WATCH LIVE: Archdiocese of Denver to Celebrate Priestly Ordinations of Two Deacons on September 20

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic)

The joy of priestly ordination will once again fill the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver as Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will ordain two men, Deacon Paolo Mori and Deacon Daniel Viana Pereira, to the priesthood on Saturday, September 20, at 10 a.m.

Ordination is one of the Church’s most profound celebrations, when a man is configured to Christ in a permanent way and entrusted with the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments and shepherding God’s people. For the faithful of the Archdiocese of Denver, this day is a chance to rejoice in the gift of new priests and to recommit to praying for vocations.

Answering the call

For Deacon Daniel Viana Pereira, one of the deepest desires of his heart as he prepares for the priesthood is to proclaim the Word of God.

“I think that what I most look forward to about being a priest is the preaching. By preaching, I do not mean only homilies, but also when someone comes for spiritual direction and during Confession. I think that this is a beautiful moment to give others a word about the love and mercy of God, a moment that is not given to many, where the soul of the other person is really seeking for God and receptive to him,” he said.

That very encounter with God's profound mercy transformed Deacon Paolo Mori's life and now shapes his perspective on his priestly vocation.

“I want to bring the love of God to the broken-hearted because when I was broken, a priest announced to me that God loves sinners, and this was life-changing for me. I hope that God may work through me to reach the people in the Church through the sacraments and those far away from the Church through the new evangelization,” he shared.

Supporting vocations with prayer and presence

The ordination Mass will be livestreamed from the Cathedral Basilica, allowing Catholics across Northern Colorado to participate, even from a distance, and to pray for these men as they lay down their lives for Christ and his people.

The ordination rite includes the laying on of hands by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, a gesture that stretches back to the apostles. Through this act and the prayer of consecration, Deacon Mori and Deacon Pereira will be configured to Christ the High Priest and sent forth to serve the people of God.

As the local Church prepares for this joyful day, Catholics across northern Colorado are encouraged to pray for these men, for all seminarians, and for future vocations. The ordination of two new priests is not only a gift to the Archdiocese but also a powerful reminder that God continues to call men from our midst to serve his Church.

To watch the ordination Mass on September 20 at 10 a.m., visit archden.org/livestream.