At the first Mass celebrated in the San Gabriel Mission - or in any of the other 20 California Mission churches - that seamlessly inculcated Native American songs, symbols and rituals throughout the sacred liturgy, Carol Ramirez (Dolphin Heart Woman) received the sacrament of confirmation on June 24.

Traditional songs were sung, blessings were given and prayers were said by some 400-plus congregants, many of whom wore the leather native dress of their Four Nations (Tongva, Acjachemen, Chumash and Tataviam) ancestors, whose lands encompassed the present-day Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

It was these ancestors, in fact, who built the first church missions in Southern California as well as planted and harvested the crops that sustained them.

"My sisters and my brothers, we have blessed this sacred space, and we have been blessed as we begin our celebration this afternoon," San Gabriel Region Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala said after an entrance procession, prayer to the sacred directions, blessings of the space and finally the blessing of the bishop himself.

Then, using Native American references, he added, "Grandfather Creator, fulfill your promise. Send your Holy Spirit to make us witnesses before the world. So the good news proclaimed by our elder brother Christ, who lives through you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever."

In his homily, the bishop called the late afternoon liturgy a wonderful and historical celebration.

"I think it's so appropriate to listen to that first reading because it talks about the Creator giving land to the people, and how important that land is," he said. "And I think it's so wonderful that Carol can return to her ancestral land to be confirmed here at the San Gabriel Mission. I think this is a gift and a historic day for all of us. It's a wonderful, wonderful celebration Mass."

At 4:44 p.m., Bishop Zavala laid his hands on Carol Ramirez, a member of the Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, to confirm her - a woman who was born, raised and still lives within her ancestral lands in the City of San Gabriel. The congregation broke into loud clapping and cheering, while a conch-shell, clappers and rattles sounded. Her confirmation name was Guadalupe Kateri.

The Gloria became the "Honor Song to the Creator," the offertory song the "Planting Stick Song," the communion song the "California Bear Healing Song" and the meditation song, the "Barbareno Chumash Song," which asks for the spirit of healing to do away with pain and suffering.

The Our Father was proclaimed in the Tongva language.

"Tayiy Honuuk," an ancient ancestor's melody, served as the dismissal song.

And history had been made.

Father Schweitzer, Native American chaplain and pastor of Holy Angels Church of the Deaf in Vernon, thought the liturgy was both powerful and beautiful.

"I know that for some people this would just be another confirmation," he told The Tidings. "But for the Natives of California, it was an exceptional high point for them. I'm not sure when was the last time - if ever - they've been able to sing their songs, to celebrate in their own language within the mission church walls.

Ramirez added that the historic liturgy was a way of honoring her ancestors who -- although they built the mission churches -- were not allowed to incorporate their Native American ways into the Catholic Mass.

"Confirmation meant many things to me on that day," said Ramirez. "I received the Holy Spirit within Catholic Church protocol as well as honoring Native American protocol.

"Both can see the harmony of these two worlds coming together to honor the Creator," she continued. "My heart is full in knowing that all these people can celebrate with goodness, knowing the past, but knowing that in the future we all need to be together."

Ramirez also serves on the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission and as a council member with the archdiocesan ministry of Native American Concerns.

The confirmation Mass, she added, could serve as a beginning: "Hopefully, this starts a reconciliation process."

-- Ellie Hidalgo contributed to this report.