Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles issues pastoral letter

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles issued a pastoral letter titled “The Wonder of America” to prepare Catholics for the 500th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2031. In the 20,000-word document, the archbishop describes the apparitions as the true origin story for the United States and the nations of the Americas. He suggests the upcoming anniversary serves as a time for spiritual renewal and a new missionary awakening in the Americas.

The letter, dated September 8, 2026, reflects on the archbishop's personal devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the history of the Americas, and the Church's mission to bring Christ to the world. The title is taken from the 18th-century Mexican painter Don Miguel Cabrera, who described the Guadalupe tilma as the “Maravilla Americana,” or “The Wonder of America.”

The letter was released on October 22, the feast day of St. John Paul II. The late pope was the first pontiff to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, visiting the site four times between 1979 and 2002.