On Mission

Organized by Communion and Liberation, a Catholic movement started in Italy by Servant of God Luigi Giussani, the annual Stations of the Cross witnessed to Gospel hope in the heart of Denver. Archbishop James Golka joined Communion and Liberation, a Catholic lay movement, for a Good Friday Way of the Cross through Downtown Denver. (Photo by Matt Walker/Denver Catholic) By Matt Walker The Denver City and County building bells tolled each quarter hour. Sirens came and went. Drivers laid on...

Deacon Marc Nestorick leads Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at Mullen Residences in Denver. (Photo provided) For the first time in four years, the historic Mullen Home, now transitioning into Mullen Residences at the Highlands, opened to the public on Good Friday to host Scriptural Stations of the Cross on the grounds. For over one hundred years on this very property, the Little Sisters of the Poor served the Catholic faithful and their families at the Mullen Home, an assisted living...

Reflecting on Pontius Pilate in the Gospel of John, the newly installed Archbishop of Denver challenged the faithful to let Jesus become everything in our lives. Archbishop James Golka kneels and kisses a crucifix during the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) Is Jesus truly my Savior — or not? On the day called good, faithful from across the archdiocese came together to honor...

Kiss of Judas by Giotto, c. 1304–1306, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 The comfort of a familiar embrace. The closeness of being gathered into another’s cloak. The quiet affection of being near enough to share a kiss. In Giotto’s fresco, Judas not only betrays Jesus with a...

Just as Jesus stooped low to wash the apostles’ feet, Denver’s new archbishop said in his homily during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, each Christian is called, commanded, to love neighbor. Archbishop James Golka washes the feet of a parishioner during his first Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) Imagine, for a moment, Jesus’ Last Supper. An evening meal pre-electricity, it would have...

Deacon Jim Heatwole raises the cross (L) during a procession as Hung Pham (C) and Deacon Kevin McCutcheon (R) look on Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) It’s the holiest time of the year, as we prepare to enter into Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection anew. As we prepare for the Holy Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday — we not only remember...

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 James Golka and...

"Christ Falling on the Way to Calvary" by Raphael, c. 1516. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) The Way of the Cross — and the third, seventh, and ninth stations in particular — has been an especially appropriate Lenten devotion this year. Every day, it seems, some new craziness erupts in the world, the country, or the Church. Every time we think we see rays of hope and possibility, we take another fall. So it’s good to remember this Holy Week, with Hans Urs von Balthasar, that we...

United States Supreme Court Building Courtesy: WIX Editor’s Note: On March 31, 2026, the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling striking down Colorado’s ban on "so-called" conversion therapy for minors. The following statement is from the Colorado Catholic Conference, which represents the collective public policy voice of the Catholic bishops of Colorado. Colorado Catholic Conference Statement on the United States Supreme Court victory in Chiles v. Salazar The Colorado Catholic...

"Christ in Limbo" painting in Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ Church in Bischheim, France. (Photo: Ralph Hammann via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0) Do you feel stuck in the spiritual life, like something is holding you back? Did Lent fall short of bringing about deeper conversion? Holy Week, as the culmination of Lent, seeks to resolve these dangling tensions, as we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, the new Passover initiated by Jesus. It’s about experiencing liberation, the freedom that comes...

Denver’s newly installed archbishop shares a powerful reflection on humility, service and evangelization at his first Palm Sunday homily as Northern Colorado’s shepherd. Archbishop James R. Golka blessed palm branches that will be used in procession during Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) As the Church begins Holy Week — the most sacred time of the year, which leads up to Jesus’ suffering, death and...

(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) When I began my time in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, I said I was fascinated by Jesus Christ, and I have been for much of my life. What was true then, and what was true in the Scriptures, is only truer today. I am fascinated by the way that Jesus makes himself present in our world today. I am fascinated by Jesus’ words, which echo through the centuries and in your heart and mine. I am fascinated by the way that he loved all those he...