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San Antonio Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú is congratulated by the congregation during his episcopal ordination June 2 at St. Mark the Evangelist Church in San Antonio. Applauding in the background are, left, San Antonio Archbishop José H. Gomez, and right, Auxiliary Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. (Photo from Ruben Alfaro of Today's Catholic)
(Article provided by Today's Catholic)
On June 2, 2008, Bishop Cantú was ordained auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of San Antonio at St. Mark the Evangelist Church.
Archbishop Gomez was the principal consecrator, joined by co-consecrating bishops, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza and Auxiliary Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of the archdiocese was also present at the liturgy.
More than 1,100 people attended the ordination. Bishop Cantú’s mother, Maria de Jesus Cantú, his seven brothers and sisters, and much of the bishop’s extended family and friends made the trip from Houston and other places around the country to share in the special day.
The celebration began with a solemn procession that included more than two dozen archbishops and bishops from California, Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana and dioceses across Texas, as well as close to 200 priests and deacons from San Antonio and Houston.
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San Antonio Archbishop José H. Gomez anoints the head of Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú with sacred chrism at his episcopal ordination June 2 at St. Mark the Evangelist Church in San Antonio. Looking on are Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, left, and Auxiliary Bishop Joe Vasquez of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, right, both co-consecrating bishops. (Photo from Ruben Alfaro of Today's Catholic)
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Msgr. Terence Nolan, chancellor of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, read the letter from Pope Benedict XVI which announces the appointment to the office of bishop by the Holy See. Once the letter was read, all those in attendance sang their approval with the words, "Deo gratias! Deo gratias! Thanks be to God in the most high.” That was followed by a sustained standing ovation as well as some whoops and cheers from the large contingent of parishioners from Holy Name Church in Houston, the Cantú family’s home parish.
In his homily, Archbishop Gomez called the episcopal ordination a moment of great significance in the life and history of the Lord’s church.
"But it is also something deeply person,” the archbishop explained. "I’m sure my brother bishops here tonight share my experience – that our ordination to the episcopacy was a definitive moment in our lives. I am touched by moving memories of my ordination.”
Archbishop Gomez said that Pope Benedict reminded the bishops during his U.S. visit that their mission is to promote the encounter with the living God. "This becomes your mission now too my brother,” the archbishop told Bishop Cantú. "It is first given to the apostles. Through my hands, the Holy Spirit will anoint you preacher, apostle, and teacher.”
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"Take courage, my brother!” proclaimed Archbishop Gomez. "You must answer our Lord’s call with Christian valor. You are not being given a spirit of fear or timidity. You will receive a spirit of power and love. The power and strength of God. This is the flame, the gift of God, you must keep. And what is this power, my brother? It is the power of the cross.”
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In closing, the archbishop welcomed Bishop Cantú by saying he walked in the footsteps of some very holy bishops – men like St. Rafael Guizar y Valencia and Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores, the first Mexican-American archbishop in the United States. "May we be worthy of such holy predecessors!” he concluded.
Following his homily, Archbishop Gomez proclaimed the prayer of consecration. Then the archbishop and the two co-consecrating bishops placed their hands on Bishop Cantú, followed by Cardinal DiNardo and all of the attending bishops and archbishops. Next the new bishop’s head was anointed with holy chrism.
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Archbishop José G. Gomez of San Antonio holds the Book of the Gospels over the head of Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú during his Mass of Episcopal ordination on June 2 at St. Mark the Evangelist Church in San Antonio. More than two dozen bishops from Texas and surrounding states attended the liturgy of the 41-year-old prelate, the youngest bishop in the United States. (Photo from Ruben Alfaro of Today's Catholic.)
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Archbishop Gomez then presented Bishop Cantú with the Book of the Gospels and other symbols of his office. With the words, "Receive this ring, the seal of fidelity: adorned with undefiled faith, preserve umblemished the bride of God, the holy church.” Bishop Cantú then received his episcopal ring, followed by his miter, and the crosier.
Near the conclusion of the celebration, Bishop Cantú addressed the congregation.
"The history of the Archdiocese of San Antonio is one that involves a strong Catholic presence in this geographical region, and the fruits of the church’s missions are still evident today,” said the auxiliary bishop.
In 1836, he explained, most Texas Catholics were Hispanic, while a smaller but significant number were Irish. "These demographics seem not to have changed much in San Antonio,” Bishop Cantu said to laughter from attendees. "Now as I come to San Antonio to serve as auxiliary bishop, I am deeply humbled that my personal history has somewhat mirrored the history of the church in Texas.”
Bishop Cantú then thanked his family for teaching him the value of love, truth, sacrifice and forgiveness, lessons and habits he said have served him well in the priesthood.
"I ask for you prayers,” he told the congregation, "That I may carry out my ministry in truth and compassions, and that I might continue to model my life on the example of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.”
Bishop Cantú, who is 41 years old, is the youngest bishop in the United States and the ninth youngest bishop in the world. He was born and raised in Houston, TX, attended Catholic school in Houston and was ordained a priest for the then Diocese of Galveston‐Houston in May of 1994. Since his ordination, he served in a number of parishes in the Houston metropolitan area. Prior to his ordination to Bishop, he was the pastor of Holy Name Parish in Houston, which was his childhood parish. He has also taught at the University of St. Thomas School of Theology and the University of St. Thomas at St. Mary’s Seminary (Catholic News Agency).
For more information, visit the Archdiocese of San Antonio web site.
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