Remembering Deacon Pablo Salas

(Denver Catholic file photo)

It is with deep sorrow, yet firm hope in the Resurrection, that the Archdiocese of Denver announces the passing of Deacon Pablo Simon Salas, who entered eternal life on February 27, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family.

Deacon Salas was born on May 10, 1946, in Matamoros, Mexico, to Pablo Salas and Hermelinda Miranda. He was baptized on March 27, 1947, at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Matamoros. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Loveland, where he continued his life of faith. He was confirmed on September 30, 1957, at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Loveland.

Responding generously to the call to serve Christ and his Church, Deacon Pablo was ordained to the sacred order of the diaconate on June 12, 2004, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. Over more than twenty-two years of faithful ministry, he served the people of God at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Denver, St. Dominic Parish in Denver, Our Lady of Grace Parish in Denver, Holy Rosary Parish in Denver, and Presentation of Our Lady Parish in Denver.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Deacon Salas served the Archdiocese not only in parish ministry but also as a member of the Spanish Formation Team at the St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons, helping to form and mentor future deacons for service in the Church. After many years of devoted ministry, he retired from active service in 2021.

In his professional life, Deacon Salas earned a law degree from the University of Colorado in 1972 and practiced law for many years, bringing the same commitment to justice and service that marked his diaconal vocation.

Deacon Salas is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Benita, and his children, Terry and Natasha, along with their families.

“Centering prayer has brought me closer to God than I ever imagined I could be. It allows me to understand that God does speak to me through his silence,” Deacon Salas once shared, reflecting on his spirituality.

He described his call to the diaconate as unfolding through prayer and providence. While discerning his vocation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Denver, a simple encounter during a visit to Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden became a moment of grace when a religious sister told him, “You should become a deacon.” From that moment forward, he entrusted his path entirely to God’s will.

“God has given me many blessings, and all my prayers lead me to the conclusion that this is the time for me to go forward, if it be God’s will," he once reflected. "It is only by his grace that I have these blessings, and it is only his will that I wish to satisfy.”

“Deacon Pablo Salas was a quiet but powerful witness of humble service to Christ and his Church. Through his ministry, especially among the Spanish-speaking faithful and the formation of future deacons, he embodied the heart of the diaconate: a servant of the Gospel, the altar and the poor," said Deacon Ernest Martinez, archdiocesan director of deacons. "His life reminds us that faithful perseverance, rooted in prayer, becomes a living proclamation of Christ’s love. We entrust our brother to the mercy of the Lord whom he served so faithfully.”

Funeral Arrangements:

Funeral Vigil & Rosary

Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Presentation of Our Lady Parish

695 Julian Street, Denver

Funeral Mass:

Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

1535 N. Logan Street, Denver

May the Lord grant eternal rest to his faithful servant and bring comfort to those who mourn.  Requiescat in pace.