Son of poor migrant workers, Patrick Flores was ordained a Catholic priest in 1956. For 14 years, he served as a parish priest and then as auxiliary to the Archbishop of San Antonio. In May 1970, he was consecrated Bishop, becoming the first Mexican-American elevated to the hierarchy of the United States Catholic Church. Nine years later, in October 1979, he was made Archbishop of San Antonio. Using his influence to work for worthwhile causes, Archbishop Flores devoted his time to the Civil Rights of Hispanics, farm workers, immigrants and the youth. He helped found the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund and established the Mexican American Cultural Center. The recipient of many honors he was one of four Bishops elected to represent the United States at the Synod of Bishops in Rome.