Newly-installed Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez promises to serve 'with all my heart' (PHOTOS)

April 9, 2025

Newly-installed Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez smiles as he blesses the congregation during his installation Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston March 25, 2025, the feast of the Annunciation. Formerly the head of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, he is the ninth bishop and third archbishop to head the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.  (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)

HOUSTON — The new chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston pledged March 25 to serve his new flock “with all my heart.”

“Together, we will move forward, following our Savior, who leads, protects and watches over this local Church,” Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez shared in his heartfelt homily, partly delivered in Spanish, at his installation Mass on the feast of the Annunciation at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.

PHOTOS: Archbishop Vásquez formally installed as Galveston-Houston's third archbishop

“Mary has accompanied me in my vocation, and I trust that she will be with me throughout these years as I continue to lead you,” he said. “I also entrust myself to St. Joseph to help me shepherd you. Pray for me that, despite my unworthiness, I may be faithful to the great trust that has been handed on to me.”

Perhaps inspired by Pope Francis, who asked for prayers on the balcony of St. Peter's after his election as pope in 2013, Archbishop Vásquez said: “Pray that I may become like Jesus Christ, the good shepherd and great high priest, the teacher and servant of all, and so become more and more a sign of Christ’s loving presence among you.”

Thousands of the faithful from Texas and beyond gathered for the Mass. The congregation included three cardinals, several archbishops, numerous bishops, hundreds of priests and other clergy, men and women religious, and laity.

Under the depiction of the Holy Spirit in the co-cathedral’s soaring dome, Christophe Cardinal Pierre, the apostolic nuncio, witnessed Daniel Cardinal DiNardo hand over the crozier to Archbishop Vásquez, who, seated upon his cathedra, assumed his role as Galveston-Houston’s ninth bishop and third archbishop.

Archbishop Vásquez, 67, succeeded Cardinal DiNardo, 75, who headed the Texas Archdiocese from 2006 until the pope accepted his resignation Jan. 20 and named then-Bishop Vásquez of Austin as his successor.

The Mass, which was livestreamed by thousands more across the Archdiocese and beyond — began with a literal bang. Preceding a solemn procession and an ancient tradition as Archbishop Vásquez knocked three times on the co-cathedral’s doors with a wooden gavel.

The procession into the co-cathedral — which lasted about nearly 27 minutes — was led by members of the Knights of Columbus, Knights of St. Peter Claver, Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta, hundreds of deacons, more than 200 priests and at least 45 bishops from across the nation.

After receiving the papal bull, the pontifical document from Pope Francis that officially declares Archbishop Vásquez as Galveston-Houston’s new ordinary, Archbishop Vásquez processed through portions of the co-cathedral displaying the parchment to several different groups, including his own family who were beaming as he walked passed.

Then after taking his seat on the cathedra for the first time, Archbishop Vásquez then greeted a variety of representatives from the Archdiocese, including ministry leaders, women religious, seminarians, deacons and priests.

Of Mexican American descent, Archbishop Vásquez is one of 26 active Hispanic Catholic bishops in the U.S. His episcopal motto is “Sigueme,” Spanish for “Follow me,” in reference to Jesus’ words to Peter in the Gospel of St. John. 

In a letter to the faithful, Archbishop Vásquez said he was “profoundly grateful” to Pope Francis for appointing him as the next archbishop of Galveston-Houston, reaffirming his “fidelity” to the pontiff.
He also expressed deep appreciation to his predecessors, Cardinal DiNardo and the late Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, who ordained him as a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo in 1984 and as an auxiliary bishop for Galveston-Houston in 2001. “He was truly a spiritual father to me and continues to be a source of inspiration,” he said.

He called Cardinal DiNardo “a true shepherd” who has provided “this local Church with wise leadership and excellent service. ... I hold him in the highest esteem and will depend on his counsel to help me serve the people of this vibrant and growing Church.”

“I look forward to working with the many dedicated priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful in this Archdiocese,” he continued. “You are a Church rich in diversity, goodness and generosity, and I look forward to meeting with you and listening to you as together we grow in our faith and love for Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

He thanked the people of the Austin Diocese “for the prayers, love and support they have shown in allowing me to serve there for nearly 15 years. I will always have them in my heart.” Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Austin’s fifth bishop on Jan. 26, 2010.

Archbishop Vásquez remarked that he is “humbled” to serve the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and entrusted himself “to the tender embrace of Our Lady of Guadalupe and to the compassionate protection of St. Joseph,” a sentiment he echoed in his homily.

He said he would serve “the needs of this local Church to the best of my ability.” “Your love and your prayers are greatly needed and appreciated,” he added.