A Shepherd's Message - August 19, 2025

In this message, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez reflects on his own vocation to the priesthood and the past 100 days of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.

This past June, you marked the 41st anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood. What role does the local Church — parishes, schools, and families — play in fostering a culture of vocations within the Archdiocese?
We are blessed to have the Office of Vocations, directed by Father Richard McNeillie, in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. We are also blessed to have over 60 seminarians in formation for the priesthood. This is a sign that God is working in this local Church, and I believe God is calling more men and women to serve His Church.

When I celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with young people, I remind them, having been now confirmed with the Spirit, to consider a life of service in our Church: for young men to consider the priesthood, and for young women to consider religious life. While the Office of Vocations promotes vocations, everyone has a role to play in vocations, especially in the family.

The family is where the first seeds of vocations are planted. Many saints received their callings at an early age. It is never too early for parents to begin encouraging their children to consider vocations to the priesthood and religious life. All vocations in the Church are uniquely beautiful. Married life is a beautiful and noble vocation and should never be regarded as inferior to religious life, the priesthood, or the diaconate; it should be exalted. Every vocation helps to nurture the others. If we have good husbands, good wives, and good marriages, we will have good priests and sisters. If we have good and holy priests and religious, we will also have good and holy marriages.

Recalling your own vocation story, what is a moment that highlights the beauty and impact of saying “yes” to a religious vocation?
My journey to the priesthood began when I was young. I met our pastor, Father Bernard Gully, when I was in middle school. He was full of life, on fire for the Lord, and joy-filled. As pastor, he immediately drew many people into the life of the parish. Families came together for Bible study, and the youth group grew and became a dynamic blessing. But the best part for me was not that more people were involved; it was his joy. I said to myself, “I want that — I want to be joyful, I want to be happy. How do I get that?”

That started my discernment process. I then went on a retreat, and, while praying, I heard God say to me, “I want you to be my priest.” At first, I thought I was making it up in my head, but then it came back again: “I want you to be my priest.” I then asked God, “If it’s really You, give me a sign,” right after this moment in prayer. The vocations director, who was also attending the retreat, came and sat next to me and asked: “Are you thinking about the priesthood? About being a priest?” I said, “Yes,” and that was the sign God gave me. I went to seminary, and God has blessed me with the gift of the priesthood. He has exceeded all my expectations!

August 15 — the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — marked the 100th day of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. How have you seen the Holy Spirit moving in his papacy?
The Holy Spirit was active in the Church throughout the funeral rites of Pope Francis, the conclave and the election of Pope Leo XIV. The Holy Spirit is truly alive and present in the Church. The Church came together to pray for Pope Francis and commend him to God during the funeral. The process of preparing for the conclave was done in a spirit of prayer, from the movement of the cardinals into the Sistine Chapel to the invocation of the saints. The conclave was brief, but it was truly powerful because of the Spirit, who guides the Church.

Those days, the entire world was paying attention to the Catholic Church because the world seeks, wants and hungers for God. The Church then beautifully celebrated all her rituals and rites with the installation of Pope Leo XIV. He quickly showed himself to be an articulate man of deep prayer who is inspired by his Augustinian tradition and as a missionary. Yes, he’s American, but he is also a man of the Church with a universal view. Our Holy Father is the universal shepherd of the Church, successor of Peter, and the vicar of Christ!

In a sense, Pope Leo has begun a new part of his vocation journey. How do you think his pontificate might help people discerning?
I hope people who are discerning a vocation will see Pope Leo as a man who has been called by God to serve as pope, as an inspiration to give their lives in service to the Church. He is not afraid of expressing his joy and excitement of being with people. I hope this attracts others to consider a vocation to the Church. I pray that many young people will find joy serving others.

An essential question for anyone discerning a vocation is: Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for God and for others? It is important that people recognize that sacrifice is involved in a vocation. Life is not just about me, taking care of myself, my career and earning a lot of money — as though those things will make me happy. They can never make me completely happy because our greatest calling from God is to be united with Him for all eternity.