The Diocese of Austin installed its new bishop Monday afternoon

Joe S. Vásquez is the fifth bishop in the diocese's history.

The Installation Mass took place at the St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock.

A thunderous applause broke out in the beginning of the ceremony as Bishop Vasquez entered.

He followed a long procession of about 450 priests and bishops from dioceses across Texas. The last two bishops of the Austin diocese -- Archbishop Gregory Aymond and Bishop John McCarthy - were among them.

"When a bishop is chosen by the Holy Father to be bishop, one of the first thing he does before his ordination is to choose an Episcopal motto that defines his ministry as bishop. I have taken my motto, Sigeme, a Spanish phrase which can be translated follow me," Vasquez said.

Vásquez served in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese since he was ordained bishop in 2002. Before that, he served as pastor in San Angelo and Fort Stockton.

Vásquez, 52, is the first Mexican-American to lead Austin's Diocese. He is taking the position of Archbishop Gregory Aymond, who is now the Archbishop of New Orleans.

Austin's Diocese serves 500,000 Catholics in 25 counties, with 127 parishes.