On Day 7 of the virtual Advent pilgrimage we arrive in Denver and its surrounding area to recall one of the greatest saints of the twentieth century. In 1993, St. John Paul the Great arrived in Denver and set the city and country on fire with a renewed fervor for the faith, especially among the young of the country. The setting was World Youth Day 1993. The role that one Church leader had on renewing the faith in America is a reminder of the fruits that can come from providing a powerful and authentic witness to the faith, no what our station in life is.
Denver experienced a significant re-birth in the wake of the papal visit and the 1993 World Youth Day, with an incredible vocations boom. One only needs to travel to the campus where the Archdiocesan offices are now located to fully appreciate the impact. It is here at the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization, where you can find two full seminaries, an extensive Catholic library and the archdiocesan offices. Another offshoot from World Youth Day 1993 was the establishment of the Augustine Institute in Denver, which was formed in response to St. John Paul II’s call for the new evangelization. It is now the fastest growing Catholic graduate school in the United States (and has produced several magnificent talks and multimedia productions available on Formed and elsewhere).
Camp St. Malo, our featured destination today, is the retreat that St. John Paul II visited during his time in Denver. Visitors can have the same experience today, including praying at the lovely Our Lady of the Mountains Church and the Camp’s Chapel on the Rock, which was blessed by the Holy Father during his visit. There is also a new St. John Paul II trail attached to the site.
Discover more of Catholic Denver
There are other saints, and those on their way to being saints, that have strong ties back to Denver. Discover more in this travel guide to Catholic Denver.
Concluding Psalm
Today’s concluding Psalm is from Psalm 41:
“By this I will know you are pleased with me, that my enemy no longer shouts in triumph over me. In my integrity may you support me and let me stand in your presence forever. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from all eternity and forever. Amen. Amen.” (Psalm 41: 12-14)
Previous days of the pilgrimage:
Day 1 – Rapid City, South Dakota
Day 2 – Montana
Day 3 – Sacramento
Day 4 – Los Angeles
Day 5 – Tucson
Day 6 – Santa Fe
CATHOLIC CONCIERGE 
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