A Shepherd's Message - Jan. 13, 2026

In this message, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez shares the homily he delivered during the Closing Jubilee Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Dec. 28, 2025. 

In the Gospel for Dec. 28, we hear the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy Him. Joseph rose and took the child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt.” And after years in Egypt, “When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’ He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.” 

Though no recorded words of St. Joseph are found in the Gospels, Joseph responds to God’s will. In today’s Gospel, Joseph does what the angel tells him. Joseph is connected with the expression “the Child and His mother.” Joseph, the child, Jesus, and Mary, the mother, are a family. The Son of God chose to be born into a family. This was part of God’s plan to save us. He joined Himself to the human family. God entrusts His Son to Mary and Joseph with the responsibility to raise, protect and care for Jesus.  

Brothers and sisters, there is only one perfect family — the Holy Family. My family was not perfect, but I believe I have been blessed with a good family. There are many good families, and we need to be thankful for them and pray for more. The Holy Family is perfect, but this does not mean that it was free from difficulties. 

Life for Jesus, Mary and Joseph was not easy. From the very beginning of Jesus’ life, He is threatened by the powers of this world. The Holy Family is on the run and flees to another country. Like many refugees today, they are forced to escape and seek protection elsewhere. Jesus’ family faces extreme danger!  

The Holy Family is not immune to problems, challenges or uncertainties of family life. Jesus, Mary and Joseph do not avoid the pain that families suffer. Our families also face many problems: the loss of jobs, disease, complex relationships. Jesus purposely unites Himself with families who struggle and find life burdensome. God enters our lives in these crises and is present in these moments. Joseph is a true example of an excellent parent who cares for Jesus and Mary. He is ready to make decisions that require sacrifice, courage and fidelity. He does what is God’s will to ensure the safety of the family. It is also important to note that Joseph and Mary act together and form a bond in order to protect Jesus. Every family can be a place of holiness. No matter the problems, God can be found in the family. I pray you find holiness in your families. 

As we conclude the Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope, I would like to briefly reflect on what I have witnessed since I came to the Archdiocese, and it gives me hope. These are a few of the tangible ways God continues to fill us with countless graces. 

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston continues to welcome new members into the Catholic Church. During the Easter season, we welcomed over 2,000 new Catholics. God is moving in the hearts of the people. In our Church, they find a home and family, but more importantly, they find Christ alive through the Sacraments and God’s holy Word. 

Another sign that gives me hope was the summer Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC). I celebrated Mass with more than 2,300 participants. This shows that our youth are hungering for God. During AYC, I joined Cardinal DiNardo and other priests to hear confessions. Our youth come to the Sacrament seeking God’s mercy. They love Christ and want to live their faith well.  

We also have many young adult groups in the Archdiocese, which continue to grow. We have a diverse young adult group that speaks English, Spanish and Vietnamese. This summer, I met with over 800 young adults and spent time answering questions and having a dialogue with them. They are on fire for their Catholic faith. 

I am proud of our Catholic Charities, San José Clinic and Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which continue to care for our underserved in our Archdiocese. They provide care for the sick, feed the hungry, and support families and migrants. They do this because they find Christ in the poor. 

Another sign of hope was the ordination of three new priests for the Archdiocese. The Holy Spirit is moving in the lives of our seminarians. Presently, we are blessed with 60 men who are studying for the priesthood! They desire to give their lives to Christ and serve His Church. We need them to serve us. 

This fall, I also celebrated Mass with 135 married couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and celebrated Mass with 140 couples celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. These couples have experienced the joys and sorrows of married life, and they continue to witness to the love of God. 

On April 21, Easter Monday, our beloved Pope Francis died at the age of 88. The day before, on Easter Sunday, he went through the crowds riding in the pope mobile at St. Peter’s Square, blessing people one last time. He inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Hope a year ago on Christmas Eve. The Holy Father wanted us to experience Christ the Risen Lord, who, even in our difficulties, problems and suffering, never abandons us. Jesus Christ never leaves us alone, and He is our hope. 

On May 8, Robert Cardinal Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV and became the 267th Successor of Peter. He is the first American pope. The Holy Spirit has chosen Pope Leo as our Church’s universal shepherd. He continues to be a sign of hope in our world for our Church. On Jan. 6, our Holy Father concluded the Jubilee Year. 

We cannot create hope by our own human efforts; we can only receive hope as a gift from God. Keep in mind that hope is a theological virtue infused in us by God. Hope does not deny the problems or pain we experience in life, in our Church or in our world. 

I would like to conclude by quoting Pope Leo, who recently spoke these words. “The Jubilee is drawing to a close… but the hope that this year has given us does not end: we will remain pilgrims of hope. … Jesus Christ, with His incarnation, passion, death and resurrection, has given us a solid foundation for this hope. The restless heart will not be disappointed if it enters into the dynamism of the love for which it was created. The destination is certain, life has triumphed and in Christ it will continue to triumph in every death of daily life.” 

Dear friends, the same Christ who was born, suffered, died and rose from the dead lives forever! From this altar, He now gives Himself to us to go forth as pilgrims filled with hope that does not disappoint.