Archbishop Aquila to Celebrate Mass with Broncos

Aquila: “We pray for protection, good sportsmanship, for their gifts to exceed. We place it all in the hands of the Lord.”One longtime Broncos fan will get a chance to participate in the Denver-based team’s Superbowl preparations in a very special way.
 
Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver has been cheering on the Broncos ever since his days as a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Now, at the invitation of Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, the Archbishop will be able to see the team in action at the Superbowl this Sunday in New Jersey. Moreover, he will be celebrating Mass for the team at their hotel on the Saturday prior to the game.
 
Del Rio and his wife, Linda, are practicing Catholics who have made faith a key part of their life. While speaking to reporters from the Denver Post, Del Rio said, “When things are going well, I don’t know that the challenges are as difficult as when they’re not going well, and you’re really leaning on your faith. I think, certainly, faith is involved in both. My trust in God is involved in both, my faith is involved in both, but through some of the harder times in my career, I’ve leaned harder – more fervently – on my faith.”
 
The Broncos will face the Seattle Seahawks in the 48^th Superbowl this Sunday.
 
 
Alberto González is the Associate Editor of Aleteia’s English edition. His prior endeavors have included working in political campaigns and in the United States Senate. He also maintains an active schedule as a liturgical vocalist and organist.
 
A native of California, Alberto graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2010 with a B.A. in Music and Political Science. He currently lives in the greater Washington, D.C. area.