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(Photos by André Escaleira, Jr.) We’ve been in Rome three days now, and they’ve been filled with holy saints and sites, with lots to see, experience and learn. St. Paul Outside the Walls was beautiful. Our after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums — and the half hour we had alone in the Sistine Chapel — was moving. Borgo Laudato Si’, a Vatican project for integral ecology, was impressive. Castel Gandalfo, the pope’s summer residence, was beautiful, too. As wonderful as all thes

(Photos by André Escaleira, Jr.) Walking through Rome this afternoon was surreal. We’d only been here a few hours. It was a hot, sticky day, and the sun beat down from above with a vengeance. We took cover in an alley, where shade offered us its cool reprieve. We were on our way to Mass, following the tour guide. Suddenly, the alley opened up. As my eyes adjusted to the sun and the setting, they nearly couldn’t believe what was before them: the St. Peter Basilica. How did we

As the archdiocesan group headed to Rome for the Pallium Pilgrimage, the skies call to mind the “cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us each and every day, in Rome, Denver and worldwide. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) It’s an interesting experience seeing things from 30,000 feet. Everything looks so small from that height: the great rivers and mountains of the West, the sprawling metropolises of the East, the “pond” that is the mighty Atlantic. As I spent most of the day on a

Part Seven: After hearing the Kerygma, the saving news of the Gospel, and making a decision to follow Christ, the person being accompanied needs to hear what it means to follow Jesus. (Photo: Lightstock) Editor's Note: This column is part of a yearlong series on evangelization, breaking down what often feels like a tall order into real, practical, actionable steps towards intentional accompaniment. Part One: A Practical Guide for Everyday Catholics Part Two: Be A Disciple Fir

At Mother Cabrini Shrine, faithful from across the Archdiocese of Denver prayed for the United States and its future under the Heart of Christ. Led by Father Eric Zegeer, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Denver, the local consecration to the Sacred Heart led faithful to the heights, to a Sacred Heart statue overlooking Denver from Mother Cabrini Shrine. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) From his perch a thousand feet above the city of Denver, Jesus and his Sacred Heart

A worldwide rosary, coordinated by the Dicastery for Evangelization, will be prayed at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens on May 30. A pilgrim prays the rosary at a Marian vigil in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo by Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News) By Madalaine Elhabbal/EWTN News Pope Leo XIV is inviting Catholics around the world to join him in praying a rosary for peace on May 30. The Holy Father is set to pray the rosary live from the Lourdes Grott

Part Six: To accompany others, we must share the Good News, the Gospel, the saving message of Jesus Christ. (Photo by Grant Whitty) Editor's Note: This column is part of a yearlong series on evangelization, breaking down what often feels like a tall order into real, practical, actionable steps towards intentional accompaniment. Part One: A Practical Guide for Everyday Catholics Part Two: Be A Disciple First Part Three: Discern Who to Accompany Part Four: Build Authentic Frien

The pierced heart of Christ reveals a path of mercy, communion and mission for the Church in America today, ahead of its 250th anniversary. (Photo: Unsplash) By Father Jim Thermos This June 11, the bishops of the United States are inviting each of us to draw nearer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as they consecrate the United States to that heart, burning for love of us. As that day approaches, we can glean new insight into that Heart and the call to intimacy that Jesus make

Through heartfelt sharing, Scripture, storytelling, the kerygma and prayer, we can effectively invite others to come to know Jesus. Pope Francis visits a Brazilian favela during World Youth Day 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 br) By Meg Stout When we think of evangelization, what comes to mind? Do we feel equipped to evangelize? We might pressure ourselves with high expectations, thinking we must have the eq

Part Five: As we accompany others towards Jesus, we must find places, spaces and times in which we and others can be vulnerable. Hikers pause for a sunset view during a young adult camping weekend co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Denver, Annunciation Heights and Mission House Denver. (Photo by Allison Holdridge) Editor's Note: This column is part of a yearlong series on evangelization, breaking down what often feels like a tall order into real, practical, actionable steps t

Margaret and John Kelly, pictured here with their grandchildren. (Photo provided) Success, John Kelly will tell you, makes faith easy to ignore. He and his wife, Margaret, spent years doing exactly that, building careers, raising a family and going to Mass on Sundays, while God waited somewhere further down the list. Then life intervened in ways they could not have planned for, and the question they had never thought to ask became impossible to avoid: if everything can be tak

Hundreds of priests processed into the March 25 Installation Mass of Archbishop James Golka. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) I could not attend Archbishop Golka’s Installation Mass in person, but I did tune in to the livestream for as long as I could. As I watched the lengthy procession of priests from across our archdiocese, I unexpectedly felt warm tears of gratitude roll down my cheeks. Many of the faces I recognized, and I was deeply moved by the sight of our cler

The Holy Father’s global challenge comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East and beyond. Pope Leo XIV greets the crowd after delivering his Easter blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 5, 2026. (Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez) In the face of increasing tensions worldwide, Pope Leo XIV has called the faithful to join him in a prayer vigil for peace on Saturday, April 11. An Easter Challenge In his

Celebrating Lent is straightforward: penance, fasting, prayer, almsgiving. But how should a Catholic celebrate Easter? (Photo: Lightstock) Easter is the feast of all feasts, and its fifty-day season stands atop the liturgical year as its climax. While we might recognize this reality, the Easter season can seem like a letdown. While the goal of Lent appears to be clear-cut — fight against sin, do penance, increase prayer and give alms — what about Easter? What are we suppose

The Sermon of the Beatitudes (1886-96) by James Tissot from the series The Life of Christ, Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) By Father José Noriega, D.C.J.M. St. John Vianney Seminary, Denver The Christian novelty was like a spark that kindled a new fire, with a radiance and a warmth never before seen. To the great question of the human heart — what is the happy life, and how is it attained? — Christianity offered an answer that astonished both th

(Photo: Adobe Stock) "You are the light of the world. … You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13-14 When Jesus speaks these words, he is not addressing an elite few. He is speaking to ordinary disciples, to people with families, jobs, limitations, fears and questions. People like you and me. Every baptized Catholic shares in the mission of Christ. We are invited, indeed privileged, to go in search of the lost sheep, to bring light into darkness and to offer hope to those

Kiss of Judas by Giotto, c. 1304–1306, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 The comfort of a familiar embrace. The closeness of being gathered into another’s cloak. The quiet affection of being near enough to share a kiss. In Giotto’s fresco, Judas not only betrays

Deacon Jim Heatwole raises the cross (L) during a procession as Hung Pham (C) and Deacon Kevin McCutcheon (R) look on Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) It’s the holiest time of the year, as we prepare to enter into Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection anew. As we prepare for the Holy Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday — we no

Denver’s newly installed archbishop shares a powerful reflection on humility, service and evangelization at his first Palm Sunday homily as Northern Colorado’s shepherd. Archbishop James R. Golka blessed palm branches that will be used in procession during Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) As the Church begins Holy Week — the most sacred time of the year, which leads up to Jesus’ suffering,

(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) When I began my time in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, I said I was fascinated by Jesus Christ, and I have been for much of my life. What was true then, and what was true in the Scriptures, is only truer today. I am fascinated by the way that Jesus makes himself present in our world today. I am fascinated by Jesus’ words, which echo through the centuries and in your heart and mine. I am fascinated by the way that he loved all