Archbishop Samuel Aquila was born in 1950, in Burbank, California and was ordained to the priesthood in Denver, Colorado, on June 5, 1976. He served in parish ministry for 11 years, earning a Licentiate in Sacramental Theology in 1990 and serving as Director for the Office of Liturgy and Master of Ceremonies in the Archdiocese of Denver from 1990 until 1995. He also served as Secretary for Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Denver from 1995 until 1999 and from 1999-2001 he served as the first Rector of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver and Chief Executive Officer of Our Lady of the New Advent Theological Institute.

In 2002, he became Bishop of Fargo, and in 2012, he was installed as the Archbishop of Denver, returning to lead the Archdiocese where he had originally served as a priest for 25 years. Archbishop Aquila’s episcopal motto comes from the Blessed Virgin Mary’s instructions at Cana: “Do whatever he tells you (Jn 2:5).”

Theology of the Body – Video Sample: