On Mission

Hundreds of Catholic school students gathered for a bittersweet tradition before the archbishop’s retirement. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Denver Catholic) By Tracy Seul It’s a rite of passage for fifth graders across the archdiocese. Every year, Catholic schools bring hundreds of students to a special Mass with Archbishop Aquila at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. But this year's Masses were bittersweet, as they marked the last time Archbishop Aquila would celebrate...

(Photo provided) At St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish , Eymi Nava serves faithfully as the young adult ministry coordinator, guiding others in their walk with God just as she was once guided herself. Her journey of discipleship began years ago when, as a twelve-year-old, she joined a youth group that deeply shaped her faith.     “It helped me get to know the Lord,” she recalled. “The young people around me supported me so much, and now I want to do the same for others.”    That early...

(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 faithful an...

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 Saturday, February 28....

Pope John Paul II during a visit to the Baltimore Basilica in the 1990s. Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo: Carol M. Highsmith via Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain) Forty-seven years ago, Pope John Paul II issued his first encyclical, Redemptor Hominis  (The Redeemer of Man). The first letter in the centuries-old encyclical tradition devoted to the Christian idea of the human person, Redemptor Hominis  was also what Cardinal James Hickey once called the “program notes” for John Paul’s entire...

This man in black is forming young men through faith, discipline and Friday night lights at one Denver Catholic high school. Brother Andrew Brebeuf of the Servants of Christ Jesus strives to form young men in faith and football. (Photo provided) By Ryan Brady On Friday nights at Mullen High School in Denver, under the stadium lights, it is not unusual to see a black cassock pacing the sideline. Parents from opposing teams sometimes do a double-take. Players from public schools wander over...

(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 archbishop. As the...

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this farewell letter to you, I want to share some of the gifts I have received as a priest, bishop, and disciple of Jesus, in serving him and the faithful he has brought into my life throughout the years. The gifts are far too many, undeserved and not earned. They fill my heart with wonder and gratitude to the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and to Mary as my mother, as I call them to mind. I am writing this...

A new teacher housing and training program launching this year in the archdiocese Photo by Anya Semenoff/Wellspring Catholic Academy of St. Bernadette By Liam Gallagher Executive Director Cabrini Teaching Fellows On January 30, 2024, Archbishop Aquila issued a decree establishing the Cabrini Teaching Fellows in the Archdiocese of Denver, directing it to “form teachers to be better prepared to deliver an education imbued with Christian Spirit [and] grounded in the principles of Catholic...

From Down syndrome to autism, these altar servers are deepening reverence and reshaping hearts in Denver. Michael Martin holds the book for Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila during a family Baptism. (Photo courtesy of the Martin family) By Matt Walker Parents are proud — even joyful — when their child is on the altar serving at Mass. When an altar server has special needs, the sense of joy has a way of spreading beyond just their parents.   By demonstrating reverence for God and respect for...

(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 with all people...

Our Lady of the Valley's mentor-based marriage prep program forms newlyweds in faith, communication and community. A couple at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Windsor celebrates their 50th anniversary, receiving a special blessing from the parish clergy. (Photo courtesy of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Windsor) By Joe Donelson "With this program as good as it is, I just want to share it,” said Karen Boglioli, director of marriage and family life at Our Lady of the Valley (OLV) Parish in...