Homilies by the Archbishop of northern Colorado.
This homily honors Pope Francis on the ninth day of mourning by reflecting on Christ's question to Peter: “Do you love me?” It challenges all disciples to place Jesus first, live the Gospel faithfully, and reject worldly ideologies. True discipleship requires ongoing conversion, obedience to God, and deep relationship with Christ. The homily emphasizes that Jesus alone offers rest, hope, and transformation—calling each person to love, trust, and follow Him wholeheartedly, especially in today's confused world.
Gathered with the priests of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Aquila speaks to the people and clergy of Denver: Jesus is not some history, or fading past; he is the present for us today. His salvation is perfectly tailored to us and the current issues of our time. Only when we turn to him will we find the answer to the ache at the core of our society and in each of our hearts.
Archbishop Aquila delivers a homily from the pulpit of the Cathedral Basilica on Palm Sunday 2025. Holy Week is not a celebration of the past; it is an active invitation from God to approach the cross and take real time to enter into the greatest mystery of our Faith.
At St. Bernadette parish's 1st Scrutiny Mass held on the 3rd sunday of Lent, Archbishop delivers a homily on God's faithfulness, and how, only through encountering Jesus, can we recognize and heal from our sins.
Wednesday the 19th, the archdiocese celebrated the feast of St. Joseph and the instillation of a new rector for St John Vianney Theological Seminary: Fr. Ángel Pérez-López!
From the pulpit of the Cathedral Basilica, Archbishop illuminates the meaning behind Sunday's Readings: God's ways are not our own. Our faith in Him cannot be like a faith in anything of this world, and no matter how strange His word may seem, God will always follow through in ways we cannot even imagine.
From the pulpit of the Cathedral Basilica in Denver, Archbishop Aquila delivers a homily on the temptation of Christ in the desert. What can we learn from these passages? What voice do we follow and believe: the voice of the devil, or the voice of the one true God?
This Lenten season, Archbishop Aquila invites the Archdiocese of Denver to commence a 9 year novina to the Blessed Virgin, entering into the mystery of the Crucifixion from the perspective of Mother Mary at foot of the Cross.
On Saturday March 1st in the Cathedral Basilica in Downtown Denver, the Church welcomed 3 new deacons, ordained to the diaconate with intention towards the priesthood. Archbishop Aquila adresses them with words that apply alike to all people: Follow Jesus. He alone truly knows us.
From the pulpit of the Cathedral Basilica in Downtown Denver on the 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Archbishop Aquila reiterates Jesus's message in the Gospel reading, a simple teaching too often dismissed or explained away: "Love your enemies. Pray for your enemies." Christ speaks directly into the soul of the individual. Seek God first, and He will give you the grace to love others.
On the first of the year 2025, Archbishop Aquilla addresses the crowd gathered for Seek Cologne, Germany. Celebrating the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Archbishop delivers a homily on honoring Mary and learning from her how to be disciples in the world today, beginning first with our assent to the Will of God. He shares a deeply personal experience of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who led him to Jesus, and invites us to bring others to Jesus as Mary does, and to “do whatever he (Jesus) tells you."
Holy incense and joyful music filled the newly rennovated sancuary of Risen Christ Parish as Archbishop Aquilla celebrated the rededication mass on this 3rd Sunday of Advent. As Christmas Approaches and the hustle and bustle of preperation and gift shopping crescendos, Archbishop Aquilla reminds the congregation to turn their eyes to Jesus, especially Jesus in the Eucharist. For the whole heart of Christmas, Gods love for us expressed through the sending of His Son to the world, is presented directly to us again in every celebration of the Eucharist.
On the second Sunday of Advent at Immaculate Conception Parish, Archbishop Aquilla celebrates mass in honor of the Parish feast day. In his homily, Archbishop Aquilla highlights the message of John the Baptist and how we are called, even and especially today, to clear a path for Jesus.
The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary time 2024, Archbishop Aquilla installs Fr. Peter Mussett as the pastor of Notre Dame parish in Denver. From the pulpit Archbishop preaches on the Apocalypse mentioned in the Gospel and throughout the Sunday readings: what matters is not when and how the day of judgment will come, but how well you have loved the Lord and followed His commandments in this life. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111724.cfm
Archbishop Aquila addresses the congregation gathered to celebrate the Anniversary Mass of the Dedication of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Archbishop reminds us that we must have God as the foundation of our lives or we will never find peace, just as our country will not find peace untill it returns to God.
"His disciples will suffer with Him." Archbisop Aquila addresses the congregation of St. Mary's in Breckenridge at a mass installing their new pastor, Father Erik. In the Gospel readings, Jesus speaks to the sons of Zebedee who candidly ask the Son of God for a seat at His right and left hand when He comes into power, maybe not fully understanding that Jesus' victory will not be the toppling of Rome which the Israelites so hoped for. Today, we Christians truely are called to share in Jesus's victory: a victory which is not of this world, a victory which is in His Crucifixion and Resurrection. As the politics and sentiments of today's age seem to shift further and further from God's will, we must be ready to suffer and remain faithful to Jesus Christ, choosing His will over our own. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102024.cfm
On the 100th anniversary of St. Ignatius Parish in Denver, Archbishop Aquila preached on the "living stones" that make up the Church of God, and which have made up St. Ignatius over the last 100 years. As living stones, we Christians are called to emulate the zeal for the house of God that Jesus himself had, as the Gospel from the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time tells us. When we grow in zeal like Jesus did, we follow him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life closer to the Father.
Archbishop Aquila addresses the congregation of St. Ignatius Loyola in Denver, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the dedication of their parish. In his homily, the Archbishop discusses the meaning of Catholicism in today's age and political environment, and viewing the world through God's eyes. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101324.cfm
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092924.cfm
Archbishop Aquila addresses the congregation at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Denver, celebrating the instillation of their new Pastor. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091524.cfm
Archbishop Aquila addresses the attendees of the 100th Anniversary celebration of Sacred Heart parish in Roggen. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091524.cfm
Every year the Deacons of the Archdiocese gather and celebrate mass with their Archbishop. This year Archbishop Aquila adresses the Denver Perminant Diaconate as it celebrates its 50th year! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082924.cfm
Archbishop Aquila delivers a homily to the congregation of St. Stephen's in Glenwood Springs. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090124.cfm
At St. Patrick's Parish in Holyoke, Archbishop Aquila gives a homily concluding the eucharistic series. Archbishop Aquila asks the congregation: Who is Jesus? Do you believe Him? Who do you serve? Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm
July 21st 2024: Archbishop Aquila addresses the parishoners of the Cathedral Basilica of of the Immaculate Conception in a Sunday homily. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072124.cfm
June 14th 2024, Archbishop Aquila adresses the atendees of a prominent event at Christ the King Chapel, echoing the message of the Gospel reading: offer your concerns and your worries up to God. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071424.cfm
June 30th 2024, Archbishop Aquila addresses the parish of Our Lady of the Mountains in Estes park, celebrating their 75th annevarsary as a parish. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/063024.cfm
At St. Joseph's parish in Fort Collins, Archbishop Aquila gives a homily on God's covenant and gift of His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060224.cfm
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060924.cfm
Pentecost Sunday 2024 Archbishop Aquila joined Spirit of Christ in celebrating the parish's 50th anniversary. On Pentecost we celebrate the birth of the Church and the coming down of the Holy Spirit. Note: Due to recording issues this audio is imperfect and stutters in and out at points. We are working on a fix. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052823-Day.cfm
Archbishop Aquila addresses the congregation in a homily for the ordination of six new priests to the archdiocese.
Archbishop Aquila addresses the attendees of the Convención Eucarística Arquidiocesana in his homily.
Archbishop Aquila gives a Vigil Mass homily to the atendees of the Holy Family School Gala.
Christ is Risen! Praise God! Archbishop Aquila delivers a homily to the congregation attending the Easter Vigil mass at the Cathedral Basilica of The Immaculate Conception. Easter is our greatest feast day, as we celebrate the resurrection and victory of our Lord! The Archbishop explains the meanings and connections highlighted in the Old and New Testament readings, and how Jesus's resurrection sits at the center of creation history. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033024.cfm
At St Louis parish in Englewood, Archbishop Aquila deliveres a homily on the words of the Concluding Doxology: “Through Him, with Him and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.” Approaching Easter and always, we must be Christ-centered, listen to God's word, and focus our lives around God's glory. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032424.cfm
Archbishop Aquila addresses the attendees of the Saint John Vianney Seminary Gala Mass, at Holy Ghost parish.
At Sacred Heart Parish in Boulder, Archbishop Aquila addresses the congregation with a homily on Jesus's call for the world to believe and trust in Him, and how the Church answers that call through the Eucharist. Readings (Year A): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032722-YearA.cfm
At Ascension Parish in Denver Archbishop Aquila delivers a homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, reflecting on the words of God the Father: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." After mass, Bishop Aquila was pleased to bless the parish's new classroom addition. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfm
At Our Lady of the Valley in Windsor, Archbishop Aquila gives a homily on the meaning of the covenants between God and man we hear in the readings. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021824.cfm
Hoy, al comenzar la temporada de Cuaresma, el arzobispo Samuel J. Aquila ha publicado una nota pastoral de Cuaresma titulada “Escúchenlo”. Comparte la importancia de tomar este tiempo de Cuaresma para silenciar nuestros corazones a través de la oración, permitiéndonos escuchar la voz de Dios y aprender de Jesús como nuestro maestro.
Archbishop Aquila has released a Pastoral Note entitled “Listen to Him.” It shares the importance of taking this time during Lent to silence our hearts through prayer, allowing us to hear God's voice and the teachings of Jesus.
From the Cathedral downtown, Archbishop Aquila gives a homily to the congregation and people of Denver on this Ash Wednesday. Archbiship draws from the readings to show that, beyond the surface appearance, the distribution of ashes comes with a true deep call for us to rend our hearts and look beyond ourselves to God, and to accept His love. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
From the pulpit at the Cathedral, Archbishop adresses the participants of a special healing Mass hosted by the Order of Malta. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021124.cfm
On Feb. 10, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila ordained two men to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Blaise Buches and Jose Delgado.
From the pulpit of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Denver, Archbishop Aquila gives a homily on the persistent presence of God, Who's love for us endures even in our suffering. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfm
Archbishop Aquila delivers a homily at the Cathedral for the feast of Epiphany, the celebration of the 3 wise men's visit to the child Jesus. The homily points to the prophicies fulfilled in the visit and how they apply more broadly to Christs desire to reach all nations, and human hearts in all conditions. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010724.cfm