Welcome to The New Messenger, your weekly archdiocesan newsletter featuring messages from Archbishop Gustavo, news briefs, event previews, and updated information. The Archdiocese of San Antonio's weekly newsletter is published every Friday morning.

Join the global Catholic community in praying for the health and recovery of Pope Francis, who has been suffering an extended hospitalization over the past few weeks. In his Angelus message this past weekend, the Holy Father noted: 

Sisters and brothers, I am still sending you these thoughts from the hospital, where as you know I have been for several days, accompanied by doctors and healthcare professionals, whom I thank for the attention with which they are taking care of me. I feel in my heart the “blessing” that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord; at the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people. I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world: I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am “carried” and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all!  

For the full text of the Holy Father’s address, see here. 

The USCCB has a prayer for Pope Francis on its website that you can use: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-pope-francis.  

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A group of U.S. bishops, including two cardinals, will lead a nine-day Lenten prayer service for migrants and immigrants in an online series sponsored by the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The 15-minute prayer services will begin on Friday, March 14, at noon on Zoom. Worship aids will be available in Spanish and English. Also included will be information about Catholic ministries serving migrants and immigrants. 

Join Catholics from across Texas as we put our faith into action! The Archdiocese of San Antonio is leading a delegation by bus to stand in solidarity and pray alongside our bishops at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Tuesday, April 1. We have buses departing to Austin from five different parishes at 7 a.m. and will return to San Antonio around 5 p.m. Let’s lift our voices for the common good and show that we are one Church united in faith and action.

Embark on a spiritual journey like no other along the El Camino de San Antonio Missions, one of the 23 designated pilgrimage sites in the archdiocese to which the faithful are invited to visit between now and January 6, 2026. The El Camino de San Antonio Missions offers a pilgrimage route recognized with an official pilgrim passport, a Compostela authorized by Archbishop Gustavo and the distinction of being the only place outside Europe where you can officially begin your walk on the El Camino de Santiago.

Lent is the perfect time for pilgrims to step inside these sacred spaces to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and ask: What is the reason for my hope? Rediscover your hope in Christ journeying through the soul of San Antonio. Download the free Lenten pilgrimage guide. Learn more about the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Mass at San Fernando Cathedral followed by a silent Eucharistic pilgrimage to Mission Concepción

Join Archbishop Gustavo & Bishop Gary, as we celebrate the Archdiocesan Jubilee Mass for Youth & Young Adults at San Fernando Cathedral followed by a silent Eucharistic pilgrimage to Mission Concepción and a synodal encounter at the Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center.

Registration is FREE and includes a T-shirt, bus transportation, and lunch. Please register by April 1 to receive a free T-shirt.

The Lovestrong Marriage Retreat is a weekend packed with special presentations, exercises, music, and activities designed to reinforce each couple’s commitment to each other and a deepening of their Christ-centered bond. Available in English and Spanish. The upcoming dates are March 21-23 at Blessed Sacrament-San Antonio; March 28-30 at Church of the Holy Spirit; April 4-6 at Sts. Peter & Paul-New Braunfels; April 25-27 at St. Matthew-San Antonio; June 20-22 at Our Lady of Guadalupe-Helotes (Spanish); and July 11-13 at St. Bonaventure (Spanish). For more information, download the flyer, visit the website, or call (210) 834-4430.

Photo: Veronica Markland for Today's Catholic Newspaper

More than a dozen Catholic bishops from dioceses along the border of Texas and Northern Mexico issued a joint statement February 28, emphasizing the need for proposals to improve the situation of our migrant brothers and sisters. The event took place at St. John Hall at Assumption Seminary. The bishops issued the statement while participating in the biannual Tex-Mex Border Bishops meeting this week in San Antonio. The gathering included priests, religious and layperson as well as invited representatives from other border dioceses in the United States and Northern Mexico. These bi-annual meetings have taken place for almost 40 years.

Photo: Veronica Markland for Today's Catholic Newspaper

Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette celebrated the Jubilee Pastoral Mass of Pilgrimage at Mission Concepción on March 2. The liturgy was held in conjunction with the parish’s mariachi Mass.

When you buy the commemorative book Treasures of the Archdiocesan of San Antonio you will also receive the Today's Catholic 150th anniversary magazine as an added bonus.

Don't let this opportunity slip away. Purchase your book now and take home or pass along a piece of history!

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