Up Bishop Aquila Homilies & Messages Vicars General Chancellor's Office

homilies & messages


Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, D.D.

Several of Bishop Samuel Aquila's homilies, presentations and other messages are transcribed so that people throughout the Diocese and the world can "hear," via the Internet, our Bishop's teachings about Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church and our responsibility to "live" our faith.  We are pleased to share them with you.

All items are listed in descending order, with the most recent appearing at the top. If you can't find what you are looking for, please contact the Office of Communications at 701-356-7958.

Pastoral
Letters
Presentations Instruction
& Statements
Homilies VIDEO

Pastoral Letters

Church offers plenary indulgence for observance of Year of St. Paul September 9, 2008

You Will Know the Truth and the Truth Will Set You Free  November 30, 2004
Bishop Aquila's pastoral Letter on Deepening our Understanding of the Truths of the Catholic Faith

Bringing New Life to Our Faith Communities: A Pastoral Letter on the Reorganization of Parishes in the Diocese of Fargo  August 21, 2004

Pastoral Letter on Parish Life  July 25, 2003

Send Forth Your Spirit  August 2002 - Bishop Aquila's pastoral letter on the Sacrament of Confirmation

Presentations

St. Paul, Missionary of Hope - Talk given at the Leading with Hope in Uncertain Times conference, St. Joseph, MO, Diocese of Kansas City, March 10, 2009

Living our faith in our public lives - Talk presented at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Fargo, Sept. 18, 2008

The Sanctity of Human Life from Conception to Natural Death - Talk presented at Loyola College, Baltimore, MD, Nov. 15, 2007

Bible, Prayer and Intimacy with God - Summary of Talk presented at Called to Lead Conference given on July 13, 2006, Minneapolis, MN

The Eucharist, the Bishop and Spiritual Fatherhood Talk presented at the 4th Annual Symposium on the Spirituality and Identity of the Diocesan Priest, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, March 3, 2005

Blessed Gianna Maternity Home Dinner, Feb. 17, 2004

instruction & STATEMENTS

Do not doubt what Jesus has told us:  we are truly saved through him April 2009
(Printed in the April 2009 issue of New Earth, the newspaper for the Diocese of Fargo)

Letter to Fr. John Jenkins, President, University of Notre Dame, regarding invitation to President Obama April 5, 2009

Statement of the Catholic Bishops of North Dakota on Pro-Life Legislation in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly
(
Presented at the State Capitol in Bismarck, N.D., March 12, 2009)
   
Proposed Amendments
   Concerns the amendments address

   A Legislative Agenda for Life

  
Read a letter by Catholic University of America Law Professor Robert Destro on the amendments

With our Faith we have Great Hope: A Message for God’s Gift Appeal 2009
(Videotape message shared in Diocese of Fargo parishes in February 2009)

All is “Gift”: A Call to Stewardship November 2008
(Message for Diocese of Fargo Stewardship Enhancement Days)

Support, in word and deed, the dignity of human life November 2008
(
Printed in the November 2008 issue of New Earth, the newspaper for the Diocese of Fargo)

Knowing Church teaching is essential to the exercise of faithful citizenship September 2008 (Printed in the September 2008 issue of New Earth, the newspaper for the Diocese of Fargo)

Parents Form the Hearts and Minds of Children through Love and Example October 2007

Statement regarding Marriage Protection Amendment May 19, 2006

Bishops of ND/MN joint statement opposing the death penalty in the prosecution of Alfonzo Rodriguez, Jr.    June 2004  

Instruction on Catechesis  September 13, 2003

Catholic Schools - Handing on our Catholic Faith  September 8, 2003

Instruction on Chastity  December 8, 2002

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HOMILIES

God is faithful to his promises given April 11, 2009, Easter Vigil, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo.
(Audio version) Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

Make Jesus’ words your words given April 9, 2009, Holy Thursday, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo.
(Audio version)
Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

Joseph: A model of fatherhood given April 6, 2009, Chrism Mass, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo.
(Audio version) Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

Like Jesus, we must recognize our need for God given April 5, 2009, Palm Sunday, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo.
(Audio version)
Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

Bring yourselves, with all of your weaknesses, to Jesus given March 15, 2009, Third Sunday in Lent, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
(Audio version) Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

40 Days for Life Homily given Nov. 2, 2008 - at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
(Audio version) Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

Catholics must place the God-given inalienable right to life above loyalty to political candidates and parties: We are God's first
Homily given October 19, 2008 at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

The dignity of human life is inherent and bestowed by God
Homily given Sept. 28, 2008 -- Walk with Christ for Life Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
Watch online
(Audio version) Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

Jesus prays for each of us from His cross, begging His Father, “Father, forgive them” Homily given March 21, 2008 - Good Friday at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

We must discover and receive the love of the Trinity for us  Homily given March 17, 2008 - Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo 
(
Audio version)
Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

We are the sheep Jesus holds in his hand Homily given at Confirmation Masses throughout the Diocese of Fargo during April and May 2007

Christ lives in me Homily given April 7, 2007 - Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

In receiving the Eucharist, we become Christ Homily given April 5, 2007 - Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Our actions and decisions must reflect the dignity of the human person - Edited version of the homily delivered January 18, 2007, at the Legislative Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck

Let us beg God to help us receive his love Homily given December 25, 2006 – The Nativity of the Lord, Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Parents are called to help children understand the dignity of their bodies Homily  given
August 15, 2006 – Feast of the Assumption of Mary at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Jesus called Bishop James Sullivan to “come, follow me” Homily given June 17, 2006 – Funeral Mass for Bishop Emeritus James S. Sullivan at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

May Christ form your hearts Homily given June 3, 2006 – Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Priests must proclaim the truth received from God Homily given April 10, 2006 – Chrism Mass - at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

“Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:26) Homily given April 2, 2006 – Fifth Sunday of Lent - at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Jesus calls us to what God wants, not to what we want  Homily given March 5, 2006 – First Sunday of Lent - at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Fasting brings us to a deeper reverence for God  Homily given February 26, 2006 – 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time-  at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Recognize within your lives the action and power of God Homily given December 18, 2005 – Fourth Sunday of Advent and Mass for the Rite of Acolyte Installation - at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

A poverty of the United States is its approach to life Homily given Oct. 2, 2005 – Respect Life Sunday - at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Be among those who come to adore Him Homily given August 20, 2005 at World Youth Day Mass, celebrated with the Fargo youth in Bonn, Germany

Come heedfully to the great mystery of the Eucharist Homily given July 31, 2005 - the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

Our hearts must burn with love for the Eucharist  Homily given June 25, 2005 – 100th Anniversary of Corpus Christi Mass - at St. Mary Catholic Church, Dazey, ND.

The Father's will is at the heart of the priesthood Priest Ordination Homily (Audio version), given June 4, 2005, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo.
Requires Windows Media Player.  You can download it here for free.

Transitional deacons are instruments of Christ and the Church Homily - Transitional Deacons Ordination Homily - given May 21, 2005 at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

John Paul II handed on the teaching of Jesus Christ no matter what the cost  Homily - Memorial Mass for Pope John Paul II - given at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo, April 7, 2005

The Divine Law is Written Upon the Heart of Every Human Being (Part II of a two-part homily on Conscience) February 20, 2005 – 2nd Sunday in Lent

We are to be gifts to God, as He is a gift to us  Christmas Midnight Mass, December 25, 2004

Our hearts must be with Jesus, our treasure   August 8, 2004

Freedom is to choose Jesus Christ and to follow His ways  June 27, 2004

Bishop calls upon newly ordained to declare the truth  June 5, 2004

War reminds us to be people who work for peace  May 31, 2004

Deacons as ministers of the word must preach the Word of God  Diaconate Ordination, May 22, 2004

Separation of faith from life jeopardizes salvation  April 25, 2004

Jesus suffered so that we might have life  Good Friday, April 9, 2004

Jesus' humility is clear in the Eucharist and the washing of feet  Holy Thursday, April 8, 2004

Priests called to a renewal of the Sacrament of Reconciliation Chrism Mass, April 5, 2004

May we learn to walk with Jesus, doing the will of the Father  Palm Sunday, April 4, 2004

The will of the Father must be our only desire  Homily Mass of Religious Profession, March 27, 2004

Day of Prayer for Abuse Victims Feb 27, 2004

Catholics must speak more clearly the truth of the Gospel  Feb. 1, 2004

Feast Day celebrates Mary's unique role in the Word made flesh  Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2003

We are called to be people filled with hope  Dec. 7, 2003

Confirmation Mass Homily

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