From being named after Saint Anthony of Padua to being home to five internationally recognized missions, San Antonio has a history rooted in faith.
The Archdiocese of San Antonio serves roughly 1.1 million Catholics across nine counties in South Texas. And, about 70% of San Antonio residents say they are Christian, with the majority — 29% — identifying as Catholic, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center study.
With those numbers, it’s not surprising that San Antonio culture includes customs aligned with the Catholic faith. That seems especially true during Lent — the 40-day penitential period that begins with Ash Wednesday and ends before Easter…