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.

Assumption Seminary is proud of our distinctive and highly regarded program for the formation of those considering a call to the ministerial priesthood. Our multicultural, bilingual, pastorally grounded approach to formation responds well to the needs of the dioceses we serve. We treasure all our seminarians and the commitments they have made to respond to their call to the priesthood. Following the lead of Pope Francis, in addition to partnering with renowned institutions for top-notch education, we strive to bring about the full formation of the human spirit so that our priests can better serve God’s people. While always striving to strengthen our distinctive seminary formation program, we also are looking towards developing Assumption Seminary as a center for continuing formation of priests in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and throughout the region.

Our objective is to be the heartbeat of lifelong priestly formation for the region, for the country, and beyond. We know our goals cannot be met without the generosity of those who belong to our archdiocese and those that entrust their seminarians to us.

We ask that you consider a gift to Assumption Seminary. Among our needs are seminarian support, program support, and capital improvements. And, most importantly, pray for our seminarians, our seminary, and for the fruitfulness of the important work that God has entrusted to us.

As we all take part in the Eucharistic Revival of the Catholic faith, know that any gift given to Assumption Seminary goes toward the preparation of priests who will continue to make the Eucharist available in our parishes and dioceses.

Humbly yours in Christ,

Rev. James Myers, PSS

Rector, Assumption Seminary

A Period of Devout and Expectant Delight

Advent has a twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. For these reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight. As we continue in this journey of preparation, we share commentary on Proper Prayers of Advent from the Roman Missal for Our Second Sunday of Advent from the USCCB.

This festival and pilgrimage will begin at 7 a.m. at Mission San Juan (9101 Graf Rd, SATX 78214) and end with an 8:30 a.m. outdoor Mass at Mission Espada followed by additional dancing. You’re invited to process with the Matachines, who honor Our Lady of Guadalupe through their dance. Bus transportation from Mission Espada back to Mission San Juan will be available. For more information, call (210) 328-3939 or see the El Camino de San Antonio Missions calendar.

The Matachine Festival hosted by Mission Concepción will he held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the El Camino de San Antonio Missions campus (263 Felisa St., SATX 78210). There will be Matachine dance troupes, food booths, fair trade items, and music. For more information, call (210) 328-3939 or see the El Camino de San Antonio Missions calendar.

This year, Christmas falls on a Monday. A vigil Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24, or Mass on Christmas Day fulfills the Holy Day obligation. But what about the fourth Sunday of Advent? Celebrating a vigil Mass on Saturday, Dec. 23, or a morning Mass on Sunday, Dec. 24, fulfills the fourth Sunday of Advent obligation. We developed a helpful guide for planning your Mass schedule.  The Pillar, a Catholic news outlet, has also published a helpful article regarding the fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas this year.

Eighty-five adults received the sacrament of confirmation from Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette at a Mass at St. Gregory the Great Church on December 2. According to the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, “The reception of the sacrament of confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace … by the sacrament of confirmation [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.” 

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To find more archdiocesan events and activities visit our website, www.archsa.org.

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