About Archdiocese of San Antonio
The Archdiocese of San Antonio (Latin: Archidioecesis Sancti Antonii) is a Latin Church metropolitan see of the Roman Catholic Church serving south-central Texas. Established as a diocese on August 28, 1874, from the northern territory of the Diocese of Galveston, it was elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese on August 3, 1926, and is the oldest continuously operating Catholic see in Texas. Its cathedral, San Fernando Cathedral (Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe), is one of the oldest active cathedrals in the United States, and the archdiocese serves 19 counties under the pastoral leadership of Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S., installed in 2010.
- Archbishop
- Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S.
- Established
- 1874
- Cathedral
- San Fernando Cathedral (Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe)
- Territory
- City of San Antonio and the Texas counties of Val Verde, Real, Edwards, Kerr, Gillespie, Kendall, Comal, Guadalupe, Gonzales, Uvalde, Kinney, Medina, Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, Frio, Atascosa, Bandera, and the portion of McMullen County north of the Nueces River (19 counties total, ~27,841 sq mi).
- Parishes
- 170 (2023)
- Province
- Itself the metropolitan see of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio; suffragan dioceses: Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Laredo, Lubbock, and San Angelo.
History of the Archdiocese
The Catholic roots of San Antonio run to 1675, when the first recorded Mass in Texas was celebrated near present-day Del Rio. Franciscan missions, the cornerstone of San Fernando parish in 1731, and the establishment of the Diocese of San Antonio on August 28, 1874 (by division of the Diocese of Galveston) set the stage for a quarter-millennium of continuous Catholic life. The diocese was elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese on August 3, 1926, becoming the mother see for what was then all of Texas.
- First recorded Mass in Texas — May 16, 1675 (Bosque de Larrios expedition, near Del Rio)
- Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo) founded 1718 by Fray Antonio de Olivares
- Cornerstone of San Fernando parish laid May 9, 1731
- Diocese erected August 28, 1874 by Pope Pius IX from the Diocese of Galveston
- First bishop: Anthony Dominic Ambrose Pellicer (1874)
- Elevated to Metropolitan Archdiocese August 3, 1926
- 150th anniversary of the diocese celebrated in 2024
- 100th anniversary of elevation being celebrated in 2026
Bishops and Archbishops in Succession
Eleven ordinaries have led the local Church since 1874: five bishops before elevation and six archbishops since. The see's bishops and archbishops include the first Mexican-American bishop in the United States (Patrick F. Flores), the first U.S. bishop given Holy See authority to designate extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (Francis J. Furey), the future Cardinal and Archbishop of Los Angeles (José H. Gómez), and the current shepherd Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S.
- Bishops: Pellicer (1874–1880), Neraz (1881–1894), Forest (1895–1911), Shaw (1911–1918), Drossaerts (1918–1926)
- Archbishops: Drossaerts (1926–1940), Lucey (1941–1969), Furey (1969–1979), Flores (1979–2004), Gómez (2004–2010), García-Siller (2010–present)
- Auxiliary bishops include Gary W. Janak and José Arturo Cepeda; emeritus Michael J. Boulette
San Fernando Cathedral and the Old Spanish Missions
San Fernando Cathedral (Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe) is the mother church of the archdiocese and one of the oldest cathedrals still in active use in the United States. Its cornerstone was laid in 1731, the church was completed in 1749, and the Gothic Revival dome was added in the 19th century by architect Francois P. Giraud. The cathedral was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and underwent significant renovation completed around 2011. The archdiocese also retains a stewardship role in the four other San Antonio missions — San José, Concepción, San Juan, and Espada — which together with the Alamo form the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (est. 1978).
- San Fernando Cathedral — also known as the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y Guadalupe
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Feb. 25, 1975)
- Rector: Very Rev. Fr. Carlos B. Velázquez
- Renovation completed c. 2011 under Archbishop García-Siller
- Four companion missions: San José, Concepción, San Juan, Espada (all part of the National Historical Park since 1978)
Catholic Schools
The Catholic Schools office of the archdiocese, led by Superintendent Marti West, oversees schools across 12 cities — including dual-language, Montessori, microschool, and Pre-K–12 programs. Schools can be located by city, grade, and type via the archdiocesan schools map.
- Schools located in Boerne, Castroville, Converse, Del Rio, Floresville, Fredericksburg, Kerrville, New Braunfels, Pleasanton, San Antonio, Seguin, Selma, and Uvalde
- Includes Mother Cabrini Center and St. Gerard Education & Athletic Center
- Tuition assistance, counseling, and academics programs available through the central office
- Archbishop's Medallion honors one outstanding senior from each Catholic high school (founded under Archbishop Gómez)
Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries
The Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries is the annual fundraising campaign that supports more than 30 ministries across the 19 counties of the archdiocese. The 2026 theme is *Courageous in Christ*. The Appeal funds Faith-Based Education, Service to Those in Need, Parish Life & Faith Formation, Accompanying Our Shepherds, and Evangelization through Media.
- Faith-Based Education: Catholic schools support, Catholic University of America, Hope for the Future, Superintendent's Resource Fund
- Service to Those in Need: Catholic Counseling Services, Caritas Legal Services, Crisis Response Unit, Guadalupe Community Center, Seton Home, St. PJ's Children's Home, Catholic Charities Del Rio, Project Rachel, Mobile Response Unit
- Parish Life & Faith Formation: OCIA workshops, Marriage Prep/Convalidation, Theology of the Body, World Youth Day, Youth Spectacular, Catechetical Resources
- Accompanying Our Shepherds: Diaconate Program, San Antonio Vocations, Priests' Pension Plan, Seminarian Fund
- Evangelization through Media: Catholic Television of San Antonio, Today's Catholic Newspaper
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio
Catholic Charities is one of the largest nonprofit community organizations in South Texas, providing wraparound services to families in need. Led by President/CEO J. Antonio Fernandez, it operates the Guadalupe Community Center (After School and Summer Youth Program), Seton Home, St. Peter–St. Joseph Children's Home, Catholic Counseling Services, Caritas Legal Services, the Mobile Response Unit, Project Rachel post-abortion healing, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and a recently opened regional office in Del Rio.
- President/CEO: J. Antonio Fernandez — (210) 222-1294
- Guadalupe Community Center — After School and Summer Youth Program
- Seton Home and St. Peter–St. Joseph Children's Home
- Catholic Charities Del Rio — regional office
- Crisis Response Unit, Mobile Response Unit, Parish Outreach Hotline
Vocations, Seminary, and Diaconate
Assumption Seminary, located at 2600 W. Woodlawn Ave., San Antonio, TX 78228, is the archdiocese's house of priestly formation, led by Rev. James Myers, PSS. Flores Hall, a new residence hall, was built and dedicated under Archbishop Gómez. The Vocations Office (Associate Director Sr. Ana Cecilia Montalvo Villanueva, FSpS) and the Diaconate Office (Director Deacon Mike Pawelek) coordinate discernment and formation for priests and permanent deacons (250 active in 2023).
- Assumption Seminary — 2600 W. Woodlawn Ave., San Antonio, TX 78228 — (210) 734-5137
- Flores Hall — new residence hall dedicated under Archbishop Gómez
- Diaconate Office — Deacon Mike Pawalek, Director
- 250 permanent deacons active in 2023
Catholic Cemeteries
The Archdiocesan Catholic Cemeteries office oversees four cemeteries serving the faithful of San Antonio and surrounding counties, with managers for each location.
- San Fernando Cemetery No. 1 — (210) 432-2303
- San Fernando Cemetery No. 2 — (210) 432-2303
- San Fernando Cemetery No. 3 — Manager Ismael Galvan — (210) 432-2364
- Holy Cross Cemetery (Comal/Guadalupe area) — Manager Teresa Gariepy — (210) 651-6011
Communications and Media
The Communications office (Director Jordan McMorrough) manages the archdiocese's digital presence, media relations, and the official newspaper. Catholic Television of San Antonio (CTSA) broadcasts Mass and programming; Today's Catholic is the official newspaper. Alejandro Orbezo-Elizaga serves as Spanish Media Relations officer.
- Catholic Television of San Antonio — Executive Director Yesenia Ramirez
- Today's Catholic Newspaper
- Spanish Media Relations — Alejandro Orbezo-Elizaga
- Office of Communications — (210) 734-2620 ext. 1128
Synodal Process and Archdiocesan Assembly
Under Archbishop García-Siller the archdiocese has embraced a synodal model of church life. A year-long Visioning Process with listening sessions across the deaneries produced the current vision, priorities, and goals, and each year on the first Saturday of November the archbishop convenes the Archdiocesan Assembly — a gathering of parishioners for prayer, instruction, fellowship, and celebration of the Catholic faith. The Office of Strategic Planning & Priorities / Synodal Process is led by Director Juan Carlos Rodriguez.
- Visioning Process — launched by Archbishop García-Siller in early tenure
- Annual Archdiocesan Assembly — first Saturday of November
- Director of Strategic Planning & Priorities — Juan Carlos Rodriguez
- ¡On the Way — Andale! — 2017 capital campaign, first in 60+ years
Pastoral Ministries and Outreach
Pastoral Ministries (Department Head Joan Martinez) and Parish Life (Jorge Flores) coordinate deanery-based ministry across the archdiocese, including Hospital Ministry, Criminal Justice Ministry (Deacon Adrian Cepeda), Deaf Ministry (Angela Mauer), Campus Ministry (Rev. Brian Garcia), Bereavement, Marriage Preparation, Marriage Convalidation, Theology of the Body, the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service (Lizett Farias), and CYO athletic programs (Jason Alvarez). Mental Health Ministry and Disabilities Ministry training are recent additions.
- Hospital Ministry, Pastoral Care — Lauren Stadelman — (210) 734-1632
- Criminal Justice Ministry — Deacon Adrian Cepeda — (210) 734-0766
- Deaf Ministry — Angela Mauer
- Campus Ministry — Rev. Brian Garcia
- Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service — Lizett Farias
- CYO — Jason Alvarez
Respect Life, Justice, and Advocacy
The Office of Life, Justice, and Peace coordinates the archdiocese's advocacy and pro-life apostolate, including Respect Life Masses, the Respect Life Holy Hour, the annual Campaign on Human Trafficking, Faithful Citizenship training, the State and Local Advocacy program, and Project Rachel post-abortion healing ministry.
- Respect Life Masses and Holy Hour
- Campaign on Human Trafficking
- Faithful Citizenship training
- Project Rachel (post-abortion healing)
- Office of Life, Justice, and Peace — (210) 734-2426
Safe Environment and Victim Assistance
The Office of Victim Assistance & Safe Environment, directed by Steve Martinez, LCSW, LSOTP, coordinates the archdiocese's response to abuse allegations, prevention training, and outreach to survivors in keeping with the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
- Victim Assistance & Safe Environment — Steve Martinez, LCSW, LSOTP — (210) 734-7786
Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio
Since the December 2004 realignment by Pope John Paul II, the Archbishop of San Antonio has served as metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio, with seven suffragan dioceses covering roughly the western, central, southern, and northern parts of Texas. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston was simultaneously raised to a metropolitan see for eastern Texas.
- Suffragan dioceses: Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Laredo, Lubbock, San Angelo
- Until 2004, all Texas dioceses were suffragans of San Antonio
- Galveston-Houston created as a second Texas metropolitan see in December 2004
Archdiocesan Coat of Arms
The insignia of the Archdiocese of San Antonio combines heraldic symbols referencing its Spanish mission heritage and its patron, Saint Anthony of Padua. The archdiocese has used this coat of arms for decades and it appears on official documents, chancery materials, and the archdiocesan website.
- Coat of arms features imagery tied to San Fernando Cathedral and the Spanish mission tradition
- References Saint Anthony of Padua, patron of the see
- Used on official archdiocesan communications
