JUNE 9, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
GALVESTON CHURCH TOURS
texas catholic herald 1
TURNING THE PAGE A senior salute to the Class of 2026 as they begin a new chapter ▪ SEE PAGES 16 - 17
Five sacred sites spotlight faith, history ▪ SEE PAGE 7
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
JUNE 9, 2026
SPIRITUALITY
From pitch to the pew
VOL. 63, NO. 3
‘CONFORM THEM MORE FULLY TO CHRIST’
Meet the saints of World Cup nations visiting Houston BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON (CNS) — With Houston set to host FIFA World Cup matches from June 14 through July 4, Catholics can find spiritual connections through saints tied to competing nations, including St. Boniface of Germany, St. Anthony of Padua of Portugal, St. Willibrord of the Netherlands and St. Bridget of Sweden. From missionaries who spread the Gospel across Europe to martyrs who gave their lives for the faith, these holy men and women reflect the global reach of the Church, offering a reminder that behind the world’s biggest See SAINTS, page 4
MINISTRY
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Priests gather in fraternity, formation and fatherhood at biennial convocation GALVESTON — The biennial priest convocation of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston gathered nearly 200 priests from across the Archdiocese for several days of prayer, discussion and fraternity in late May. Each day unfolded through a rhythm of Liturgies and guided sessions, complemented by group table discussions and informal conversations. Within this structure, priests found space not only for ongoing formation but also for genuine encounter, stepping away from the demands of ministry to focus on their shared identity and mission. Hosted by the Ongoing Formation of Priests Committee, much of the discussion centered on spiritual fatherhood and the
Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez anoints a confirmation candidate at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land on May 28 during a celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. At 14 Masses on six days at 13 parishes, Archbishop Vásquez, Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, and Archbishop Emeritus J. Michael Miller, CSB, confirmed nearly 2,000 Catholics from across the Archdiocese during Pentecost.
As World Cup nears, Pope’s June prayer intention sees sport as a field of peace and encounter HOUSTON (OSV News) — With the FIFA World Cup opening this month, Pope Leo XIV has dedicated his June prayer intention to the power of sport to build bridges between cultures and nations, releasing a video prayer calling on athletes, coaches and fans alike to embrace the field as a space of encounter rather than division. The Vatican released the monthly “Pray with the Pope” video on June 2, in which the pope prayed that “sport may always be a school of fraternity, not of empty rivalry, a space of encounter, not exclusion, a path of peace, not violence.” The pope’s official prayer intention for the month reads, PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD “For the values of sport: Let us pray that sport may be an A 160-foot-long mural by José “Meenr” Arredondo is seen just five blocks from instrument of peace, encounter and dialogue between cultures Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and School on Navigation Boulevard
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026
in Houston’s East End neighborhood ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which
See INTENTION, page 5 takes place partly in Houston this summer.
See CONVOCATION, page 9
A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE † 2
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COLUMNISTS † 13 & 18
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ESPAÑOL † 23
| AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE † 26