The Dicastery of Evangelization released a note on configuration and opening of Holy Doors in Cathedral Churches, in International and National Shrines, as well as in other particularly significant places of worship as the Ordinary Jubilee “Pilgrims of Hope” 2025 approaches. Only the papal Basilicas of Saint Peter, Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major, and Saint Paul Outside the Walls and exceptionally [at Holy Father’s personal desire] ‘a Prison’ to be announced will host Holy Doors.
Archbishop Gustavo has approved designated pilgrimage sites to celebrate the Jubilee within the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Pastor: Fr. Pat O’Brien
Address: 6425 West Ave., San Antonio, TX 78213
Contact: 210-344-9265 | Patrick.O’[email protected]
Antonian was established in 1964 by the Archdiocese of San Antonio with the support of the pastors from twelve northside parishes and was originally staffed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Antonian students have been supported by over 50 years of rich history and traditions. Preparing students academically, socially, and emotionally for higher education and life demands an environment reflective of the real world.
Pastor: Fr. Gregory Ross
Address: 1715 N. Zarzamora St., San Antonio TX, 78201
Contact: 210-735-9126 | [email protected]
The first National Shrine in the United States dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Basilica of the Little Flower serves Catholics in the San Antonio area as a traditional parish, but also serves people from across the nation and all walks of life as a historical and spiritual landmark. The community of Discalced Carmelite Friars continue to serve parishioners, and anyone called to explore the beauty of Carmel. Little Flower’s classical architecture echoes the designs of old-world churches, with the Tomb Chapel of St. Thérèse inspired by the original Tomb Chapel in Lisieux. The Basilica’s treasury of art, craftsmanship, and relics includes first-class relics of St. Thérèse, her parents, St. Louis Martin and St. Zélie Guérin Martin, as well as several other Discalced Carmelite saints.
Director: Rebecca Simmons
Address: 263 Felisa St., San Antonio, TX 78210
Contact: 210-912-4374 | [email protected]
Pilgrimage is growing along the El Camino de San Antonio Missions Trail where you can experience the sacred through four eighteenth century Spanish Missions and the oldest functioning Cathedral in Texas. San Antonio is the only place outside Europe that you can officially begin walking the El Camino de Santiago. Discover the sacred in the heart of San Antonio and be transformed.
Pastor: Fr. Wieslaw Iwaniec
Address: 13879 N. FM 81, Panna Maria, TX 78144
Contact: 830-780-2748 | [email protected]
Panna Maria is the oldest permanent Polish settlement in the United States. For pilgrimage visitors, the historic Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary church is open daily. Once inside, the painted ceilings display beautiful religious and Polish symbols. A mosaic of Our Lady of Czestohowa, gifted to the parish by President Lyndon Johnson, adorns the front of the church. Also in front are special hand-carved chairs made for Pope John Paul II’s 1987 visit to San Antonio.
The first Polish school in America, the old St. Joseph’s School, is now a museum open for tours through the Panna Maria Historical Society at the Visitor’s Center. The Polish Heritage Center offers a documentary about the founding of Panna Maria, and it also displays exhibits featuring Polish history and that of the first Polish immigrants to South Texas.
Pastor: Dcn. Ray Jimenez
Address: 807 Mission Rd., San Antonio, TX 78210
Contact: 210-533-8955 | [email protected]
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña was completed in 1755 and is the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. But unrestored does not mean unchanged. Originally it had colorful exterior decorations and numerous frescoes within the church, portions of which are still visible. The church is named in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, another name for the Virgin Mary, Jesus’s Mother. Inside you will see several images of the Virgin Mary. The presider’s chair at Mission Concepcion was the chair St. John Paul II used when it was at San Fernando’s during his papal visit to San Antonio in 1987.
Pastor: Fr. Carlos “Charlie” Martinez
Address: 10040 Espada Rd., San Antonio, TX 78214
Contact: 210-627-2064 | [email protected]
Mission San Francisco de la Espada is the smallest and oldest of the San Antonio missions having begun in East Texas in 1691 before moving to San Antonio in 1731. At its peak the mission was occupied by over 100 Indian converts who manufactured bricks, ran a ranch with 1000 head of cattle, and learned textile skills. Today many visitors come to the mission to pray before the crucifix containing the relic of Saint John Paul II.
Pastor: Fr. Dennis Schafer
Address: 701 East Pyron Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78214
Contact: 210-922-0543 | [email protected]
Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo is over 300 years old. Known as the “Queen of the Missions,” it is one of the most active parishes in South San Antonio. The beautiful architecture, sculptures, and paintings, were created to share the Catholic Faith and lift the minds of all who entered the Church from earthly things up to the beauty and grace of heaven. The Rose Window, located on the south wall of the church sacristy, is described as the site where the Host was shown to gathered Mission celebrants during the Feast of Pentecost. It was sculpted in 1775 and is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in North America.
Pastor: Fr. Dennis Schafer (Interim)
Address: 9101 Graf Rd., San Antonio, TX 78214
Contact: 210-532-2806 | [email protected]
Mission San Juan Capistrano moved from east Texas to San Antonio in 1731. It is the closest mission to the San Antonio River that provided all the missions with water for their crops through an innovative series of acequias or water canals built by the mission Indians. These acequias are still visible, and at Mission San Juan you can experience history as the fields are still watered by an acequia in existence since the eighteenth century.
Pastor: Fr. Leoyd Sanggaria
Address: 15825 Bexar St., La Coste, TX 78039
Contact: 830-985-3357 | [email protected]
Our Lady of Grace-La Coste, located 6 miles south of Castroville, was established in 1910 when seventy-five families sought to build a Catholic church. Construction began in January 1911, and the church was dedicated in June 1911 by Bishop Shaw. The parish has grown from its original seventy-five families to nearly eight hundred today and has since been designated as a historical site.
The first school opened in 1913, expanded in 1920, and a parochial school was then built and operated from 1959 to 1966. This building is now used for faith formation. The church saw several additions and renovations, including a sanctuary, sacristy, and bell tower in 1924, interior decoration in 1947, and new altars, central heating, and air conditioning in 1979. Recent renovations include new carpet, pews, and repainted statues and Stations of the Cross. The church features beautiful stained-glass windows, new murals on the side walls of the altar, and icons (originally painted on ceiling walls) repainted on boards for easy restoration in the future.
The parish cemetery, established in 1913 with donated land, was expanded in 1985 and is nearing capacity, though two additional acres were recently acquired. A cement-floor pavilion and kitchen were built in 1958 with boards from the old school, and a parish hall was dedicated in 1985. Both are still in use, with the hall recently refurbished.
Pastor: Fr. Andrew Martinez
Address: 1321 El Paso St., San Antonio, TX 78207
Contact: 210-226-4064 | [email protected]
The Virgen de Guadalupe is a very common sight to Mexican-American communities. Built in 1911, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine is very special to those wanting to visit our blessed mother, welcoming many tourists from all over San Antonio and surrounding cities visiting every day. Pilgrims will have an opportunity to see the beautiful architecture, which remains the same as the day it was built, as well as pray in front of the Statue of the Virgin Mary that “shed tears” back on June 15, 1992. They may also visit Avenida Guadalupe Plaza, where St. Pope John Paul II celebrated mass during his papal visit in 1987.
Pastor: Fr. Matthew DeLeon
Address: 408 Fort Clark Rd., Uvalde, TX 78801
Contact: 830-278-3448 | [email protected]
Sacred Heart was established in 1892, serving the growing Catholic community of Uvalde, which was founded in the 1850s. The original church was built to accommodate the spiritual needs of the influx of settlers and immigrants, reflecting the region’s diverse heritage. Over the decades, Sacred Heart has been a cornerstone of the Uvalde community, hosting countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals. It has been a place of gathering and support, especially during challenging times, including natural disasters and social upheavals. The parish continues to be a beacon of hope and healing, particularly in the aftermath of the shooting at Robb Elementary. Its role as a spiritual refuge underscores the church’s commitment to serving as a source of comfort and strength. An image of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the parish’s namesake, is located within the church.
Pastor: Fr. Carlos Velazquez
Address: 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Contact: 210-227-1297 | [email protected]
San Fernando Cathedral has been the center of life in San Antonio since the cornerstone was laid between 1738 and 1750. The original walls of the historic structure were incorporated into the present-day Cathedral in the 1800’s. While not a mission, this church was closely connected to all missions. As the oldest continuous functioning Cathedral in the United States, San Fernando represents the heart of San Antonio, past and present. Pilgrims will be to stand at the historical center of San Antonio, literally. A marker on the floor of the Cathedral designates the exact spot. Pilgrims may also visit the sarcophagus of the Alamo heroes.
Pastor: Fr. Arul Francis Arputhamian
Address: 626 Market St., Pleasanton, TX 78064
Contact: 830-569-3356 | [email protected]
A mission church (Mission of Loire) dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, was built just east of the Pleasanton City Hall near the Atascosa River. The ranch lands of the old Spanish missions stretched along the banks of the San Antonio River and its tributaries. Many settlements grew up in the course of time, and St. Andrew’s Parish in Pleasanton, thirty-three miles south of San Antonio, is in this territory. It was not a new parish, but rather the new headquarters of the old Loire-Las Gallinas-North Pleasanton Parish which, until 1946, had its headquarters at Loire. There was a tremendous flood that overflowed the Atascosa riverbanks and damaged the church building. The small frame church building was moved a short distance away to what was North Pleasanton, repaired, and the name changed to St. Andrew.
Pastor: Fr. Brian Garcia
Address: 14523 Roadrunner Way, San Antonio, TX 78249
Contact: 210-699-9594 | [email protected]
The St. Anthony Catholic Student Center is the only Catholic student center in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the only faith center at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Nestled around beautiful trees, the Catholic Student Center offers space for Mass, reconciliation, adoration, and fellowship. Fixed behind the altar, visitors can view a life-size San Damiano Cross replica that was hand-painted by former students of UTSA who were inspired and transformed by the Holy Spirit in Campus Ministry.
Pastor: Fr. Marcin Czyz
Address: 14714 Edgemont Street, San Antonio, Tx 78247
Phone: 210-653-3316 | [email protected]
The first St. Helena’s Church was an octagonal shaped, multipurpose building dedicated on July 31, 1977. This building is now known as the Leo M. Dolan Center – a place for religious education and social activities. The current church building was dedicated by Archbishop Flores on the Feast of Christ the King, November 25, 2001. This was also the same date that one of this parish’s unique features was dedicated, known as The Millennial Cross— a giant Celtic Cross made of granite rising 77 ½ feet out of a concrete base. It is located upon one of the highest hills in San Antonio and faces East in keeping with the Church’s early tradition of building its large cathedrals with the altars facing toward Jerusalem and the resurrection. Tradition says that Emperor Constantine, son of St. Helena (founder of the True Cross) looked up at the sun and saw a vision of the cross. The Millennial Cross serves as a powerful reminder of God’s fidelity and His presence among us. When you visit the Millennial Cross Plaza, you are invited to reflect on God’s gift of Jesus, give thanks, and renew your commitment to becoming Christ for others.
Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Fiuk
Address: 510 S. Camp St., Seguin, TX 78155
Contact: 830-379-1796 | [email protected]
St. James Catholic Church is one of the oldest in the archdiocese with the first church building blessed and dedicated in 1873—one year before the establishment of the Diocese of San Antonio. In addition to its historical roots, the church’s Gothic Revival architecture and stunning stained-glass windows create a beautiful atmosphere for worship and reflection. Even older, St. James School was built in 1850 and holds the honor of being “the oldest building in the state of Texas continuously used as a school.” St. James Catholic Church and School boasts a unique blend of historical charm and ongoing spiritual life, making it a must-visit for those who appreciate the history and beauty of the Catholic Church in Texas.
Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Fiuk
Address: 510 S. Camp St., Seguin, TX 78155
Contact: 830-379-1796 | [email protected]
St. James Catholic Church is one of the oldest in the archdiocese with the first church building blessed and dedicated in 1873—one year before the establishment of the Diocese of San Antonio. In addition to its historical roots, the church’s Gothic Revival architecture and stunning stained-glass windows create a beautiful atmosphere for worship and reflection. Even older, St. James School was built in 1850 and holds the honor of being “the oldest building in the state of Texas continuously used as a school.” St. James Catholic Church and School boasts a unique blend of historical charm and ongoing spiritual life, making it a must-visit for those who appreciate the history and beauty of the Catholic Church in Texas.
Pastor: Fr. Arnold Ibarra
Address: 236 E. Petaluma Blvd., San Antonio, TX, 78221
Contact: 210-924-4401 | [email protected]
St. Lawrence Church was established in September 1959 as a daughter parish of St. Leo’s and was named after the early Roman martyr and deacon, Saint Lawrence. In February of 1959 the first five acres of land for the church were acquired, and by April there were two additional acres purchased, upon which the church was eventually built. The first sacraments received were in October of 1959. As the community of St. Lawrence continued to grow, it required a larger building for the church. On August 10, 1998, the feast day of Saint Lawrence the Martyr, the parish broke ground for a new church building that was dedicated by Archbishop Patrick Flores on April 16, 2000. In September 2005, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez blessed the new St. Lawrence Religious Education Classrooms and the Courtyard. In September 2024, Bishop Michael Boulette blessed the Church’s new retablo. The retablo is a Colonial style art piece that was placed to enhance the brick wall of the Church Sanctuary.
Pastor: Fr. Ian Robbins
Address: 304 W. San Antonio St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Contact: 830-997-9523 | [email protected]
St. Mary Catholic Church began with a handful of German immigrants in 1846 and, since then, has been a continually growing spiritual family. The famous twin towers of the two churches, the Marienkirche (1861) and the new St. Mary (1908), have long been beacons of faith, hope, and love here in Fredericksburg and throughout the Hill Country. The community has also been blessed with St. Mary Catholic School which has educated and formed our children since 1856. On June 21, 1983, St. Mary Catholic Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Planning a visit to St. Mary Catholic Church in Fredericksburg? A short, guided tour is held after the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Mass every Sunday. Tours are also available by appointment.
Pastor: Fr. John Thompson
Address: One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228
Contact: 954-699-8949 | [email protected]
Founded by the Brothers of the Society of Mary (Marianists) in 1852, St. Mary’s University fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence. In addition to the beautiful campus scattered with shaded seating to pray, they have two chapels dedicated to our Lady—Assumption Chapel located in Reinbolt Hall and Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel located in Treadaway Hall.
Pastor: Fr. Prathap Thumma
Address: 501 North Street, Converse, Texas 78109-1209
Contact: 210-658-3816 | [email protected]
St. Monica is a vibrant Catholic community in Converse, Texas. Known locally for the strength of its ministries, including a variety of outreach programs, the community includes a parish and an Elementary/Middle School. From its origins as a small parish church in 1960, it has grown to one of the most active–faith communities in the Archdiocese. Known for the vitality of Liturgical Services, the parish warmly invites you to attend one of the Sunday or weekday Masses. The current church was erected in 1979.
Pastor: Fr. Victor Valdez
Address: 9883 Marbach Rd., San Antonio TX 78245
Contact: 210-675-1920 | [email protected]
Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church began as a parish on September 29, 1981, by the decree of Archbishop Patrick F. Flores, DD. The parish was taken from the western sections of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The parish originally started with only 350 families but has grown to well over four thousand families. On December 4, 2005, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, STD dedicated the present-day church which is one of the largest in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, providing a sacred place for many archdiocesan liturgical celebrations. On August 23, 2024, on the Feast of Saint Rose of Lima, the parish inaugurated its Perpetual Adoration Chapel. This is a great blessing for our parish and for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. During the Jubilee Year of Hope, pilgrims will have the opportunity visit the relic of Saint Rose of Lima and spend time in adoration.
Pastor: Fr. Francis Xavier Luong Quang Uong
Address: 14603 Santa Gertrudis St., San Antonio TX 78217
Contact: 832-752-9520 | [email protected]
Beginning with a spiritual need, 50 Vietnamese refugee families arrived in San Antonio in 1975 to establish their religious life and worship together. Thus, the Vietnamese Catholic Community was formed in San Antonio. The Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in San Antonio has approximately 400 registered families with over 1000 parishioners. One of the parish’s most beautiful and unique features is the Shrine to Our Lady of La Vang that was recently completed and blessed by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller on April 16, 2023. La Vang is one of the important pilgrimage sites not only for Catholics but also for people of all faiths who are interested in spending time with Mary.
With regards to the Plenary Indulgences during the Jubilee Year, the Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a decree on May 13, 2024 that states regarding pilgrimages: “The faithful, pilgrims of hope, will be able to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence granted by the Holy Father if they undertake a pious pilgrimage… by visiting the Cathedral or other church or sacred place designated by the local Ordinary. Bishops will consider the needs of the faithful as well as the opportunity to reinforce the concept of pilgrimage with all its symbolic significance, to manifest the great need for conversion and reconciliation.”
A plenary indulgence is a special grace that completely removes the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven, cleansing the soul as if the person had just been baptized.
To understand how a plenary indulgence works, it’s important to understand sin, forgiveness, and temporal punishment:
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