Archdiocese Portland

I urge my fellow Christians to approach these matters not through the lens of personal ideology or political preference, but according to the moral principles handed on by Holy Mother Church and her magisterium. All Christians must reject unjust discrimination on the basis of religion or ethnicity. But that principle must not be misused to silence legitimate criticism of governments.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I invite you to join me for Holy Week at St. Mary’s Cathedral in northwest Portland. I extend a special invitation to those who will be received into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil to be present for these sacred liturgies, as we commemorate the Passion, Death, and glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Sample celebrated Mass last Friday at Jesuit High School in Portland with more than 800 students, family members, and faculty. In his homily on the day’s Gospel (Mark 12:28–34), where Jesus teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself, the Archbishop reminded students that these two commands always go together. He noted that regardless of their backgrounds, the students share a great privilege in receiving a high quality education, and with that privilege comes a responsibility to serve others. Reflecting on Pope Leo’s document Dilexit Te, he emphasized Christ’s call to love the poor and those who suffer. The Archbishop encouraged students to reach out in love to those around them: among their peers, within their families, and in their communities. Charity, he reminded them, is not only about material giving but also about offering genuine care, attention, and compassion. He concluded by exhorting students to live not only according to their own ambitions and goals, but to keep their hearts attentive to those who are suffering around them

Let us join our prayers today with the Holy Father and the Patriarchs of the Holy Land for peace in the Middle East. We pray especially for the innocent who suffer because of war, and we remember in a particular way our brothers and sisters in Christ who have endured in these lands since apostolic times. May the Lord Jesus grant them strength, protection, and the gift of peace.

All Roman Catholics: mark your calendars for June 7, 2026 - the Feast of Corpus Christi. Let’s organize even larger Eucharistic processions in our cities and parishes this year.

Last year, Oregon’s governor proclaimed March 10 “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.” Many remain deeply troubled by what this declaration represents. Rather than celebrating those who carry out infanticide, our society should be defending innocent human life and offering greater care, compassion, and support to women facing vulnerable or difficult circumstances. Mothers who choose to keep their children despite hardship should be honored and celebrated, not those who profit from fear and vulnerability. Abortion ends the life of a child in the womb. Pope Francis once compared those who perform abortion to a “hitman,” underscoring the grave moral reality of the act. No government proclamation can make the killing of a child worthy of praise. As St. John Paul II warned, recognizing a supposed right to abortion in law attributes to human freedom “a perverse and evil significance: that of an absolute power over others and against others.” True freedom is not the power to destroy life, but the courage to protect it.

During the Cathedral’s Centennial Jubilee Year, St. Mary’s Cathedral is offering guided tours every Saturday morning at 10:00 AM. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover the beauty and treasures of this historic church. The tour explores the Cathedral’s art, history, architecture, and religious symbolism, as well as the important role this sacred place has played in the life of the Church and the city of Portland. Tours are led by a member of our knowledgeable staff. They are free of charge and open to everyone—parishioners and non-parishioners, believers and non-believers, neighbors, friends, visitors, and the simply curious. All are welcome. Register today: archdpdx.org/news/cathedral…

By mandate of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence for the Centennial Jubilee Year at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Portland, Oregon (February 14, 2026–February 13, 2027). The faithful who participate in the jubilee celebrations or who make a pilgrimage under the jubilee conditions may receive this special grace. The Holy Father has also granted to the Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample the faculty to impart the Papal Blessing, with the attached plenary indulgence, on a date of his choosing following the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. For the benefit of the faithful, this blessing will be imparted on Sunday, June 7, 2026, after the 2:00 PM Solemn Mass and before the consecration of the entire Archdiocese to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Eucharistic Procession. Read more and share: archdpdx.org/news/vatican-s…

Local evening news anchor Elizabeth Dinh of KOIN 6 News joined Young Catholic Professionals Portland to share her personal witness of faith in Christ. Known to many viewers across Oregon for her work in broadcast journalism, Elizabeth spoke candidly about the ways her faith has deepened over time. Raised a cradle Catholic in Texas and the daughter of Vietnamese immigrant parents who found refuge in the United States, she described her early faith life as largely going through the motions. It was later in adulthood that she began to take her Catholic faith seriously and to explore more deeply the richness of the Church’s teachings and traditions. Her invitation to speak with YCP Portland came after the chapter’s Director of Marketing noticed her on the evening news on Ash Wednesday 2025. Elizabeth admitted she had initially hesitated to appear on air with ashes on her forehead, but ultimately chose to do so as a public witness to her faith. 📷: Dylan Encarnacion

I offer my blessing and prayers to the more than 1,600 catechumens and candidates across our Archdiocese who are preparing to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As you continue your preparation to receive the sacraments, know that you are supported by your pastors and by the entire Catholic community of western Oregon. I ask all the faithful to deepen their prayer this Lenten season and to remember these men and women in a special way as they draw closer to new life in Christ.

This past Saturday, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the dedication of St. Mary’s Cathedral. In his homily, Archbishop Sample reflected on the importance of this sacred place as the spiritual home of all Catholics in western Oregon, and reminded us that while the Cathedral is a magnificent building, it is ultimately the faithful who are the Church - living stones who form the Mystical Body of Christ. He expressed the hope that 100 years from now, a future archbishop will look back with gratitude on the Catholics of today, who witnessed to the Gospel here and helped lay the foundation for generations to come, drawing souls ever more deeply to Christ.

Let us #PrayTogether at popesprayer.va/praywiththepop… @clicktopray_en

The Archdiocese of Portland is experiencing a remarkable surge in Catholic conversions. Under the leadership of Archbishop Alexander King Sample, the number of people entering the Church has risen steadily—from 960 in 2024 to 1,200 in 2025, with a projected 1,600 expected to be received at this year’s Easter Vigil. The growth extends beyond conversions. The archdiocese currently has 32 men in priestly formation Image: Vatican Media

Join us as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Mary’s Cathedral, the mother church of western Oregon. Archbishop Alexander Sample, Bishop Peter Smith, and local priests will concelebrate solemn Mass today at 5:30 PM.

Greetings from St. Peter’s Square in Rome! Please know of my prayers for all the clergy and faithful of western Oregon. This week, I had the joy of spending time with some of our seminarians at the North American College, celebrating Holy Mass with them and encouraging them in their discernment. I was also honored to be received in private audience by our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Be assured that I carry all of you in my heart and remember you in prayer at every Mass. Recorded Feb. 11, 2026 📷(@CatholicNewsSvc / Robert Duncan)

A record-breaking number of over 1,600 people are expected to become Catholic at the Easter Vigil in the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, representing an increase of approximately 33% from last year’s 1,200. Image: Portland Archdiocese

Cuando se trata de los temas migratorios, creo que lo más preocupante en cuanto a la libertad religiosa sería el acceso de la Iglesia para poder llevar los sacramentos y la atención pastoral a algunos de estos centros de detención en los Estados Unidos. Lo siento con mucha fuerza. Tiene que haber una mejor solución para enfrentar el problema migratorio que tenemos en el país. Seamos sinceros: tenemos un sistema que no está funcionando. Pero en cuanto a las personas que ya están aquí, y especialmente cuando pienso en quienes están en mi propia Arquidiócesis, que han estado aquí durante muchos años y han echado raíces, tiene que haber una manera más justa, más humana y mejor de abordar esta situación.

CNS interview: Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Ore., said the U.S. immigration system “isn’t working.” He urged a more humane process and stressed access to sacraments and pastoral care for people held in detention. 🎥 (CNS photo/Robert Duncan)

From January 30 to 31, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample visited St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California, where eight seminarians from the Archdiocese are currently in formation. During his time there, the Archbishop shared meals with the men, celebrated a private Mass with them, and met individually with each seminarian. Read more: archdpdx.org/news/archbisho…