About Blessed Sacrament · San Diego, California
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in San Diego's College Area neighborhood, located at 4540 El Cerrito Drive near the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and El Cerrito Drive. The parish is part of the Diocese of San Diego and is currently ministered by the Missionaries of the Divine Word (SVD), a religious congregation founded by St. Arnold Janssen. According to the parish's official site, its mission is to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through the Sacraments, the Word of God, and the celebration of the Eucharist, while embracing the unique gifts of its ethnic and cultural traditions. The parish offers Mass in English and Spanish, serves a diverse multigenerational community, and is closely tied to neighboring San Diego State University (SDSU).
- Established
- 1938
- Patron
- Blessed Sacrament
- Rector
- Rev. Danh Van Pham, SVD (current pastor as of the site snapshot; Fr. Vinh Daniel Nguyen, SVD was announced as new pastor effective July 1, 2026)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament is a welcoming, multigenerational Catholic parish in the College Area of San Diego that celebrates the Eucharist nine times a week, including a Spanish-language Sunday Mass that reflects the cultural diversity of its community. Active ministries include a Music Ministry (open to families), a Ministry of Welcome (ushers, greeters, hospitality), and the 'You & Me' outreach ministry, which partners with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego on food distribution, refugee pantry support, CalFresh/Covered California registration, and emergency preparedness education. As an SVD-missionary parish, it carries the worldwide missionary charism of St. Arnold Janssen into the heart of San Diego, near SDSU.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration (per third-party schedule listing)
About Blessed Sacrament Parish
The Mission of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Community is to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ as members are nurtured through the Sacraments, the Word of God, and the Celebration of the Eucharist. The parish recognizes and embraces the unique gifts of its ethnic traditions and cultural heritage, seeking to be the Living Church in its community by serving one another and reaching out with concern and generosity to the needs of others. Blessed Sacrament is fortunate to be ministered by the Missionaries of the Divine Word (SVD).
- Parish ministered by the Missionaries of the Divine Word (SVD)
- Located at 4540 El Cerrito Drive, San Diego, CA 92115
- Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Parish History
The parish dates to 1938, while the current church building was dedicated in 1961. It grew with the College Area neighborhood of San Diego, situated near San Diego State University. The parish was historically served by the Trinitarians of Mary; following a 2022 Apostolic See decree approved by Pope Francis, that religious institute was suppressed, and pastoral care was transitioned to the Missionaries of the Divine Word.
- Founded 1938 (per GCatholic)
- Current church building dedicated 1961
- Formerly served by the Trinitarians of Mary
- Now ministered by the SVD Missionaries of the Divine Word
- New pastor Fr. Vinh Daniel Nguyen, SVD announced effective July 1, 2026
Clergy & Staff
Blessed Sacrament is staffed by SVD priests and two permanent deacons, supported by a faith formation coordinator and an administrative team.
- Pastor: Rev. Danh Van Pham, SVD (incoming pastor Fr. Vinh Daniel Nguyen, SVD, July 1, 2026)
- In Residence: Fr. Raymundus Wea, SVD
- Deacon Tony Albers
- Deacon Herb Kelsey
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Paul Lopez
- Administrative Assistant: Jeanine Yin
- Office Assistant: Maria Tello
- Bookkeeper: Susan Orelli
Faith Formation & Sacraments
The parish's Faith Formation program prepares children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, coordinated by Paul Lopez. Penance is described on the parish site as 'an experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy,' through which the faithful receive God's forgiveness and Jesus' healing grace through the priest's absolution.
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Paul Lopez
- Sacrament of Penance / Reconciliation offered Saturday afternoons
- Reconciliation and Eucharist preparation for children
Music Ministry
Music and song are described by the parish as a rich part of its faith tradition. The Music Ministry serves by uniting the congregation in song and bringing beauty and solemnity to the celebration, choosing music that is appropriate liturgically, artistically, and pastorally. The ministry welcomes musicians and singers at all weekend Masses and special feasts, and families are encouraged to serve together. The parish also welcomes sound engineers with experience running sound systems.
- Choir and musicians at all weekend Masses and special feasts
- Open to families of all ages
- Welcomes sound engineers
- Donations help fund hymnals, music sheets, sound equipment, and instrument maintenance
Ministry of Welcome
Also known as Ushers, Greeters, or Hospitality, the Ministry of Welcome is about being the face of Christ to all who enter the church. The ministry assists and accommodates those who come to worship, maintaining an atmosphere of calm and welcome, handling collections responsibly, and distributing worship aids. The parish notes that 'a kind word, a gentle smile, even body language can do much to put folks at ease,' and invites families to serve together.
- Roles: ushers, greeters, hospitality ministers
- Suitable for all ages; families encouraged to serve together
- Needed at all weekend Masses and special feasts
You & Me Outreach
The 'You & Me' ministry operates in partnership with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego. Its work spans food distribution at multiple sites, an Emergency Food Distribution Network across 22 parishes for those in dire need (rooted in the COVID-19 response), the Mission Gorge Food Pantry for refugees and asylees, CalFresh and Covered California registration, disaster preparedness outreach and education, and nutrition education for seniors — including collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation on the 'Walk with Ease' curriculum.
- Mass food distribution at various sites
- Emergency Food Distribution Network (22 parishes)
- Mission Gorge Food Pantry for refugees and asylees
- CalFresh and Covered California registration
- Emergency Preparedness outreach
- Senior nutrition education and 'Walk with Ease' with the Arthritis Foundation
- Partner: Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego (ccdsd.org)
Other Ministries & Groups
Beyond Music, Welcome, and Outreach, the parish's calendar lists additional groups that meet on a recurring basis.
- Men's Ministry
- Women's Ministry
- Project Eden
Giving & Bequests
The parish welcomes online giving with recurring options, mail-in gifts, and stock donations (handled through the Diocese Office for Stewardship and its broker at Merrill Lynch — donors should indicate gifts are for Blessed Sacrament Parish). The parish also accepts bequests through wills or trusts, inviting parishioners to leave a lasting legacy; bequest inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
- Online giving with recurring donations
- Mail-in donations
- Stock donations via Diocese Office for Stewardship / Merrill Lynch
- Bequests through wills or trusts
Visit & Contact
Blessed Sacrament sits at 4540 El Cerrito Drive on the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and El Cerrito Drive in the College Area, near SDSU. The parish office can be reached at (619) 582-5722 or [email protected]. From I-8, take the College Avenue exit south, turn right onto El Cajon Blvd., then right onto El Cerrito Drive.
- Address: 4540 El Cerrito Drive, San Diego, CA 92115
- Phone: (619) 582-5722
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://blessedsacrament-sandiego.org/