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The Archdiocese of Denver’s vocations initiative continues to bear fruit as more men explore a possible call to the priesthood. St. John Vianney seminarians pray at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception during Archbishop James Golka's Mass of Taking Possession of the Cathedral on March 26. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) Lean in close, dear reader. We’ve got a secret for you. God has a plan for your life. While this might not be a tremendous surprise to

Hundreds gathered in Denver to honor Archbishop Aquila’s golden jubilee and the countless lives touched through five decades of priestly ministry, reflecting on God’s faithfulness, the joy of the Gospel and a lifetime of grace. "All was gift. Each and every one of you is gift in my life,” Archbishop Emeritus Samuel Aquila said in his homily during a special Jubilee Mass and celebration, marking his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Cathol

Father Ryan Mack, ordained in 2023, serves the Catholic campus ministry of Colorado School of Mines, his alma mater. (Photo courtesy of Father Ryan Mack) By Ashley Splurgeon/Mines Magazine When Father Ryan Mack '15 walks across the Colorado School of Mines campus today, the experience is both familiar and entirely new. As an undergraduate student, he spent four years immersed in engineering classes, late-night study sessions and weekend adventures in the nearby mountains. Now

Fathers Manuel Alarcon, Jason DiRito, Jonathan Francois and Daniel Rivas look forward to bringing God's mercy and presence to Catholics across Northern Colorado. Fathers Jason DiRito, Manuel Alarcon, Daniel Rivas and Jonathan Francois were ordained priests by Archbishop James Golka on May 9 — his first ordinations as Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) On Saturday, May 9, Archbishop James Golka ordained four men to the priesthood at the Cathedral Basi

Celebrating 50 years of Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila’s priesthood could offer a massive spiritual benefit. The St. John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization campus, home to St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Redemptoris Mater Seminary and the Prophet Elijah House, will be the site of a massive celebration on June 5, one at which the faithful can earn a plenary indulgence. (Photo by Grant Whitty) Summer is fast approaching, offering a reprieve from school, vac

What better way to celebrate 50 years of priesthood than with Mass with Archbishop Emeritus Samuel Aquila, a block party and lots of excellent food? (Archdiocese of Denver design) Easter is a time for celebration, Denver Catholics, and boy, do we have an exciting, historic and monumental celebration for you! Mark your calendars for June 5th, when the Archdiocese of Denver will come together to celebrate Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila’s 50th anniversary of priesthood. Th

A firm believer in Catholic education, Denver’s new archbishop joined Regis Jesuit High School, Mullen High School, Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Victory and Notre Dame School for Mass in his first weeks in Northern Colorado. Denver Archbishop James Golka has been busy in his first weeks as Northern Colorado's shepherd, visiting Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, among others. In these visits, the archbishop celebrated Mass, baptized and confirmed students and got to kno

At the Cathedral Basilica in Denver, Archbishop James Golka calls the Church’s newest priests to total surrender and sacrificial love in Christ. Denver Archbishop James Golka anoints the hands of newly ordained Father Jason DiRito, struck with emotion, during the priestly ordination ritual. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) As Fathers Manuel Alarcon, Jason DiRito, Jonathan Francois and Daniel Rivas were ordained priests May 9, one message resounded through the Cathedral

The new Benedictine nun, a Colorado local, makes vows of obedience, stability and conversatio morum (conversion of life) in the Order of St. Benedict, committing to live a joyfully countercultural vocation of prayer and work for the Church and the world. Bishop Stephen Lopes of the Personal Ordinariate of St. Peter places a floral crown on Sister Maria-Benedicta's head as part of the Solemn Profession liturgy. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) By Grant Whitty Nestled i

These young men’s stories show how the “Called By Name” invitation participates in an often deep-seated discernment process Young men like Denver seminarian Ashton Mendoza (pictured here following the Holy Thursday liturgy) and incoming seminarians Francisco Avila, Jeremy Gillett and David Lopez Gutierrez are among those the Lord calls into the vineyard here in Northern Colorado. But the Church needs more spiritual fathers — a need leading to a second Called By Name campaign.

Denver’s new archbishop encouraged priests to unite themselves to Jesus and called on the faithful to pray for their spiritual fathers during the special archdiocesan liturgy. Denver Archbishop James Golka pours Chrism essence into olive oil before praying a consecration prayer over what will become Sacred Chrism during the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by Anya Semenoff/Denver Catholic) At the start of Holy Week, Archbishop

Inspired by Mary and strengthened by prayer, Denver’s incoming archbishop begins his ministry with a commitment to Christ and the Church in a formal profession of faith and oath of fidelity to the pope, the Catholic Church and his ministry. Archbishop-designate James R. Golka kisses the Book of the Gospels after making his Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity, a requirement before taking office as the sixth Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) Mar

In his remarks to archdiocesan deacons, Denver’s new shepherd expressed profound gratitude for the ministry and service of those configured to Christ the Servant. Deacon Tim Unger, director of the St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons; Deacon Mark Leonard, assistant director of deacons; Cardinal Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States; Archbishop-designate James Golka; and Deacon Ernie Martinez, archdiocesan director of deacons, pictured here with the deacon

The wide-ranging interview, the prelate’s last as Archbishop of Denver, covered a variety of topics, including immigration, vocations, Catholic education and pro-life issues. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila introduces Archbishop-designate James Golka during a February 7 press conference announcing the appointment. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) A historic change is coming to Denver, as Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila approaches the formal end of his ministry in Denver ne

Dozens of altar servers joined in the celebration of Deacon Riley Blanchard's ordination to the transitional diaconate. (Photo by Jason Smith/The Things That I See Photography) The 9:30 Mass at St. Mary Parish in Littleton reliably draws a young crowd, but last Sunday’s was a record breaker. More than 60 altar servers lined the front pews as 8 priests and one beloved archbishop concelebrated the ordination Mass of Deacon Riley Blanchard, the first U.S. vocation for the Spanis

On pilgrimage in France, two seminarians and a priest got to know the archdiocese’s earliest shepherds on their home turf. Father Trevor Lontine, Carl Berner and Luke Metzer, all studying in Rome, went on pilgrimage to France last month, walking in the footsteps of some of Denver's spiritual leaders. (Photo provided) By Carl Berner Seminarian Archdiocese of Denver Every priest and seminarian has a “vocation story,” a record of God’s providence over his Church; it tells of

From a challenging homily to pilgrimage in France, one local priest reflects on the mission of spiritual fatherhood in an apostolic age. Father Trevor Lontine says Mass at the tomb of St. John Vianney in Ars, France, during a recent pilgrimage. (Photo provided) By Father Trevor Lontine A Priestly Challenge at the Start of My Priesthood On May 15, 2022, Father Dan Barron, OMV, stood at the pulpit in St. Joseph Parish in Denver and asked a simple question. There are so many

From parish drives to 'Super Bowl' liturgies, a priest shares the witness of Archbishop Aquila's priesthood and humanity. From Archbishop Aquila's side, Father Scott Bailey learned profound lessons about the spiritual life. (Denver Catholic archive photo) By Father Scott Bailey Pastor, Risen Christ Parish, Denver Priest Secretary, 2014—2018 Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Archbishop Aquila all across Northern Colorado as he ministered an

For Jeremiah Obiano, Deacon Enrique Cruz and Joseph Trinh, following God's call meant leaving their families and homelands to serve the Church in Denver. (Photo provided) On a brisk morning in Denver, as sunlight shines through stained glass, a young seminarian kneels in prayer before Mass. Though his voice still carries an accent and rhythm of a country thousands of miles away, among these pews and parishioners, he is home. A Calling That Began Thousands of Miles Away Deacon

Daniel Igoe, a seminarian at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, walks to class with fellow seminarians. (Photo by Grant Whitty) From Classroom to Conviction In a theology classroom at the former Bishop Machebeuf High School, Joseph Tynan encountered a line from Gaudium et Spes that would help shape the course of his life towards his vocation. Jesus Christ “fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear," he recalled. “I came to understand t