Tonight, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Archbishop José H. Gomez led an outdoor prayer service at Mission San Gabriel Arcángel to commemorate its founding and 250^th anniversary. More than 40 priests and the auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles accompanied Archbishop Gomez at the event preceding the opening of the “Forward in Mission” Jubilee Year on Sept. 11. The livestream of the prayer service is available on the LA Catholics Facebook page at https://fb.watch/7Vg_O6keao/.

“Two hundred and fifty years ago, on this night, the nativity of the Blessed Virgin, this mission was established by St. Junípero Serra and his Franciscan brothers, together with the noble Tongva natives, who are the first peoples of this land,” said Archbishop Gomez during the homily (full homily text as it was prepared is below). “Tonight, we are doing what the prophet tells us in the first reading: ‘Look to the rock from which you were hewn, to the quarry from which you were taken.’”

The exterior walls of the Mission were illuminated with projections of Jesus Christ and paintings depicting the Mission era with music from the mission era performed by a choir and orchestra. Nearly 400 people were present including Chief Anthony Morales of the Gabrielino San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians. All were given a candle to light, representing the spread of the light of Christian faith that has strengthened communities and helped them endure challenging times, such as the current Covid-19 pandemic.

“So, my brothers and sisters, we stand tonight on the rock of those who came before us. We thank God tonight for those first missionaries and natives. For their suffering and sacrifices. For their love. For bringing us to Jesus,” said Archbishop Gomez during the homily. “A Jubilee Year is much more than an anniversary. It is a new beginning. Almighty God will be pouring out many graces upon his Church in this holy year.” 

Following the prayer service, 22 designated pilgrimage sites, including parishes and mission churches across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, will host 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration from 6 p.m. on September 9 through 10 a.m. on September 11 to pray in anticipation of the opening of the “Forward in Mission” Jubilee Year. 

Archbishop Gomez will solemnly inaugurate the Jubilee with Mass and the opening of the Holy Door at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on September 11 at 11 a.m. 

On Sunday, September 12, the 22 pilgrimage sites will also open their Holy Doors, through which pilgrims can pass throughout the Jubilee Year to obtain a special blessing. 

In addition, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will host 250 Years of Mission, a year-long exhibition of photos and artifacts showcasing the rich legacy of Catholic faith in Los Angeles over the decades. The “Forward in Mission” Jubilee Year will run from September 11, 2021 through September 10, 2022. 

For more information, visit forwardinmission.com and https://angelusnews.com/tag/san-gabriel-mission/ and https://angelusnews.com/local/la-catholics/san-gabriel-jubilee-year-to-begin-with-prayer-service-40-hours-of-adoration/.

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Homily — 250th Anniversary Prayer Service[i]

Most Reverend José H. Gomez

Archbishop of Los Angeles

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel

September 8, 2021

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

What a beautiful celebration! The birthday of Our Lady and the birthday of this historic Mission San Gabriel Arcángel.

In God’s plan of love, Mary is the one who brings us Jesus Christ — in every time and in every place. This is the beautiful role that God has given Our Lady in salvation history.

Tonight, as we remember her birth, we recall her destiny. We recall that in the fullness of time, the Archangel Gabriel was sent to bring Mary a message from God.

What Gabriel told Mary changed her life. And what Mary said in response to the angel, changed the world: “Let it be done to me according to your word.”[ii]

And the Word of God became flesh in Mary’s womb. 

This is why we are here tonight, my dear brothers and sisters.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, on this night, the nativity of the Blessed Virgin, this mission was established by St. Junípero Serra and his Franciscan brothers, together with the noble Tongva natives, who are the first peoples of this land.

Tonight we are doing what the prophet tells us in the first reading: “Look to the rock from which you were hewn, to the quarry from which you were taken.”

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel is our “rock.”

In these past two hundred and fifty years, a great family of God has been built upon this rock — the Catholic Church of Los Angeles, the Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels. Upon this rock, God made a new beginning for his kingdom in America.

The founders of this mission remembered Mary’s role in salvation history, and they remembered the angel that God sent to her. And they entrusted their work to them.

Mary is the original missionary. She is the first to go out into the world and speak to someone else about the joy of meeting her Lord and Savior.

In the Scriptures, we remember how Mary went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth. We remember this moment of joy in the Rosary — the beautiful surprise of Elizabeth’s encounter with Christ.

As we heard tonight in the Gospel, Jesus gives his Church, and each one of us in his Church, only one mission: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

This your mission and mine, dear brothers and sisters. This is what we are made for, this is why we are here on this earth — to know Jesus, to love Jesus, and to proclaim Jesus as the only name under heaven by which we are saved.

Sometimes I wonder what it felt like for those missionaries — leaving behind their homes and families, knowing they would never be coming back. What would cause someone to set out for a place they have never seen, to serve a people they do not even know?

There is a beautiful letter in which St. Junípero talks about leaving Spain for the New World, and how he will never see his parents again. He writes:

“I am at a loss for words, yet overwhelmed by emotion as I depart. … If we do not see one another again in this life, our Lord God will deem us worthy of being together forever in eternal glory. … Above all else, our first obligation is to do the will of God and fulfill it. I have left them because of the love of God.”[iii]

Love is the reason St. Junípero Serra came to California. And love is the reason for Mission San Gabriel Arcángel. Love for Jesus Christ. Love for every person whom Jesus Christ came to live and die for.

So, my brothers and sisters, we stand tonight on the rock of those who came before us. We thank God tonight for those first missionaries and natives. For their suffering and sacrifices. For their love. For bringing us to Jesus.

Now, Jesus is calling all of us, to build on the foundation that was laid here two hundred and fifty years ago. He is calling us to keeping building God’s kingdom in Los Angeles. In America. And throughout this continent.

A Jubilee Year is much more than an anniversary. It is a new beginning. Almighty God will be pouring out many graces upon his Church in this holy year.

Let’s make this a year when we live for Jesus! With joy in our hearts. Doing everything we can, in everything we do, to share his love with others!

And may Our Blessed Mother Mary, the Queen of the Angels, help us to walk in the footsteps of her Son, and to love him and proclaim him. In our homes, in our parishes and ministries, in our schools, and in our society.

San Gabriel Arcángel, pray for us!

St. Junípero Serra, pray for us!