The Rev. Clarence "Larry" Silva will be ordained and installed as fifth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu today before several thousand people as well as a circle of friends and family.

Those friends and family will be lending their support as well as participating in today's ceremonies. Silva chose his brothers and sister and two close friends to surround him during the ceremony. That is in addition to 150 priests from Hawai'i and the Mainland who will wear stoles made especially for the ceremony.

Three thousand to 5,000 people are expected to attend today's ceremonies, which begin at 4:30 p.m. Blaisdell Center Arena will be transformed into a cathedral of sorts with a koa altar and an ambo, or pulpit, from the Holy Family Church. Kahili from St. Patrick Church will be on the stage.

Silva's brother, Len Silva, will stand by his side as the Most Rev. William Levada, the apostolic administrator for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, ordains Silva as the bishop of the Ho-nolulu Diocese. Silva's brothers Francis and Edward and his sister Trudy will bring wine and bread for communion.

"In any liturgical occasion, it is common to try to include family and friends," said Patrick Downes, spokesman for the diocese. "Wherever there are parts to play, it's typical to include others."

"He's a great brother," Len Silva said. "Larry and I have been a lot closer now than when we were children, because we shared different rooms as children. Larry helps hold us all together since my parents passed away."

Silva, who was named bishop of Honolulu in May, had been the vicar general of the Diocese of Oakland. He said that having his family around him today will be a welcome strength.

"I cried all the way through the laying of the hands upon everyone when I was ordained as a priest," Silva said during a recent interview. "When I was ordained as a deacon, I was OK until a close friend came up for communion."

Silva said he hopes to keep calm during the ceremony, particularly when he's handed the three symbols of the bishop: a staff, a miter and a ring. The staff was designed by woodworker Robert Butts of Kahalu'u and is made of koa. The miter, or pointed hat, will be carried by his brother Len during the ceremony.

The ring will be presented by Kevin and Mary Alice Self, two of Silva's friends from California.