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Graham Golden Obituary
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Graham Golden, O. Praem., 35, died in an automobile accident on May 21. Fr. Graham was born to Dan and Deborah Golden on January 8, 1986, in Albuquerque. He was a proud graduate of St. Pius X High School (2004) and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of New Mexico with a BA in Music and Spanish (2008). He entered the Norbertine Community of Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in 2008. After his two-year novitiate, he attended Catholic Theological Union and the University of Chicago where he received a Master's Degree from each school.
In 2015 he was ordained a Catholic priest. Fr. Graham entered the Norbertine Community with a desire to serve the poor and marginalized. Already as a seminarian he served as an intern for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The Campaign works to address the plague of poverty. After ordination, Fr. Graham worked with The Catholic Foundation as a Regional Council Coordinator to assess the needs of rural communities, particularly in Northern New Mexico. Subsequently, he served as associate and then pastor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Community (2018), and most recently became pastor of St. Augustine Parish at Isleta Pueblo. Fr. Graham was also the archdiocesan coordinator for the annual Pilgrimage for Vocations.
At Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey he had multiple responsibilities: vocation director, formation director for seminarians, founder of the Office of Christian Discipleship and Religious Vocation, as well as initiator of the annual Art at the Abbey Exhibition.
Fr. Graham was an extraordinarily dedicated, talented, and intelligent young priest. His pastoral heart touched many individuals and groups during the short six years of his priesthood. There is no replacing him.
Fr. Graham is survived by his parents, Dan and Deborah Golden, his sister Aiyuan and nephew Qiao Rong, and his Norbertine Brothers and Sisters.
A viewing will begin at 5:00 pm on Thursday, May 27, 2021, followed by a Vigil Service at 7:00 pm, both at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 5415 Fortuna Rd. NW, Albuquerque. The Funeral Mass will also be celebrated at Holy Rosary Church on Friday May 28, 2021, 10:30 am with Abbot Joel Garner, O. Praem., presiding.
A reception will follow the Mass in the Parish Hall. Burial will take place privately in the Abbey Cemetery. Services will be
livestreamed on the
website:
www.norbertinecommunity.org
Memorial gifts can be contributed to the Norbertine Community (5825 Coors Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121) toward the expansion of the Abbey's retreat center, a project in which Fr. Graham was very involved.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Graham Golden
Rachel Borek
May 20, 2025
I remember when he celebrated my 22nd birthday. He was a gentle soul, so kind and generous. We love you and miss you, Father Graham. Ora pro nobis.
Bob Richter
May 20, 2025
Graham's friendship was important to me as we met at a Taize prayer service at the De Pere abbey and it was always an important form of prayer and meditation for both of us. Prayers for his family and friends on this 4th anniversary
Frances
June 6, 2021
Graham's Christ like presence was evident at Catholic Theological Union Graduate school in Hyde Park - Chicago.
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Lucille L Montoya
May 30, 2021
Rest in Peace Father! I was blessed to have known you both at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church and The Norbertine de la Vida Monastery . The lives you touched in your 6 years made you a true disciple of Christ.
May 28, 2021
“How lucky are we to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Debbie and Dan, your little boy did good!
Much love
Susan Eckroth
Ellen Buelow
May 28, 2021
Father Graham was gifted in so many ways. My memories are of a loving pastor, especially when my husband was in intensive care at Presbyterian Rust Hospital. He came to anoint him in the midst of a very busy day. The same comforting presence was there as I prepared for a funeral. I will always cherish his smile and reaching out to give hope.
Martina Miller
May 28, 2021
My heart is broken for everyone who knew and loved Fr. Graham, especially his parents and family and close friends. He lived in love - may we all love more sincerely and openly in response to his example.
robles
May 28, 2021
even though I will miss you here on earth, I hope to meet up with you again some day in a better place. You were a beacon of light. You had a wonderful sense of humor, sensitive, compassionate and all the good things that makes a person good. You were the best of the best. God Bless you. and keep you
Stephanie Birmingham
May 28, 2021
So many wonderful memories that will forever be held close to my heart, Graham! You are missed and loved by so many!!
Annie Romero
May 27, 2021
Father Graham’s smile and many blessings he gave to my special needs son every Sunday will be missed greatly. He was always welcoming with an open heart and mind. I offer my sincere condolences to his parents, sister and brothers in Christ. His teachings and friendship will live on. Thank you Lord for the opportunities he presented to us to share his love with you. Amen
diana robles
May 27, 2021
I didn't know Father Graham personally, but I loved going to church when he was saying mass. He was a very special person. He seemed to be so compassionate, loving, caring in the way he spoke. He has certainly touched my life and I will miss seeing him at church. I will always remember him and he will always be in my heart. I pray for him and his family. Grief is very difficult when you love someone and they are a part of your life and family.
Genero Family
May 27, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. Pic: Confirmation Retreat to Santuario, youth group prayer led by Fr Graham.
Lourdes Cordova
May 27, 2021
Father Graham helped me through a very difficult time in my life. I appreciated him so much. I know he is in heaven with our Lord Jesus. God Bless Father Graham.
Monica Serna
May 27, 2021
An energetic, empathetic soul whose kind words and gentle spirit filled the space. His homilies brought hope and revealed his love of God and of his brothers and sisters and taught just how much we are loved by God. How did someone so young become so wise beyond his years and so filled with God’s love? How blessed I am to have been able to share time and space with this incredible man of God! I know God’s words are, “Well done my good and faithful servant”! I loved his smile and laugh and humility. May I take some part of what he gave, taught and lived, and pass it along in honor of his memory.
I think about and pray for his mother, father, sister and all his family and friends during this difficult time.
Matt Shumway
May 27, 2021
Fr. Graham was an amazing person. While he was certainly devout to his calling, I viewed him more as a close friend then a priest. He co-officiated our wedding when my wife and I got married I'm 2016. We were fortunate to have had breakfast with him last month as we journeyed back east. He also provided an excellent reference for my wife just a couple weeks ago for a job she recently was hired for. And he was supposed to come visit this summer and give us a house blessing. He will be severely missed. There is this gaping hole in my heart knowing this incredible person is no longer with us physically. I may not have known Fr. Graham for a long time or as well as others but in the time I've known him, I've known him to be a compassionate, caring, and attentive individual to those around him. He always had a smile on his face. RIP Father
Robert Richter
May 27, 2021
I had not seen Father Graham in over a decade however I always considered him a special friend. We met 12 1/2 years ago(!) at a taize service at the St Norbert Abbey in De Pere and was taken by his beautiful voice. I was lucky enough to have coffee, pizza, thai food and just nice get togethers during the time he was studying in De Pere and Chicago and am so glad though also feel sorrow for all those he was able to touch with his ministry and outreach in Albequeque . He was a kind and good friend and I will always carry him fondly in my heart and memories
Jaime Martinez
May 27, 2021
Rachel Borek
May 27, 2021
Father Graham Golden was friendly, compassionate, and welcoming. I appreciate him celebrating a birthday with me several years ago. Thinking and praying for the Norbertine community and Father Golden's family.
Alisan Follingstad Thompson
May 27, 2021
The community has lost an amazing shepherd. But through his amazing legacy of ministry and the vast number of lives he’s touched, I know his work will continue through all of us. We will miss you, my friend. Thank you for the beautiful example you set for all of us. May you Rest In Peace.
Regina Gonzales
May 26, 2021
I will remember your teachings, presence, smile and gentleness in Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Community. Our hearts break , but are comforted in knowing you are in our Lord's glory. I know my mom is blessed to have you in Heaven Fr. Graham. Rest in His peace as His son ✝
Elisha Dabney
May 26, 2021
Me and my family had the privilege of meeting Father Graham six years ago when he was following Father Bob! Since then he baptized my youngest in 2018. We last saw Father Graham in June of 2020 before he switched to St. Augustine for my sons First Holy Communion. His smile was so welcoming and contagious! He just made your day! You just knew he loved people! We will miss Father Graham dearly!!
Michael Kear
May 26, 2021
I first met Fr. Graham when I went on retreat at Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in January of 2017. He was a deeply spiritual, compassionate, and open-minded servant of God.
Mark and Jessica Ramirez
May 26, 2021
We are going to miss your beautiful smiling face and conversations. Thank you for all you did for everyone everyday. You will never be forgotten.
May 26, 2021
Hard to believe you are no longer with you. God be with you on your journey... we will miss you Fr. Graham and your memories and your work will carry on as you would have wanted.
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