What happens during the Installation of an Archbishop? Questions About Denver's New Archbishop, Answered
- André Escaleira, Jr.
- 7 minutes ago
- 10 min read
In this guide for Denver Catholics, the liturgies, events and celebrations surrounding the installation of a new archbishop are explained, along with other frequently asked questions.
The Installation of Archbishop-designate James Golka as the sixth Archbishop of Denver is just a week away, and many have questions!
What happens?
What are these events and liturgies like?
What do they mean?
It’s not every day that Northern Colorado gets a new spiritual father, a new shepherd, after all. In fact, the last time these events took place in Denver, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen and “Gangnam Style” by Psy were dominating radio waves, and the iPhone had just become available for non-AT&T customers.
Now, nearly 14 years later, the Archdiocese of Denver is gearing up to welcome Archbishop-designate Golka in style. Get ready for the Installation events with this guide for Denver Catholics!
At A Glance:
Installation Vespers — March 24, 2026, 7:00 p.m., CoBank Arena at the National Western Complex, Denver
What are Vespers?
What happens during Installation Vespers?
Installation Mass — March 25, 2026, 1:30 p.m., CoBank Arena at the National Western Complex, Denver
What is a Mass?
What makes this Mass different?
Mass of Taking Possession of the Cathedral — March 26, 2026, 12:10 p.m., Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver
What is a Cathedral? Why take possession of it?
What happens during the Mass of Taking Possession?
Frequently Asked Questions
Installation Vespers
Beginning the official, liturgical Installation ceremonies, the archdiocese will gather in prayer during Solemn Vespers at the CoBank Arena at the National Western Complex in Denver at 7:00 p.m. on March 24, 2026. Archbishop Aquila will preside over this liturgy, at the request of Archbishop-designate Golka.
What are Vespers?
Also known as Evening Prayer, this liturgy is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church’s official prayer. It is made up of two psalms, one canticle and accompanying antiphons, all from the Scriptures. There is also a Scripture reading, several intentions, and an opening and closing prayer.
Since we will be praying on the evening before the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord — the major Catholic feast on which the angel appeared to Mary, announcing that she would conceive Jesus Christ, who would save us from our sins — the liturgy will feature psalms, canticles, readings and hymns that the Church offers for Marian feasts.
Bishops, priests, deacons, monks, nuns, and religious brothers and sisters around the world pray the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day, offering their prayer in a special way for the Church. In this way, the Liturgy of the Hours unites the Church across languages, cultures and time zones, calling the faithful to pray the words of the Psalms and other Scriptures with and for the Church.
What happens during Installation Vespers?
Faithful from around the archdiocese will gather with our new shepherd and our retiring shepherd to pray for the transition on the evening before the Installation Mass, in a sort of vigil of faith.
Those in attendance and those tuning in by livestream will pray the words of the Scriptures, uniting our voices with Catholics around the world and across the centuries, praying the same Psalms that Jesus himself would have prayed — a testament to the unity and continuity of the Church that Christ himself founded.
After the two psalms, one canticle and one reading, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will preach his final homily as Archbishop of Denver.
Following the homily, Archbishop-designate Golka will make a formal Profession of Faith, praying the Creed that Catholics pray at each Sunday Mass. He will then take the Oath of Fidelity to the Apostolic See, as required by canon law (canon 380), promising continued faith-filled obedience to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and his successors.
Installation Mass
The following day, on March 25, 2026, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the Archdiocese will host the Installation Mass for Archbishop-designate Golka. The special liturgy will take place at the CoBank Arena at the National Western Complex in Denver, with the opening procession beginning at 1:30 p.m. During the Installation Mass, the Archbishop-designate officially becomes the new Archbishop of Denver.
What is a Mass?
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the Catholic Church's central act of worship. In it, Catholics worship God the Father through Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. At each and every Mass, the Paschal Mystery — the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ — is made present anew, not merely reminding those gathered of historical events, but re-presenting them as real, grace-filled, salvific actions.
In the Mass, the Holy Eucharist is consecrated from ordinary bread and wine, becoming Jesus Christ’s actual Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity truly and substantially present on the altar.
This, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, is “the source and summit” of the Catholic faith. Not only did Jesus, true God, become man to save us 2,000 years ago, but he comes to save and nourish us under the appearance of bread every day in every Mass.
What makes this Mass different?
The Installation Mass begins as a normal Mass would, with opening hymns and a procession. Given the scale of this celebration and the number of clergy in attendance, the procession will certainly be lengthy, necessitating more than one processional hymn!
After the procession, Archbishop Aquila will ask Christophe Cardinal Pierre, the apostolic nuncio, who is the pope’s official representative in the United States, to read the Apostolic Letter assigning Archbishop-designate Golka as the sixth Archbishop of Denver.
From the ambo, the liturgical podium, Cardinal Pierre will read the letter for all those gathered.
Afterwards, the parchment will be handed to Archbishop-designate Golka, who will show the letter to the College of Consultors, an advisory body of archdiocesan priests constituted by canon law, and to the Archdiocesan Chancellor, John Magee. At this moment, according to canon law, the archbishop-designate takes possession of the archdiocese and formally becomes the Archbishop of Denver.
He will continue on with the Apostolic Letter, presenting it to the bishops, priests, deacons and faithful gathered for the Installation Mass.
With that official appointment received, Archbishop Golka will return to the stage and will be led to the cathedra, the special chair that symbolizes the archbishop’s authority entrusted to him by God and the Church. The cathedra being used for the Installation Mass was used by Archbishop Urban Vehr, Denver’s fourth bishop and first archbishop, and has been restored specifically to mark this special occasion. Archbishop Golka will sit in the seat, symbolizing his taking possession of the office of Archbishop, and Archbishop Aquila will hand over the crosier, the shepherd’s staff symbolizing his pastoral mission.
Once seated as the new Archbishop of Denver, Northern Colorado’s new shepherd will be greeted by representatives of the archdiocesan clergy, members of the archdiocesan faithful, ecumenical, interfaith and other leaders.
From here, Mass continues as normal with the Gloria, celebrated by Archbishop Golka — his first Mass as Archbishop of Denver.
Mass of Taking Possession of the Cathedral
On March 26, 2026, Archbishop Golka will take possession of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver at the 12:10 p.m. Mass.
What is a cathedral? Why take possession of it?
The home of the cathedra, the cathedral is the bishop’s church, a symbol of the unity of the diocese and of the bishop’s office and authority to preach, teach and minister. The cathedral is more than a focal point or a beautiful church, though it certainly is a beautiful focal point in the Denver skyline! It is the seat of the archdiocese, the mother church of Northern Colorado.
As with any transition, there is a proverbial “handing on of the keys” necessary. But in the case of a newly installed archbishop, the transition involves more than a photo or announcement. Given the magnitude of his new role as Northern Colorado’s spiritual father, Archbishop Golka will need to ceremonially take up his mantle at the archdiocese’s mother church. This is the final symbol of his new mission.
What happens during the Mass of Taking Possession?
Before Mass begins, Archbishop Golka will knock on the Cathedral’s front doors, ceremonially asking for entry to take up his new mission. Father Michael Bodzioch, the Cathedral’s rector, will open the door and hand Archbishop Golka the keys to the Cathedral.
Once inside, the archbishop will also be presented with a crucifix, resting on a pillow, which he will receive and kiss before blessing himself with holy water and sprinkling those gathered.
Archbishop Golka will then make his way to the tabernacle, the ornate golden box in every Catholic church where the Eucharist is kept, in front of which he will kneel and pray for a short time before preparing for Mass.
Once he’s vested and ready for Mass, he will process in and take up his seat in the Cathedral’s cathedra. Once there, he’ll be greeted by the priests, deacons and other members of the Cathedral community.
With this, the rites by which he begins his ministry as Archbishop of Denver formally conclude, and Mass continues as normal.
This liturgical taking possession often takes place during the Installation Vespers or Mass, when either is hosted at the diocese’s cathedral. In Denver’s case, since both liturgies will take place at the CoBank Arena at the National Western Complex in Denver, a separate Mass of Taking Possession is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the archbishop called "Archbishop-designate" before the Installation?
When a bishop is appointed to lead an archdiocese, he is called "archbishop-designate" until he formally takes possession of the archdiocese during the Installation Mass. According to canon law, this occurs when he presents the Apostolic Letter of Pope Leo XIV to the Archdiocese's College of Consultors, an advisory body of priests, and to the archdiocesan chancellor.
This differs from a priest who is named a bishop for the first time. In that case, the cleric is called "bishop-elect," since he has not yet been ordained a bishop. His episcopal ordination must take place before he takes possession of the diocese to which he is appointed.
So, since Archbishop-designate Golka was already a bishop when he was appointed to become the sixth Archbishop of Denver, he cannot be ordained again and is called "archbishop-designate."
Why is the Installation taking place on the Solemnity of the Annunciation?
One of the Catholic Church's major feast days, the Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates the day the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would conceive Jesus. In that same message, the angel told Mary that Jesus would be the Savior and alluded to his suffering, death and Resurrection.
This pivotal feast day highlights for Catholics, Christians and all people the importance of following God's will, no matter where it might lead. On the same day that Mary said "yes" to God's plan and brought forth our Lord and Savior, Archbishop-designate Golka will say his own "yes" in order to bring Jesus to the faithful throughout Northern Colorado.
What’s Archbishop-designate Golka like?
Denver’s new archbishop has been described as a man of prayer, first and foremost — a man with a deeply pastoral heart.
To learn more about his background, read more in a recently published Q&A with Archbishop-designate Golka!
And stay tuned for a Denver Catholic special edition magazine, coming to a mailbox or a Catholic church near you soon! To sign up to receive the Denver Catholic print magazine, click here.
Can my family and I attend the Installation events?
Absolutely! In fact, we’d love to see you there! Each attendee will need a QR code ticket, which they can get for free by RSVPing here.
Note that the Mass of Taking Possession will not require a ticket, but that Vespers and the Installation Mass will.
Will there be accommodations for those with disabilities?
Yes, the National Western Complex has several ADA parking spaces and seats available to make access easier for those with disabilities.
Will the Installation events be livestreamed?
Yes, the Installation Mass and the Mass of Taking Possession of the Cathedral will be livestreamed on archden.org/live-events. The faithful are invited to participate in person, if they are able, by registering here or by livestream.
Note that the Mass of Taking Possession will not require a ticket, but that Vespers and the Installation Mass will.
Why are these events not taking place at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver?
Unfortunately, Denver’s cathedral is too small for a historical liturgical event of this scale — it can only seat 800 people!
In the interest of including as many bishops, priests, deacons, religious men and women, and faithful laypeople as possible, Archbishop Golka and the Archdiocese secured the CoBank Arena at the National Western Complex as a suitable alternative venue for these events.
What will Archbishop Aquila do in retirement? Will he stay in Denver?
A man of good discernment, Archbishop Aquila is still praying about that!
In a recent visit to St. Vincent de Paul School in Denver, he told students he looked forward to doing “the fun stuff” in retirement: “celebrate Mass and hear Confessions.”
No matter what the particulars look like, one thing is sure: Archbishop Aquila will continue to serve the Lord and his Church however God calls him to!
What does an archbishop do?
An archbishop is the chief shepherd of the Catholic Church in a particular area. He preaches and teaches the faith, celebrates the sacraments and serves as a spiritual father for Catholics in the region. In a special way, archbishops normally celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation, in which the faithful are strengthened with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, they also ordain men as deacons, priests and bishops.
The Archbishop of Denver is the local spiritual leader of the Catholic Church in Northern Colorado, responsible for leading souls closer to Jesus Christ. As a successor of the apostles chosen by Jesus, he serves as a local sign of the unity and continuity of the Catholic Church.
In short, through his ministry, Archbishop Golka will work to continue God's mission in Northern Colorado: "so that in Jesus Christ all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father."
What's the difference between a bishop and an archbishop?
Both bishops and archbishops have been ordained to the third and highest order in Holy Orders: the episcopacy. They have the same sacramental authority.
But an archbishop typically leads a larger or historically significant diocese known as an archdiocese. Many archbishops serve as metropolitan archbishops, fostering collaboration and unity among neighboring dioceses within an ecclesiastical province.
Here in the Archdiocese of Denver, the archbishop serves as the metropolitan archbishop for the Dioceses of Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Cheyenne.
