San Antonio, Texas is in Top 10 Catholic Cities, by Gretchen R. Crowe in Our Sunday Visitor OSV Newsweekly

San Antonio

According to the Texas State Historical Association, the Catholic Church has been part of Texas history since 1528. The Catholic history and culture is so prevalent that the San Antonio Missions are considered a National Historical Park, which preserves four out of the five Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio. These locations were established to spread the Catholic Faith to Native Americans in early American history.

The most popular, Mission San Antonio, was established in 1718 by Father Antonio Olivares and was later converted to the “Alamo,” a military fort that was sieged in 1836 (“Remember the Alamo!”). Visitors can take in the entire experience by driving, biking or walking down a 10-mile Mission Trail.

One of the most striking structures in San Antonio — and certainly the most historic — is the San Fernando Cathedral. Founded in 1731, it’s the “oldest, continuously functioning religious community in the state of Texas,” according to its website. It’s also the oldest standing church building in the state.

Also not to be missed is the grandiose Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, with marble altar, stained-glass windows and hand-carved Stations of the Cross. In true St. Thérèse style, roses, too, are in abundance.

San Antonio is also home to the Oblate School of Theology, run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who arrived in Texas in 1849. The school forms both future priests and the laity for ministry in the Church.

One thing not to miss: the statue of St. Anthony of Padua on the city’s popular River Walk. The inscription reads: “San Antonio — for whom the city and the river are named — gift of Portugal.” 

San Antonio facts 

Founded: 1718 

Population: 1.36 million 

Did you know?: San Antonio was given its name on June 13, 1691 — the feast of St. Anthony of Padua — when a Spanish expedition, which included Father Damian Massanet, came upon the river and named it Rio San Antonio. 

Mission San Jose is one of four San Antonio missions

maintained by the National Park Service.