Friday, December 19, 2025 | | 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. | | The Holy See | Pope Leo XIV | | Pope Leo XIV exhorts young people to not let algorithm write your story | | Pope Leo XIV recently urged young people to cultivate their “interior life” and to listen to their restlessness without “fleeing from it” or “filling it” with things that don’t satisfy, lest they fall into existential emptiness. | | Message from Archbishop Gustavo
García-Siller, MSpS | |
| |  | The Word of God invites us to contemplate one luminous image: the Holy Spirit poured out as living water. The living water of the Holy Spirit has shaped our local Church for generations. As we mark 100 years as an archdiocese, we remember how the Holy Spirit has flowed through our history — strengthening the many priests, religious, and lay faithful who fled persecution in Mexico beginning in 1926. They arrived wounded yet Spirit-filled; poor yet rich in faith. Their gifts, charisms and courage joined the river of grace that still refreshes San Antonio. That mission reaches us through a long line of saints — known and unknown — who allowed the Holy Spirit to shape their ordinary lives. Some preached, others taught, others served the poor, others lived quiet fidelity in their families or embraced a contemplative life. Each became a unique vessel for the living water of the Holy Spirit. Their witness reminds us that holiness is never a copy-and-paste project. Like the people of faith who rebuilt their lives here, like the first missionaries, like all the saints, you are sent to carry faith, unity, justice, peace, and hope into our world. May this living water never cease to flow in you and through you.
| | Around the Archdiocese of San Antonio | |
La Gran Posada at San Fernando Cathedral beginning at Milam Park, 6 p.m.
ends at the Cathedral
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Celebrate Advent and Christmas
with San Antonio Deaf Catholic
at Our Lady of Sorrows Church
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Looking for a welcoming spiritual community this holiday season? Join us at Our Lady of Sorrows Church (directions) for beautiful ASL-interpreted Masses and festive gatherings designed for Deaf Catholics and their loved ones. See the full Mass schedule online.
Christmas Eve Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m., a joyful liturgy to honor the birth of Christ. Then, on Sunday, December 28, after the 11 a.m. Mass, join us in Chavez Hall for our Christmas Party and Potluck. Bring your favorite dish, and enjoy fellowship, friendship, and faith celebrated together. Try your luck with the Three Kings Cake, find a baby figure, and win a prize! Families and friends, spread the word and invite deaf Catholics you know. For more information, email Alejandra B. Lozano, Director of Deaf Ministry.
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39th Annual 2026 MLK Citywide Interfaith Worship Service and March
January 18 and January 19
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On Sunday, January 18, at 4:30 p.m., the archdiocese is honored to participate in the 39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Citywide Interfaith Worship Service and invites everyone to join this important celebration at Friendship Baptist Church (directions). Registration is not required.
Then on Monday, January 19, at 10 a.m., join us for the MLK March with parking available at St. Philip’s College and Freeman Coliseum, and complimentary VIA Transit service for pick-up and drop-off. For more details and to register go to the MLK March City of San Antonio website. Together as one community of faith, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. King as we pray, reflect, and renew our commitment to justice, unity, and beloved community.
| | Catholic Television of San Antonio | | San Fernando Cathedral hosted a Serenata and midnight Mass on the vigil of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 11, featuring matachines and musical performances. | | Photo: Veronica Markland for Today's Catholic Newspaper | | More than 140 people were confirmed by Archbishop Gustavo and Auxiliary Bishop Arturo Cepeda at the adult confirmation Mass celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Selma December 13. | |
Today's Catholic Newspaper
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2025 Catholic Directory
Five Dollar Fall Sale
Limited Quantity
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Five Dollar Fall Directory Sale $5 each!
The directory includes information and Mass schedules for parishes in the archdiocese; updated clergy assignments and a listing of religious orders and organizations; sections dedicated to archdiocesan, educational and health services; and information about archdiocesan priests, deacons, brothers, women religious.
Limited quantity available. To purchase, email Mandy Franco, call (210) 734-1610, or click here.
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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.
| | | | | Don't miss out on the latest news and updates! Visit our Linktree profile now to subscribe to Today's Catholic Newspaper, sign up for The New Messenger, and explore archsa.org. Join our community and stay informed. | | | Copyright © 2025 Archdiocese of San Antonio. All rights reserved. | | | | |
