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. | |
December 17, 1936 - April 21, 2025
265th Successor to St. Peter
| | “Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.” (Fratelli Tutti, 8) - Pope Francis | | |
The funeral Mass for Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of 88, will be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals on Saturday, April 26.
CTSA will broadcast the funeral service live from 3-6 a.m. with encore broadcast at 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. Watch on Spectrum Channel 15, Facebook, or our app.
| | Join Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS as he celebrates the life of Pope Francis | | |
Each night from Monday, April 21–Tuesday, April 29, Archbishop Gustavo will celebrate Mass at 7 p.m. at San Fernando Cathedral (directions) followed by a Novena in Memory of Pope Francis.
He would love to have representation from the faithful across the archdiocese to attend one of the upcoming celebrations.
Please consider joining him to celebrate the life and ministry of our late Holy Father Pope Francis. Read about the life of Pope Francis and access other prayer resources on our website.
Daily Intentions:
April 21, Day 1—"You are Peter…"
April 22, Day 2—"Feed my Sheep…"
April 23, Day 3—Peter the Unity of all the Church
April 24, Day 4—Authentic Teacher of Faith
April 25, Day 5—”Strengthen your brothers…”
April 26, Day 6—The Petrine Ministry of Mercy
April 27, Day 7—Peter: The First of the Apostles
April 28, Day 8—Union of Pope and Bishops
April 29, Day 9—Successor to the Apostle Peter
| | Message from Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS | |
| |  | After the Lord has called home our Holy Father, we began celebrating Mass nine consecutive days for the repose of his soul, as well as praying a novena with the same intention. From the moment Jorge Mario Bergoglio first heard the Good News in Buenos Aires, he sought the Risen Lord in the faces of the poor, the sick, and the forgotten. Like Peter, he risked everything on his confession of faith: not mere words, but a life poured out in humble service. Refusing the isolation of the Apostolic Palace, Francis chose to live in Casa Santa Marta — binding himself to the Body of Christ, which he also did in its poorest members, loosening the grip of clericalism and indifference. In every encounter - with migrants on Lampedusa’s shores, with prisoners in jails, with families on the outskirts — he proclaimed afresh the angel’s word at the tomb: “Do not be afraid.” Pope Francis’s 12‐year pontificate was a living commentary on the Easter mystery. In Evangelii Gaudium he urged us to proclaim the Gospel with joy; in Laudato Si’ he reminded us that care for creation is inseparable from care for the poor; in Fratelli Tutti he envisioned a universal fraternity that breaks down every wall of division. Through each major document, each encounter, each unwritten message offered by a simple gesture of compassion, the pope unlocked the treasures of mercy; he invited us to bind ourselves to Christ’s love, and to loose the bonds of fear and hatred in our world. St. Peter, once fearful and doubting, became the apostle of hope only after encountering the Risen Christ. So too, Pope Francis was formed by prayer in the Society of Jesus and by his service on the margins. He taught us that the keys of Peter are not instruments of domination, but tools of mercy — opening doors to the wounded and closing the gates of despair. As we commend the pope’s soul to eternal rest, we give thanks for the promise of the Resurrection. Let us bind ourselves in prayer during these days. May the late Holy Father’s witness inspire us to live every day in the joy of Easter — fearless in love, steadfast in hope, and active in compassion. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and under the Petrine promise, may we, too, bear witness to the risen Christ until He comes again.
| | | | Around the Archdiocese of San Antonio | |
Join us tomorrow morning!
Jubilee Mass & Eucharistic Pilgrimage for Youth and Young Adults
April 26
"Finding Hope in the Call"
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Relics of Cristero Mexican Martyrs and a first-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis will accompany the Pilgrims of Hope!
Offering a tangible connection to saints and the Church's history, the veneration of relics gives us an opportunity to reflect and pray, drawing us closer to Jesus. "Viva Cristo Rey!”
Join Archbishop Gustavo and Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janak from 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 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. Bus transportation from Mission Concepción to the cathedral will begin at 6:30 a.m.
Registration is free and includes bus transportation and lunch.
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Mary Calls Us to be Holy:
A Weekend Retreat for the Deaf Community
May 2-4
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All deaf Catholic are invited to this ASL-only retreat at the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) led by Father Mike Depcik, OSFS, a Deaf priest from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. All meals are included. Overnight stay is optional. Spouses attending together who choose to stay overnight will share the same room. Single attendees who choose to stay overnight will be roomed with another single attendee of the same gender.
Registration closes Monday, April 28.
| | Catholics Needed in Hospital Chaplaincy | | |
Hospital chaplains provide support to the sick and their families, offering spiritual and emotional care to those who are vulnerable.
San Antonio area hospitals need faithful Catholics who live out their vocation through serving on a care team as a chaplain.
Learn more about chaplaincy and how to become certified by visiting the National Association of Catholic Chaplains webpage. Accredited programs for both graduate studies and Clinical Pastoral Education in San Antonio are available.
If you have questions about chaplaincy or Hospital Ministry, please email Lauren Stadelman.
| | Catholic Television of San Antonio | | Photo: Veronica Markland for CTSA Catholic Television of San Antonio | | CTSA aired the Good Friday Passion of Christ re-enactment from Travis Park to San Fernando Cathedral on April 18. Parishioners Joshua Navaira portrayed Jesus, Lisa Rosas portrayed Mary, and Edgar Holguin directed the dramatization. Hundreds of cathedral parishioners had roles in the Passion of Christ. | | On Holy Thursday Archbishop Gustavo took part in the Visitation to the Seven Churches, praying at the altars of repose at San Fernando Cathedral (shown above) as well as Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, San Juan de Los Lagos Shrine, Christ the King Parish, St. Agnes Parish, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. | |
Today's Catholic Newspaper: April 25
| | GOOD NEWS! For just $18, subscribers receive 22 issues of Today's Catholic Newspaper delivered straight to their mailbox. | |
Treasures of the Archdiocese of San Antonio: A Commemorative Book
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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!
- Published by Editions du Signe | ISBN: 978-2-7468-4515-2
- 9.65” x 11.81”
- Soft cover – glossy paper – 440 pages
- Full color throughout
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Seeking to live in sacramental communion with one another, the Archdiocese of San Antonio exists to make disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ to prepare for the promise of Eternal Life.
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