500 years of the first diocese in Mexico: Tlaxcala renews its evangelizing mission

In 2025 five centuries of the first diocese are fulfilled in what is today Mexico. To commemorate this important anniversary, the Diocese of Tlaxcala seeks not only to honor its valuable historical legacy, but also revitalize the evangelizing commitment of its communities.

Fr. Ranulfo Rojas Bretón, Diocesan spokesman, explained in an interview with ACI Press that this commemoration “represents the look, as Pope John Paul II said, to the past with joy and remember that it all began in the arrival of the Gospel message to these lands.”

He added that, for Catholics and “for what Mexico is today, turning that look is to turn a sign of gratitude, tell God thank you for choosing us to reach your message to these lands.”

The first formal diocese on the continent

According to him Tlaxcala diocese websitethis was the first episcopal headquarters established in the continental territory of New Spain. Although Pope Leo X instituted the Bishopric of Yucatan in 1519, he never consolidated due to population scarcity.

It was not until 1527 when Dominican friar Julián Garcés arrived in Tlaxcala, took possession of the Franciscan monastery and formally established the episcopal headquarters in the church of the Assumption.

Although the headquarters were subsequently transferred to Puebla, its historical roots remain linked to Tlaxcala, considered cradle of the first evangelization. From there they left foundational missions to other states and regions of the continent, the first schools were established, and the first martyrs of America emerged: the Children Cristóbal, Antonio and Juan, today Patrons of Catechesis and Mexican Children.

For these reasons and more, Fr. Rojas Breton said that the faithful are recognized as heirs of “a greatness” and, at the same time, “with a commitment that all that legacy has to strengthen us to stay with an evangelizing vision of departure.”

Jubilee year activities

During this jubilee year various religious and pastoral activities will be carried out to remember the 500 years of the diocese, the martyrdom of the holy children Tlaxcaltecas and the arrival of Fray Julián Garcés.

One of the most important celebrations will be the great Eucharist of October 12, in which “missionary shipment will be reinforced.” That day the parish masses will be suspended so that the entire community can participate in the Jubilee Eucharist.

The next day, on October 13, the official dedication of the Cathedral Church will be made, located in the former Franciscan convent, recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO. Although it has historically worked as a cathedral, it had never been formally dedicated before. The ceremony will be chaired by the Apostolic Nuncio in Mexico.

Fruits of the Jubilee Year

Among the fruits expected of this jubilee, Fr. Rojas mentioned the intention to “strengthen evangelizing and missionary commitment, again to resume that church force at exit.”

He recalled that in 1591 about 400 Tlaxcaltecas families undertook a missionary work that gave rise to communities in the north of the country, in Central and South America, and even in the Philippines. Today, the jubilee seeks to renew “that same missionary impulse in exit.”

From the social field, the priest indicated that it will seek to strengthen the identity of the Tlaxcaltecas and “begin to sow in adult people, in young people and in children the conception of the greatness of the history of Tlaxcala and begin to see that in Tlaxcala it originated everything that today is Mexico.”

Finally, Fr. Rojas Bretón stressed that Tlaxcala has a special value for its historical and religious transcendence. In that sense, he affirmed that this jubilee year should serve to resume the “commitment out”, and called for a “positive look and a commitment to continue evangelizing.”