No tongues of fire were seen, nor a loud wind heard, but each was able to worship in her or his own tongue and give thanks for the six men willing to give their lives to God and the people of God.

The miracle of Pentecost, a day early, was definitely alive at the Cathedral on May 30 as Fathers Francis Aguilar, Christopher Fagan, Julio Gonzalez, Richard Sunwoo, Joseph Vu and Budi Wardhana were ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Each person present could say in the end, "We hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God" (Acts 2).

After processing into the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the six candidates for ordination sat among the people assembled, many who were clothed in colors and dress of their native lands. Following rites of election, a calling forth from the people, the six men made promises of fidelity before Cardinal Roger Mahony. They lay prostrate around the altar during the litany of supplication, received the laying on of hands, and were vested as priests. The cardinal prayed the prayer of ordination, anointed their hands, and they were seated among their brother priests in the sanctuary.

From varied backgrounds professionally and culturally, each of these six men is fluent in more than one language. They have served as interns and as transitional deacons at parishes throughout the Archdiocese during their formation process, in addition to their studies at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo.

During his homily Cardinal Mahony referred to the first reading from Isaiah who was asked by God, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" and Isaiah responded, "Here I am, Lord. Send me." That openness to serve is what each of the newly ordained was asked to assume, noted the cardinal who reminded the six men that, as "earthen vessels," they have two responsibilities in the person of Jesus: to offer the Eucharist and to forgive sins.

As the cardinal walked into the body of the cathedral, among the people, he said, "We have learned that there is something extremely valuable in the life of the church and in the life of the priest that previously we may not have focused upon as we should, and that is the faith of our people. The faith of our people sustains us, sustains the whole body of Christ, and in a special way, brothers, it sustains you. The faith of the people sustains me in my ministry."

Cardinal Mahony noted that some critics maintained the Church would not survive after the recent scandals. "The faith of our people has been incredible," he said. "When we say the Creed each Sunday we say, 'We believe in one holy catholic church.' We don't mean the building. We don't mean just the ministers. We mean God's people."

Turning to the assembly he said, "The faith of all of you is what makes the Church holy. Your fidelity, your faith is what has carried our church in this country forward during this difficult time."

Addressing the new priests he said, "Remember them day after day. You will be asked shortly the formal question: 'Are you willing to pray for the people entrusted into your care?' You will respond with vigor, 'Yes, I will.' But keep in mind that the faith and prayer of the people will also sustain you as it has sustained me, and all of us during this time. I am grateful to you."

Family and friends were understandably proud of the newly-ordained.

"It's wonderful," said Dorothy Fagan, mother of Father Christopher Fagan. "Christopher has had a very successful career as an attorney where he was very good and helped a lot of people. Now he says, 'I just want to help people and this is how I want to help.' And he's good at it. He has the blessing of our whole family, including his three brothers, his sister, myself. My husband passed away almost 17 years ago but I know he is looking down on us and is probably saying, 'You are doing what you probably wanted to do for some time.'"

Msgr. David O'Connell, pastor of St. Michael Church, Los Angeles, where Father Francis Aguilar served the last six months as a transitional deacon, said a busload of people had come to support him.

"And I hope this inspires more to the priesthood," said Msgr. O'Connell. "We are proud of him. It's a great day for the Archdiocese and for the parish."