On Mission

(Courtesy photo) I have a glass sitting in my cabinet that I needed to return to Mary Machado. A toothpick holder, really, that she brought to my house for an annual homeschool community event. She left it, and I never got it back to her; I figured I’d just give it back this coming fall. Now I don’t know what to do with it, since Mary left this earth on June 24, 2026, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Only diagnosed less than three weeks prior, her last days were filled with visits...

(Photos ©Vatican Media) The pallium pilgrimage was a blessed and unique experience for pilgrims, to be sure, but one special moment for Northern Colorado's shepherds stood out among them all: meeting Pope Leo XIV! While in Rome for the pilgrimage and Pallium Mass, Denver Archbishop James Golka, Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila, and Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, together with John Magee, archdiocesan chancellor, and Deacon Doug Flinn, archdiocesan general counsel, had the...

Robert Louis Wilken. (Photo: Fair Use) Robert Louis Wilken — radical Christian disciple, devoted husband and father, distinguished patristics scholar, elegant writer, serious baseball guy — died on June 6, a few months short of age 90. Curiously enough, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this longtime friend and colleague is a pop-quiz Q&A I heard years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Robert was an adornment of Mr. Jefferson’s university for many years: Question:...

Photo of the night shift working north of Beulah. (Photo courtesy of Aspen Acres Fire 2026 Agency, Ernest Prax) Editor's Note: Multiple wildfires continue to burn across Colorado, forcing evacuations, destroying homes and threatening communities in the Dioceses of Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Three wildland firefighters also lost their lives while responding to the fires, underscoring the tremendous sacrifice made by those protecting others. As Catholics across the state join Bishop Stephen...

(Denver Catholic file photo) Editor's Note: On July 1, 2026, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) proceeded with the unauthorized ordination of four bishops without a pontifical mandate. In response, the Holy See declared the ordinations a schismatic act and announced the canonical consequences for those involved. In light of these developments, Archbishop James R. Golka issued a letter to the faithful and the Archdiocese of Denver released a Frequently Asked Questions document provided below...

(Photo: Unsplash) Editor's Note: On July 1, 2026, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) proceeded with the unauthorized ordination of four bishops without a pontifical mandate. In response, the Holy See declared the ordinations a schismatic act and announced the canonical consequences for those involved. In light of these developments, Archbishop James R. Golka has issued the following letter to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Denver, in addition to an archdiocesan FAQ on the matter. July 7,...

On frontiers, in hospitals, during epidemics, in mission fields and on battlefields, these holy men and women followed Christ into places others feared to go. (Photo: Denver Catholic design) By Meg Stout In every age and time, though much differs and changes, one thing remains steadfast: God raises up saints to manifest his loving kindness to his people. He inspires people to live holy lives, following him even to the Cross, in love for God and neighbor. The same is true here, on our shores....

(Photo courtesy of the Mother Cabrini Shrine, Golden) By JoAnn Seaman Executive Director Mother Cabrini Shrine On July 7, 1946, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini became the first American citizen to be canonized a saint. While history rightly remembers this milestone, her canonization was never meant to mark the end of her story. Rather, it affirmed that the life she lived — rooted in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and poured out in service to others — would continue to inspire generations around the...

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether Colorado violated the First Amendment by excluding Catholic preschools from its universal preschool program. Students at St. Mary Catholic Virtue Preschool in Littleton, Colorado. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Becket By Katherine Matt EWTN News A broad coalition including the U.S. solicitor general has lined up behind Colorado Catholic families and two Catholic preschools as the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether Colorado violated the First...

As America marks 250 years, St. Katharine Drexel, Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, Venerable Edward Flanagan, Venerable Augustus Tolton and Venerable Pierre Toussaint show how true freedom is found in serving God and neighbor. (Photo: Denver Catholic design) By Pattrica Serrano-Bann On Sunday morning, long before many people are even awake, parishioners begin to arrive at church. As the doors open, a quiet calm settles over the sanctuary. Families shuffle in, regulars ease into their usual...

The pontiffʼs letter stressed religious freedom, the right to life and the contributions of Catholics and immigrants to American history. Pope Leo XIV greets visitors from the popemobile while riding around St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican before his weekly general audience June 17, 2026. (Photo: CNS/Vatican Media) By Francis X. Rocca/EWTN News Pope Leo XIV celebrated the contributions of Catholics and immigrants to the United States in an open letter to Americans for the country’s 250th...

From the Georgia Martyrs to the founder of the University of Notre Dame, these missionaries, martyrs and pioneers helped plant the seeds of Catholic faith in the United States. (Photo: Denver Catholic design) In every age and time, though much differs and changes, one thing remains steadfast: God raises up saints to manifest his loving kindness to his people. He inspires people to live holy lives, following him even to the Cross, in love for God and neighbor. The same is true here, on our...