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Deacon Thomas Gonzaga, SCJ, makes promises of prayer, celibacy and obedience before Denver Archbishop James Golka during his ordination to the transitional diaconate. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) The Archdiocese of Denver is overjoyed to welcome two new deacons to our local Church! While they may have been ordained thousands of miles and a week apart, both men have dedicated their lives to serving the Church in Northern Colorado. On Thursday, October 1, Deacon Carl

After 11 years with the Servants of Christ Jesus, Denver's newest transitional deacon embraces a life of surrender, service and joyful evangelization — and Archbishop Golka reminds Catholics that true freedom comes from giving everything to God. Denver Archbishop James Golka embraces newly ordained Deacon Thomas Gonzaga, SCJ, during the ordination Mass. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) Did downtown Denver get brighter on Saturday morning? Or was that the joy radiating

In this reflection, Deacon Abram León shares his vocational journey and invites us to listen for God’s call and respond generously. Deacon Abram Leon bows during the election of candidates to the diaconate during a permanent deacon ordination at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on June 14, 2025. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) By Deacon Abram León This past Deacon Sunday offered us a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the diaconal ministry and to g

Deacon Carl Berner was ordained in Rome alongside 17 other seminarians, taking the final major step toward priesthood and a life of proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the sacraments. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and founder of Word on Fire Ministries, presents newly ordained Deacon Carl Berner with the Book of the Gospels during the ordination rite. (Photo courtesy of the Pontifical North American College) He may have been ordained m

Carl Berner and 17 seminarians from around the United States will be ordained deacons on Thursday, October 1. Carl Berner will be ordained a transitional deacon in St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday, October 1, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time. (Photo provided) Denver's saxophone-playing seminarian is preparing for a new role in the great song of salvation as he readies for his ordination to the transitional diaconate on Thursday, October 1. Carl Berner, a Cleveland-born seminarian

The first American-born priestly vocation for the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Father Riley Blanchard was ordained by Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila on Saturday. Father Riley Blanchard, DCJM, celebrates his first Mass as a priest at St. Mary Parish in Littleton, after being ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila. (Photo by Jason Smith, courtesy of St. Mary Parish, Littleton) Seventeen priests processed in for the 9:30 a.m. Mass

Instituted as lectors and acolytes, the six men are growing closer to Christ in his Word and Eucharist as they continue the deeper work of preparing their hearts for priestly service. Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez instituted six Denver seminarians, along with seminarians from other dioceses, to the ministries of lector and acolyte on Saturday, a step further in their journeys to priesthood. (Photo provided) Six Denver seminarians, joined by seminarians from other di

On Oct. 10-11, Catholics across the Archdiocese of Denver are invited to pray for their deacons, thank their families, encourage new vocations and support the men who quietly bring Christ to those in need. Deacon Michael Baird, archdiocesan director of pastoral outreach, enjoys time in fraternity with brother deacons before a diaconate training day. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) This October, faithful across the Archdiocese of Denver have a special opportuni

Colorado’s first Hispanic Serra Club begins with more than 120 members and a mission to strengthen priestly and religious vocations in the Church through prayer and service. Bishop Jorge Rodríguez (third from left) and Father Sean Galvin, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lafayette (third from right), hold plaques from Serra International during the chartering ceremony for the new Hispanic Serra Club in the Archdiocese of Denver. (Photo by Christina Antus/Denver Catho

Serra Clubs quietly support seminarians, priests and religious vocations through prayer, friendship and encouragement — a mission Archbishop James Golka says the whole Church can share. Denver Archbishop James Golka greets Serrans after Mass, thanking them for their prayerful support of vocations in Colorado. (Photo by Madisen Martinez/Denver Catholic) On Saturday, August 29, Archbishop James Golka celebrated his first Mass for the local Serra Clubs and their members at the C

Ever wonder what it's like being a bishop? Or how priests receive their call to become a bishop? During a recent visit to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Denver, Denver Archbishop James Golka considered all that and more! Speaking at one of the parish's regular Gathering at the Grotto events, the archbishop reflected on his vocation to the priesthood, his call to become a bishop, the move to the Archdiocese of Denver and his first few months in Northern Colorado. He also discus

Father Dan Finucane, SJ, reacts to the applause of his Jesuit brothers after celebrating his first Mass at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church in St. Louis. (Photo courtesy of Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province) By Therese Meyerhoff Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province A Jesuit priest for just three months, Father Dan Finucane, SJ, has already come to appreciate the ministry of presence. Father Daniel J. Finucane, SJ, and St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski

Colorado’s new COR Peer Support Program is building a culture of fraternity, accompaniment and care among priests and deacons. Deacon John Doubrava (left) and Deacon Ed Green (right) chat before the second COR training. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Jesus had Simon of Cyrene to help carry the Cross (Matthew 27). Colorado clergy now have each other, thanks to a bourgeoning clergy peer support program launched by the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of C

Annual gathering brought together Denver’s deacons, wives, widowed deacons, widows and priests for Mass, renewal of promises and fraternity Archdiocesan deacons gathered August 12 for the annual Deacon Day, celebrating their vocations and service to the Church. (Photo by Majewski Digital Photography) Bishop Jorge Rodríguez joined the deacons for the annual celebration. (Photo by Majewski Digital Photography) Deacons from across the Archdiocese of Denver, including active, ret

The beloved pastor, faithful friend and holy priest was honored and celebrated by thousands at his vigil and funeral, most especially for leading souls to "Jesus, who loves you." Denver Archbishop James Golka celebrated the August 6 funeral Mass for Monsignor Ken Leone at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) It was a beautiful, cool summer day in Downtown Denver as a classic Catholic hymn rang out: “O God beyond a

The faithful and holy local pastor is remembered for his compassion, presence and friendship. (Photo provided) Monsignor Ken Leone, a beloved pastor, a faithful friend and a holy priest, entered eternal life on Saturday, July 25, after a long illness. The Denver native began his faith journey at just one day old, baptized at St. Catherine Parish in Denver on February 25, 1941. A graduate of Regis High School in Denver, he entered St. Thomas Seminary in Denver right out of h

This Denver seminarian thought he was preparing for a career in music, on stage and in the spotlight. Instead, God led him to the seminary, to Rome and, soon, to the priesthood. (Photo provided) By Karin Gamba If you’ve been to an archdiocesan Mass, odds are you’ve seen or met a seminarian or two. You see them serving at those Masses. You may have even noticed them helping organize crowds and point folks in the right direction. You might have even heard them sing, either at M

Archbishop James Golka was installed as archbishop of Denver on March 25. Archbishop James Golka of the Archdiocese of Denver. (Photo: EWTN News screenshot / Francesca Fenton) By Francesca Pollio Fenton/EWTN News DENVER — On March 25, Archbishop James Golka was installed as the new archbishop for the Archdiocese of Denver after serving as bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs since 2021. Archbishop Golka follows in the footsteps of Archbishop Samuel Aquila, who led the ar

The statewide event brought together hundreds of priests, seminarians, deacons, bishops and faithful supporters for a day of fraternity and gratitude. Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila's golf foursome, with Will Ives, an archdiocesan seminarian, Father Chris Considine, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Boulder, and Father Brady Wagner, the coordinator of the spirituality year at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, led the 16th Annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciatio

In his first visit to the church named after Our Lady of Guadalupe, the new shepherd of northern Colorado emphasized the importance of the priesthood and of surrender. Father Juan Diego de María Gómez Jiménez kneels before Denver Archbishop James Golka to make his promise of obedience during the ordination rite. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat/Denver Catholic) On the feast of Corpus Christi, the day dedicated to the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the archdiocesan community