Father Oscar Cantu literally bounced on his toes and could not hold back his smile as Reverend Monsignor Terence Nolan finished reading the letter from Pope Benedict XVI calling Cantu to be ordained as a bishop for the "growing see of San Antonio." As more than 1,000 people inside St. Mark's the Evangelist Catholic Church stood to applaud, cheers of "Viva Cantu," erupted from the deacons standing along the back pews.
As the new auxiliary bishop of San Antonio, Cantu, at 41, is the youngest bishop in the United States. Nearly two dozen bishops from across the country came to welcome him to the work and his new position with the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
"This is our holy calling, my brother," said Archbishop Jose Gomez, during his homily. "Are we worthy of it? Hardly. How could anyone be? And yet still he calls us."
Cantu is leaving Holy Name Church in Houston. He grew up in the parish, played basketball on the neighborhood streets and attended its school.
He returned as its pastor to help run the school and minister to the same families he grew up with.
Following the ancient custom of the church, Gomez stood and asked Cantu questions about his resolve to fulfill his responsibilities of his new position.
Halfway through reading his questioning, Gomez lost his place and Cantu leaned forward perplexed and said, "I do" and then stepped to the side to sit down.
"We have several more," Gomez quipped. "Not so fast."
With that, the tension was lifted, the crowed laughed and Cantu smiled and continued to answer the questions.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Houston laid his hands on top of Cantu's head along with the 23 other bishops, including one of Cantu's childhood heroes, Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Flores.
Then Cantu was given his miter (the pointy hat), ring, and pastoral hat and given a seat.
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