On Mission

Pope Leo XIV smiles as he greets visitors and pilgrims from the popemobile while riding around St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican before his weekly general audience April 1, 2026. (Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez) Letter of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States of America I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Americans on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This semiquincentennial marks that...

Catholics from dozens of cultures gathered at All Saints Parish in Denver for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, bringing together stories of suffering and displacement with a faith that refuses to surrender hope. Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez smiles with Peruvians in traditional dress after Mass for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) The beauty of the Catholic Church was on full display Friday as hundreds gathered for a...

Deacon Joshua Dalcher first encountered the legendary Catholic preacher when he was struggling with the Church. More than a decade later, he stood among the clergy as Sheen was declared blessed. Deacon Joshua Dalcher was among the thousands of clergy in attendance for Blessed Fulton Sheen's beatification in St. Louis, a full-circle, blessed moment for him and his family. (Photo provided) By Deacon Joshua Dalcher As the procession line for the Beatification Mass of Archbishop Fulton Sheen...

True unity begins in Jesus Christ and comes alive through sacrificial love, service and a willingness to bring the Gospel beyond the walls of our churches into a world in need. (Photo: Lightstock) Two brothers inherit the family farm and split it in half. One is married with eight children, the other, a bachelor. At harvest time, the married brother realizes his family will support him, but his brother is alone. He decides to secretly put some of his grain in his brother’s barn under the...

U.S. bishops are arguing Catholic schools should be allowed to participate in Colorado’s preschool program without compromising their faith, and more in this week’s Catholic education news roundup. Students at St. Mary Catholic Virtue School in Littleton enter the church for Mass. (Photo: Becket) By Tyler Arnold/EWTN News The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Catholic schools in Colorado that want to be included in the state’s universal...

An Angel by Abbott Handerson Thayer, c. 1893, Milwaukee Art Museum. (Photo by Elizabeth Zelasko) The absolute awe I felt as a kid watching Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s chalkboard get wiped clean by his Guardian Angel, just off-camera, was Disney-level entertainment. On his incredibly popular television show, Life Is Worth Living, Archbishop Sheen would use a chalkboard to write out or diagram the theological gold he was dishing out on screen. Naturally, the board would eventually fill up. He...

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 at St. Mary...

Now in its seventh year, the Archdiocese of Denver’s annual veterans gathering offers prayer, confession, support and community for those who served. Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez celebrates Mass during the annual In God We Trust event, which honors and serves military veterans. (Photo by Dan Petty) By Deacon Chris Tranchetti It is oh-dark-thirty in the parking lot of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Foxfield. A group of men stands waiting. Another man arrives with a woman, and soon...

Saint Francis in Ecstasy by Jusepe de Ribera, c. 1639. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) Everyone's favorite Gospel-preaching, animal-loving, creation-protecting saint's feast day is coming up quickly! This year's Feast of St. Francis of Assisi takes on special meaning as the Church commemorates the 800th anniversary of his death and reflects on his legacy. We're in the midst of a Jubilee of St. Francis, too, which means there are special graces and plenary indulgences available as...

(Photo: Lightstock) In the modern world, we take our food for granted. God made it clear to the Israelites, however, that the fruit of the harvest would serve as a sign of his blessing. He wanted to lead his people and bless them abundantly, if only they would let him: “If you live in accordance with my statutes and are careful to observe my commandments, I will give you your rains in due season, so that the land will yield its crops, and the trees their fruit; your threshing will last...

As the Denver Jesuit university approaches its 150th anniversary, its 29th president — the first Black woman president to lead a U.S. Jesuit university — is looking to the future with a leadership philosophy rooted in prayer, listening and service. Derek J. Scarth (left), chair of Regis University's board of trustees, and Father Tom Curran (right), superior of the Regis University Jesuit House, place the presidential medallion on Dr. Shawna Cooper Whitehead during the inauguration ceremony....

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 dioceses, took...