Sisters of Life Honor Archbishop Aquila for Pro-Life Witness

In a formal letter of commendation, the sisters recognized the Denver archbishop’s “steadfast fidelity” to preaching the Gospel of Life. 

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila invited the Sisters of Life to the Archdiocese of Denver early in his ministry, and was pleased to welcome them at a Mass in September 2015. (Photo by Andrew Wright/Denver Catholic)

It’s no secret that the dignity of life faces profound challenges in the apostolic age in which we live. Unlike the eras of the past, the world does not generally share our beliefs about God, truth or the purpose of human life; we see the world differently. 

Even amid this foundational disconnect, there are some whose courageous witness shines forth to confound the world and challenge deeply held assumptions about human dignity, life, and purpose. 

Since 1991, the Sisters of Life have done just that, inviting us to “regain sight of yourself as a gift” and to “regain sight of the remarkable truth and beauty of every human person, made in the image and likeness of God,” as their website explains. For the last decade, these same sisters have engaged this meaningful pro-life work in Northern Colorado, witnessing to the profound dignity of the human person. 

Last year, in a formal letter of commendation, the Sisters of Life honored Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila for his collaboration in the pro-life mission, especially during his 13 years as Archbishop of Denver. 

“In recognition both of the support you have shown to our community and your steadfast fidelity in proposing the truth of Jesus Christ to a culture increasingly alienated from Gospel values, the Chapter of 2023 desired to present you with this formal letter of commendation,” wrote Mother Mary Concepta, superior general of the Sisters of Life, and Mother Agnes Mary, founding superior general. 

Archbishop Aquila had expressed interest in welcoming the sisters to his diocese back when he was in Fargo, but it was in 2015 that the Sisters of Life decided to move west, expanding beyond their East Coast communities. In a providential partnership, the sisters began outreach on several college campuses with FOCUS that year. 

“Over the past now decade it has been our great privilege to live and serve within the Archdiocese of Denver,” reflected Mother Mary Concepta, who helped open the Denver community, and Mother Agnes Mary, who served for a time in Denver. “We have been delighted to discover the dynamics unique to the Church in the West, a Church in many ways younger than that of the East and full of the zeal and enthusiasm of those who have taken the new evangelization to heart.” 

Pointing to the seeds of faith planted by Pope St. John Paul II in his visit to the Mile High City during World Youth Day in 1993, the sisters commended Archbishop Aquila’s ministry to preach the Gospel of Life. 

“Thank you as well for the consistent voice of truth in charity which you have provided through your pastoral letters, the Denver Catholic magazine and other avenues,” they continued. “It is clear that you take very much to heart the good of those souls entrusted to your care and we are grateful to be able to use your thoughtful reflections in our work of evangelization and ministry to young adults.” 

“I am grateful for the sisters’ commendation, and even more so for their witness to the dignity of life in our archdiocese,” said Archbishop Aquila. “For over a decade, they have been faithful testaments in the Archdiocese of Denver to the goodness, truth and beauty of God in each of his children. I am honored to work alongside them in preaching the Good News of life, and I am thankful for their prayerful support.” 

Closing the letter of commendation, Mother Mary Concepta and Mother Agnes Mary offered the sisters’ prayers for the archbishop, especially at community Masses. 

“We pray that the Lord may ever conform you more fully to himself as you seek to bring his presence to the world,” they concluded.