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St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Denver will welcome Christian leaders for prayer and dialogue for a second consecutive year. (Photo courtesy of St. Catherine of Siena Parish) Each January, Christians around the world pause to pray for a unity that reflects Christ’s own desire for his disciples: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21). From January 18 to 25, the universal Church observes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a time dedicated to prayer, reflection and mutual

Entrusting lawmakers, families and the common good to God’s providence, asking him to guide decisions that affect life, dignity and society. (Photo: Pixabay) As Colorado’s elected officials return to the State Capitol, a new legislative session begins — a season that will shape laws, policies and priorities affecting families and communities across the state. Each year, the opening of the Colorado State Legislature marks more than the start of debate and decision-making. It i

(Photo: Lightstock) By Tessa Gervasini/CNA The United States bishops have invited Catholics to pray an annual Respect Life novena for the protection of the unborn. The Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is sponsoring the “9 Days for Life” prayer that will begin on Friday, Jan. 16, and end on Jan. 24. The novena is to be prayed in observance of the annual Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on Jan. 22. T

A talk given at the Denver conference asks us all to seek out our calling within the Catholic Church (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) By Jay Sorgi He started by taking an ever-growing fire for Christ in people’s hearts, and voicing the questions, “What's my role in this? What part is God asking me to play?” Archdiocesan Chief Mission Officer and Superintendent Dr. Scott Elmer took a talk at Denver’s SEEK conference on Saturday and made it a personal challenge to discern and di

(Photo: Lightstock) Looking for a way to go into the new year with some extra grace? Did you know the Church offers TWO chances for plenary indulgences as we ring in the New Year? New Year’s Eve The first opportunity comes on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, as we reflect on all God has done in 2025 and prepare for a new year — a Jubilee Year! For those who publicly recite the Te Deum , a plenary indulgence is granted under the normal conditions detailed below. The Te Deum  is a trad

Adoration of the Shepherds by Gerard van Honthorst, c. 1622. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) The Roman Missal provides four distinct Mass texts for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord: the “Vigil Mass,” the “Mass During the Night,” the “Mass at Dawn,” and the “Mass During the Day.” The gospel readings for these Christmas Masses teach important lessons at Christmas 2025. The Vigil Mass gospel, Matthew 1:1-25, includes the evangelist’s “genealogy of Jesus Chr

An invitation to encounter Jesus through the sacraments, prayer and community, finding Christ's personal love amid the crowds. (Photo by Josh Applegate, courtesy of FOCUS) Piercing through the crowd, his eyes meet mine. Even though the spotlight illuminates the monstrance and I kneel hidden in the shadows behind hundreds of adorers, I find myself held by the Lord’s gaze in a moment just between us.   Like he noticed the hemorrhaging woman despite the crowd pressing in on him

A powerful meditation on divine overshadowing, the Trinity’s indwelling and Emmanuel at Christmas. Annunciation by Giambattista Pittoni, c. 1757. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) I’ve always found the Scripture passage in Luke 1 about the Annunciation fascinating and mysterious. After Mary gives her fiat, the Holy Spirit overshadows her, and then voilà! She is pregnant with the Lord. I’m not sure exactly how that works, though I’ve had some insights lately. The idea

(Photo: Denver Catholic file photo) Every December, just as Advent reaches its final stretch and Christmas draws near, the Archdiocese of Denver turns its gaze toward a uniquely local Marian devotion: Our Lady of the New Advent, celebrated on December 16. While many Marian titles are celebrated throughout the universal Church, this one belongs especially to us. Rooted in Colorado’s landscape, crafted for our archdiocese and embraced by generations of faithful, Our Lady of the

What repeated Scripture, a preschool coloring page and the wisdom of the saints reveal about desire, especially this Advent. (Photo: Lightstock) By Meg Stout Have you ever had a moment where God was communicating something really clearly to you? He can do so in many different ways: through images, thoughts that arise in prayer, words from other people, homilies or even through nature. For me, he often gets his message across through Scripture, usually at Mass. Because I can m

(Photo: Lightstock) Many Catholics experience some degree of guilt, often, though not universally, more intensely during the holiday season. Guilt can arise from spiritual, cultural and emotional factors, and is an uncomfortable feeling that no one likes experiencing. Yet this discomfort points to our original state of innocence, the innocence Adam and Eve knew in the Garden of Eden. In this sense, guilt becomes a wake-up call. It alerts us when we have sinned and invites us

(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

Bishop Jorge Rodríguez celebrates Mass at Cure d'Ars Parish in Denver. (Photo by Ryan Brady) Good news! This holiday season, the Church is giving us a great gift: the chance to go to Mass TWICE in one weekend! That might not seem like a “gift” to some, with all the demands of the holiday season pressing down. But this weekend, we celebrate a few fantastic feasts that you won’t want to miss. First, on Sunday, December 7, we gather to celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. We’l

Why prayer isn’t supposed to look like panic — and how to rediscover its peace. La Religieuse (The Nun) by Henriette Browne. 1859 Oil on canvas. Height: 92.4 cm (36.3 in), width: 73.6 cm (28.9 in). National Inventory of Continental European Paintings. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) It was several years ago, so I couldn’t tell you now what I was working on when I went searching for reference photos of someone in prayer. I only remembe

A missionary tradition can become a powerful way to cultivate gratitude and recognize God’s presence in your daily life. (Photo courtesy of Christ in the City) “Lord, thank you for 36 pounds of honey …” “Jesus, thank you for getting to see Michael on street ministry today…” “Father, thank you for your calm in the storm…”   When I was a missionary with Christ in the City in Denver, the “Thanksgiving Rosary” was a staple of community life. At the end of each day, we’d gather as

(Photo: Lightstock) As Thanksgiving draws near, families across the archdiocese are preparing their tables for Thanksgiving: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings. For some of those families, the preparations take on a holy hue through the rich and beautiful practice of bringing food to church to be blessed before it is shared. Roots in the Eucharist and Harvest Feasts The Church’s call to give thanks is ancient. In fact, the very word Eucharist comes from t

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

What if our best leadership this Advent came not from achieving more, but from being more present to Christ? (Photo: Unsplash) Advent doesn’t just invite leaders to slow down — it demands something more profound within us. It’s ironic that year-end pressure, crowded calendars and relentless noise also dominate the season of Advent. Advent, a time of repentance, calls leaders to quiet the cultural rush and noise and tend to their interior life. The season challenges us to live

(Photo: Lightstock) It's that time of year again, and you might be prepared to be put on the spot another year in a row. "You're Catholic, right? Why don't you pray before dinner?" "You go to Mass all the time, right? You pray!" But what do we even begin to say?? Do we do the simple "Bless us, O Lord..." and head to the culinary races? Or do we seize the opportunity of spiritual openness and give a little more? No matter where your family is spiritually, those moments before

A simple question posed in a quiet chapel led to a 31-day Mass streak, a series of powerful spiritual lessons and a deep peace that only Jesus can give. (Photo: Unsplash) It was a quiet Saturday afternoon. I found myself in my parish’s chapel, yelling at God, angry  at him for calling a dear friend to move away. Between tirades came a reply that echoed in the silence: “What if you loved me this much?” Now, I wish I could say I piously realized the error of my ways, repented,