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.

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” - Padre Pio

‘Only the Risen Christ, by granting us the forgiveness of our sins, opens the way for a renewed world,’ the Pope added.

Pope Francis presided over Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday 2024 before giving the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing in the presence of 60,000 people. On a warm and windy Easter Sunday at the Vatican, Pope Francis proclaimed: “Jesus Christ is risen! He alone has the power to roll away the stones that block the path to life. He, the living One, is himself that path. He is the Way.”

Time is ticking, and the countdown is on! Don't miss out on your youth ministry’s chance to be part of something extraordinary. Our highly anticipated Youth Spectacular 2024: Revealed is just around the corner. Join us on Saturday, April 13, at St. Mary’s University (1 Camino Santa Maria, SA TX 78228) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. where teens will experience the ways in which God reveals himself to us through community, prayer, service, and sacraments. The cost is $25 per person, which includes admission, lunch, dinner, and an event T-shirt. Those interested in participating should contact their parish’s youth minister because registrations must be completed by the parish youth minister.

Photo: ‘The Narrow Gate’ (photo: Public domain)

When my siblings and I were very young and incorrigibly misbehaving, my mother, as a last-ditch effort to get us to listen, would occasionally pick up the rotary phone and inform us that she was calling “Mr. Meaney” to come to get us in his big car and cart us away. She would carry on credible one-way conversations with the imaginary sadist, explain to him our delicts, ask details concerning the fearsome backseat of his “terror mobile,” and agree with him about the length and severity of our detention. 

An invitation to experience the majesty and awe of the eclipse as something guided by God’s hand ...

When the moon passes between the sun and Earth creating a total solar eclipse April 8, many Catholics in its path will be looking skyward to observe the phenomenon from a spiritual and scientific perspective.

© Antoine Mekary | ALETEIA

On March 14, Pope Francis recognized a miracle that occurred after the intercession of Estephan El Douaihy (or Istifan al-Duwayhi), a Lebanese former Patriarch of the Maronite Church who lived from 1630 to 1704. The pope’s recognition opened the way for him to be recognized as blessed. 

Photo: Veronica Markland | For Catholic Television of San Antonio

The Chrism Mass, which is a celebration of the unity of the entire local Church in its role as a priestly people, was held March 26 at Holy Spirit Church. Gathered around one altar to pray with Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, in praise and thanksgiving, priests and lay people are brought to a new realization of interdependence in various ministries in God’s call to serve.

Photo: Xavier Ramirez | Catholic Television of San Antonio

OST100 has been organized to locate, revitalize and preserve the roadway, businesses and historic sites of the original 1920s Old Spanish Trail (OST) auto highway for a decade long centennial celebration. San Antonio was the center of the 1920s OST Association. A parade was held March 23 from San Pedro Park to City Hall with Model T Fords as well as horses from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department and wagons. By City Hall the 0-Milestone marker at 100 Military Plaza between North and South Flores Streets is attached to a boulder at the northeast corner of the building, Commerce Street. Girl Scouts assisted with an unveiling ceremomy. A re-enactment of the OST 0-Milestone dedication took place with the invocation recited by an Episcopal bishop, benediction prayed by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS, and remarks given by Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai.

The polarization in the Church today is a mild breeze compared with the tornado that ripped the Church apart during the lifetime of this saint. If any saint is a patron of reconciliation, Vincent Ferrer is.

Despite parental opposition, he entered the Dominican Order in his native Spain at 19. After brilliant studies, he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Peter de Luna—who would figure tragically in his life.

Of a very ardent nature, Vincent practiced the austerities of his Order with great energy. He was chosen prior of the Dominican house in Valencia shortly after his ordination.

March 29

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