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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

(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

Seminarians, priests and faithful reflect on the life of a beloved St. John Vianney Seminary rector. Faithful from around the archdiocese gathered to pray for and honor Monsignor Michael Glenn in what will become an annual Mass. (Photo by Kaylee Stoll/Denver Catholic) By Kaylee Stoll The Gospel message rang throughout the church: "Well done, good and faithful servant."   It felt only appropriate that this be the theme of the memorial Mass for Monsignor Michael Glenn on Saturd

(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

Each journey to the priesthood began with a different question and a different apostolate, but the same Lord. Dominic Borchers, Tommy Myers and Will Ives, seminarians at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, came to discern their vocations through their work at various Catholic apostolates. (Denver Catholic photo) Each person who commits themselves to a life of Catholic mission comes to that point through a unique journey, whether it’s a calling to marriage, single

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

A Walburga nun works on a Paschal Candle, which will be blessed and dedicated on the Easter Vigil. These holy candles burn at liturgies throughout the Easter season, at Baptisms and funerals, as a symbol of the light of Christ, even amid darkness. (Photo provided) There's a small but growing group of women who've dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ on the Colorado-Wyoming border. The Benedictine nuns of the Abbey of St. Walburga largely fly under the radar, having vowed to

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

37 deacons and 4 priests came together to launch what organizers say might be the first diocesan-sponsored clergy peer support program in the nation. (Photo provided) When Deacon Ernie Martinez took on his role as director of deacons for the Archdiocese of Denver three years ago, he brought with him an insight few clergy possess: 40 years of experience with the Denver Police Department, where he witnessed firsthand how peer support could save lives. That experience has now tr

As the archdiocese’s newest deacon was ordained, the Denver archbishop called him and each of the faithful to deeper faith, surrender, and hope in God. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila greets newly ordained Deacon Enrique Cruz Bautista during the ordination Mass on January 31, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) Denver’s newest transitional deacon — and indeed all of us — have a renewed challenge from our spiritual father: put God first. During his homily at Deacon Enriq