archbishop

(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