Father Oscar Azarcon Solis made American Catholic history Feb. 10 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels by becoming the first Filipino American to be ordained a bishop.

Some 3,600 people attended the spirited, tri-lingual (English, Spanish and Tagalog) Mass. Cardinal Roger Mahony, as principal ordaining bishop, presided, with more than 40 bishops and some 400 priests, from the U.S. and the Philippines concelebrating.

Among the government officials present were Alberto Rosario, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S.; Marciano Paynor, consul general of the Philippine consulate in the U.S.; and Tomas Joson III, governor of the Province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

"With awe and gratitude, I praise and thank God for his countless gifts and blessings," Bishop Solis, 50, told the congregation following his ordination.

The auxiliary bishop will help coordinate outreach pastoral efforts for all ethnic groups in the archdiocese, where Mass is celebrated each week in 42 languages. He said his new responsibilities were "a distinct privilege to serve our archdiocese which is alive and vibrant with multi-ethnic communities."

He also invoked the intercession of the Virgin Mary, whom he said had been his source of strength during his priesthood.

Cardinal Mahony encouraged Bishop Solis to embrace his ministry and "begin something new, creative and expansive."

During the festive liturgy a 100-person choir, directed by John Flaherty, performed solemn traditional chants as well as soulful songs featuring a bluesy saxophone, a tribute to Bishop Solis' previous Louisiana ministry. Sweet incense burned during most of the liturgy.

The new bishop chose not wear any distinctive Filipino vestments, saying he wanted to convey that he was a bishop for all the people. The liturgy, however, was influenced by Filipino culture --- in song, in prayer, and with a procession of liturgical dancers carrying votive candles and wearing bright green, pink, blue, and yellow Filipino dress.

During the ordination rite --- to acknowledge his total dependence upon God --- the new bishop prostrated himself on the floor before the altar, while the choir solemnly sang the litany of the saints and the community of the faithful prayed for God's grace to pour out onto their new bishop.

Following the laying on of hands by the bishops on Bishop Solis, the newly ordained prelate used his hands to bless all those gathered as he walked around the Cathedral and repeatedly made the sign of the cross to sustained applause and cheering worshipers.

The ceremony was the first ordination of a bishop at the new cathedral since its Sept. 2002 dedication. Filipinos described the day as "overwhelming," "fantastic," "amazing."

"We are proud of our brother," said Celia Tapia, his eldest sister. In the face of large new responsibilities, Tapia said her brother's devotion to Mary would serve him well: "She's the one guiding him."

The bishop's three sisters described their brother as approachable, warm and generous. Anggie Pacubas said her brother calls her every week. The sisters said their brother enjoys basketball, tennis and golf as well as singing and playing the guitar and the piano.

Bishop Solis' brother, a priest in Hong Kong, was also present as were nieces and nephews. The Solis' parents are deceased.

Father Peter Balili of Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Cucamonga said the bishop's ordination was a source of inspiration for the Filipino people. "Our spirituality is recognized," he said, noting that Filipinos are devoted to community, family and to Mary.

"It feels like we're giving a gift to the archdiocese and to the whole church," added Ana Gacasan of Blessed Junipero Serra Church in Camarillo and a member of the archdiocesan Filipino Council of Servant Leaders.

Ernie da Jose, who traveled from Riverside for the ceremony, said the bishop's ordination would encourage more Filipinos to get involved in shaping the church. Currently, Filipinos number some 400,000 in an archdiocese of 5 million.

"Bishop Solis will be a source of unity for Filipinos," said Good Shepherd Sister Mary Christina Sevilla, director of the archdiocesan Office of Filipino Ministry. "He can bring our people together and then we can be a bridge with other ethnic communities."

Eleanora Rebstock, traveled from of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Golden Meadow, La, where Bishop Solis had served as pastor. "This bishop is going to do great things. He loves life as a priest," said Rebstock.

Born in San Jose, Philippines, on Oct. 13, 1953, Bishop Solis studied at Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City and the University of St. Thomas Seminary in Manila. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, Philippines, on April 28, 1979 and came to the United States in 1984 where he served in Newark, N.J., before transferring to Louisiana. His most recent appointment was as pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, La.

Bishop Solis now serves as one of five auxiliary bishops for Los Angeles. A sixth bishop, to replace retired San Pedro Region Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Sartoris, remains to be named.