Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Ore., issued a comprehensive pastoral letter on Oct. 1, 2026, calling for a renewed focus on evangelization and priestly sanctity across the archdiocese. The 37-page document, titled “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” urges clergy and laity to deepen their commitment to Catholic teaching amid a cultural landscape that Sample describes as increasingly secular.

A Watershed Moment for Western Oregon

The release of the letter coincided with the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a devotion Sample has long encouraged among archdiocesan priests. In the document, Sample characterized the current era as a “watershed moment” for the Church in western Oregon. He noted that despite Oregon’s reputation as a highly secular state, there is a growing number of people joining the Catholic faith.

Sample expressed particular encouragement regarding the influx of young adults entering the Church. He described this growth as “quite stunning,” suggesting that the archdiocese is experiencing a shift in religious engagement even as broader cultural trends move away from institutional religion.

Focus on Priestly Formation

A central theme of the letter is the necessity of priestly holiness. Sample argued that any effort at mission renewal would be ineffective if it did not begin with the clergy. Citing Trappist abbot Jean-Baptiste Chautard, he emphasized the direct link between the sanctity of priests and the spiritual fervor of the faithful.

Sample outlined three specific areas for clergy renewal: personal holiness in ministry, fraternity and communion among priests, and complete unity in mission. He invited priests to cultivate a rigorous interior life through daily Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament, regular spiritual direction, annual retreats, and faithful observance of the Liturgy of the Hours.

The archbishop stressed that daily celebration of the Eucharist is “essential” for priests and urged them to adhere strictly to the archdiocese’s liturgical handbook. He also highlighted the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation, noting that “the best confessors are first the best penitents.”

Healing and Unity

Acknowledging past difficulties within the clergy, Sample recognized that some priests have been “deeply wounded” in their relationships with one another or with former archbishops. He called for a spirit of reconciliation and peace, urging priests to embrace deeper fraternity despite differences, time constraints, and historical hurts.

Sample also directed the lay faithful to support the clergy through prayer, assistance, encouragement, and forgiveness. He exhorted priests to cultivate devotion to Mary and St. Thérèse, whom he referred to as his “‘big sister’ in the faith.”

Defending Catholic Education

The pastoral letter also addresses the state of Catholic education. Sample stated that Catholic schools strive to form hearts and minds to know, love, and serve God. However, he identified significant threats to this mission, including social media, artificial intelligence, and what he termed “pervasive philosophical ideologies.”

Sample warned that secularism, pragmatism, utilitarianism, conflict theory, and critical theory have begun to influence Catholic schools. He argued that these ideologies must be challenged and replaced with a Christian anthropology. The goal of Catholic education, he wrote, is to bring young people into an encounter with Jesus Christ through spiritual, religious, intellectual, and human formation.

The pastoral letter is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese on the archdiocese’s website. Sample’s episcopal motto, “Vultum Christi Contemplari” (“To Contemplate the Face of Christ”), frames his call for a return to contemplative prayer and active mission.