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(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

(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

Mary at the Foot of the Cross by Elizabeth Zelasko. ( Denver Catholic file photo) The Catholic Church is today in the early stages of a nine-year novena , moving towards the 2,000th anniversary of the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. As we journey toward that anniversary, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila had the idea of gathering the faithful in prayer around one sacred image , an icon to help lead us, year after year, deeper into the mystery of the Cross. READ MOR

In his first media appearance in Northern Colorado since his announcement as the sixth Archbishop of Denver, Archbishop-designate Golka talked faith, family, discernment, prayer and evangelization. Archbishop-designate James Golka emphasized a deep trust in God, rooted in a profound prayer life, during his first media appearance in Northern Colorado since his announcement as the sixth Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) When asked what he would say to t

Before he chose his disciples, Jesus went up the mountain to pray intentionally. Like him, we who are evangelizers (hint: every Catholic!) are called to pray about whom he's calling us to accompany. (Photo: Lightstock) Ok. So you’re Catholic. But not only that. You’re a true disciple of Jesus. You’ve encountered him in the Eucharist. You’re a disciplined follower of his. You have an anchored desire to imitate him in every aspect of your life. You’re committed to a lifelong ad

How one unexpected vision, a tiny chapel and a lot of grace revealed our vocation and deepened our love for Christ. The Portiuncula Chapel at the Franciscan University of Steubenville was key in Meg and Ryan's love story. (Photo courtesy of Franciscan University of Steubenville's Facebook page) By Meg Stout   How my husband, Ryan, and I came to meet and marry is like something from the Old Testament: providential encounters, prophetic words and even a dream. At 18, I went off

(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

Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) by Caravaggio, c. 1605. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) It’s easy to take things that we’re used to doing for granted. Lent’s just one of those Catholic customs that come around every year as the liturgical year moves through its cycles. But if we actually think about why we practice it, it may help us to get more out of it. I’d like to explore the “why” behind it to help us be more intentional in how we enter into Lenten practices thi

A confessor's perspective on love, dignity and the gift of self. (Photo: Lightstock) By Father Daniel Ciucci Pastor, Most Precious Blood Parish, Denver There are few better opportunities for a societal pulse check than the confessional. The Fifth Commandment, in particular, manifold in its application, covers everything from drunkenness, reckless driving, gossip and physical violence, to the withholding of forgiveness, the clutching onto bitterness and the like. Recently, how

Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of February is for children with incurable diseases. Pope Leo prays during Mass at the Vatican on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) By Francesca Pollio-Fenton/EWTN News Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of February is for children with incurable diseases. In a video to be released on Feb. 5, the Holy Father prayed that the faithful would realize that “the smiles, even in the midst of

A new hermitage retreat center, Patris Corde, answers the call of the heart for God through silence, prayer and solitude in the Colorado mountains. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains is a brand-new, Catholic, individual, silent retreat center: Patris Corde. (Photo courtesy of Patris Corde) By Karin Gamba Patris Corde  is the newly opened silent retreat center within the Archdiocese of Denver, tucked along an off-the-beaten-path country road near the border of Grand and Summit Cou

(Photo: Denver Catholic design) Volunteering in the Pro-Life movement in the 1990s, I remember praying for the overturning of Roe v. Wade as if it would immediately end the abortion problem in the United States. As a high schooler, it seemed like a simple enough solution. Roe v. Wade caused the mess, so getting rid of it should take care of things. But now, after Dobbs v. Jackson, what has actually changed  in the last three and a half years?   Even though abortion is now res

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