Archbishop-elect Ronald Hicks delivered his first homily at St. Patrick's Cathedral on February 5, 2026. Hicks stated his personal roadmap involves trusting God, surrendering to Him, uniting his heart to Jesus, and seeking the Father's will daily through prayer. The homily was delivered during a Vespers Mass the evening before his official installation. The text provided is an edited version of the full homily for clarity and length.
29 days ago
Archbishop-elect Ronald Hicks delivered his first homily during Vespers Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral on February 5, 2026, the eve of his installation.1
He described a mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, joy—while outlining his leadership "roadmap": trust in God, surrender to Jesus, daily prayer, and collaboration with the faithful.1
Using the nearby Atlas statue as a metaphor, Hicks contrasted human strain with Christ's effortless holding of the world in his palm, urging reliance on divine mercy.1
He invoked Mary's lifelong "yes" to God's will and St. Teresa of Ávila's words, committing to place the archdiocese's hopes and wounds into Jesus' hands.1
On February 6, 2026, Hicks was installed as the 11th Archbishop of New York at St. Patrick's Cathedral, drawing over 2,000 attendees including bishops, faith leaders, and civic figures.2 3
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio, read Pope Leo XIV's appointment letter, praising outgoing Cardinal Timothy Dolan and noting his birthday, which prompted a choir rendition of "Happy Birthday."3
Hicks knocked on the cathedral doors with a hammer, was welcomed by Msgr. Enrique Salvo and Cardinal Dolan, kissed a crucifix, and blessed the congregation before taking the cathedra.3
The bilingual liturgy featured embraces, applause, standing ovations, and multicultural elements like Neocatechumenal Way youth singing outside.3
In his installation homily, Hicks expressed deep thanks, starting with God and extending to Pope Leo XIV via Cardinal Pierre, Cardinals Blase Cupich and Timothy Dolan, fellow bishops, priests, family, and New York's diverse communities.2
He affirmed obedience to the Pope and highlighted Dolan's 17 years of "magnanimous leadership," singing "ad multos annos" on his birthday.2 3
Hicks credited his Chicago roots and Joliet diocese, carrying their discipleship in his heart.2
Hicks quoted songs like "New York, New York" to convey enthusiasm for his new home, declaring love for Jesus, the Church, Eucharist, and people as friends.2
Central to both homilies was the Gospel's Great Commission: form missionary disciples, not passive members of a "country club."1 2 3
He echoed Pope Leo XIV's Vatican II teachings, calling for a Church that evangelizes peripheries, upholds dignity, defends life from conception to natural death, aids the poor, protects children, and builds unity.2 3
Hicks envisions a "missionary church" that catechizes, evangelizes, and acts—caring for creation, healing Church wounds, and proclaiming Christ fearlessly across cultures.2
"The world always has and always will need a missionary Church," he stated, with "the mission before us" and God always present.2 3
Music infused his messages, from Spanish mission songs to New York anthems, signaling a joyful, inclusive start marked by multicultural witness.2 4
The events blended solemn tradition with warmth, laughter, and pastoral affection, reflecting Hicks' personality.3
He builds on Dolan's legacy while promising to walk with New York's faithful in three boroughs and seven counties, serving as a good shepherd.2 3
Bilingual delivery in English and Spanish underscored outreach to diverse populations.1 2
Missionary Church: essential for evangelizing a wounded, multicultural world
In a world scarred by rapid social transformations, persistent inequalities, conflicts, and cultural diversity, the Catholic Church's missionary identity is not optional but essential for effective evangelization. Drawing from Vatican II and papal teachings, the Church is called to interpret the "signs of the times," engage in dialogue, and proclaim Christ as the source of healing and unity, transforming wounded societies through witness, dialogue, and bold proclamation. This analysis explores the wounded state of the modern world, the challenges of multiculturalism, the Church's missionary mandate, and practical paths forward.
The contemporary world, as described in Gaudium et Spes, is marked by profound changes driven by human intelligence yet rebounding with unintended consequences. Profound and rapid transformations affect every aspect of life, leading to a "true cultural and social transformation" with repercussions on religious life. Man extends his power but struggles to subject it to his welfare; he probes his mind yet feels unsure; society uncovers laws but hesitates on direction. Amid abundance, hunger and poverty torment millions, illiteracy persists, and new forms of slavery emerge despite heightened awareness of freedom. Ideological conflicts tear humanity apart, heightening war's peril, while secular influences hinder spiritual advancement, leaving people "buffeted between hope and anxiety."
Peace itself is elusive, not merely the absence of war but "an enterprise of justice" rooted in divine order, demanding vigilance against sin-wounded wills and fostering brotherhood through love. Without personal well-being and shared spiritual riches, true peace—symbolizing Christ's peace—remains unattainable. These wounds demand the Church's response, as she scrutinizes signs of the times in Gospel light to address perennial questions about life here and hereafter.
Multiculturalism amplifies these wounds through diverse ideologies and religions, where even key concepts shift meanings across systems. Yet, the Church views this not as barrier but opportunity for dialogue. Commemorating Nostra Aetate, Pope John Paul II emphasized mutual understanding between Christians and Jews—and by extension, non-Christians—as rooted in shared spiritual patrimony. The Church receives Old Testament revelation through the Jewish people, drawing from the "good olive tree" into which Gentiles are grafted (Rom 11:17-24). This calls for exact knowledge of others' beliefs, practices, and spirituality to dispel prejudices and uncover Christianity's Jewish roots.
In a secular context evoking "absence of God," Jews and Christians alike affirm: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God" (Deut 6:4). The Church's missionary outreach thus includes "pre-evangelization" via art, science, philosophy, and human sentiments, preparing hearts for the Gospel. Synodality enhances this, making mission inherently dialogical and cooperative across cultures.
The entire Church is missionary by nature, with evangelization as the People of God's basic duty. Founded by Christ, she advances with humanity as "leaven and soul" for society renewed in Him, casting divine life's light through healing impacts on dignity and community. Every local church, even of recent converts, is both evangelized and evangelizing, forming communities as signs of God's presence. This plantatio Ecclesiae continues, requiring radical conversion to share faith through witness in word and deed.
Popes echo this urgency. Paul VI stressed revealing Christ via complex activities, from explicit preaching to cultural means. Religious embody this through consecrated witness of poverty, purity, and obedience, touching even non-Christians. John Paul II called laity to apostolate as integral to vocation, engaging temporal affairs like leaven. Benedict XVI highlighted parishes as hubs for lay-priest collaboration on world problems. Pope Leo XIV, reflecting on his missionary experience, urges parishes worldwide to support missions via prayer and aid, committing to bring "Christ Jesus our Hope" to earth's ends.
Evangelization demands all: hierarchy, religious, laity. Missionaries foster faith's spread in non-Christian areas, coordinating with locals. Laypeople sanctify the world from within, promoting dignity, justice, and solidarity amid complexity. Parishes gather diversities into unity, solving salvation issues collaboratively.
Synodality unites this: mission for all requires all's commitment, with Pontifical Mission Societies aiding universal solidarity. Pope Leo XIV entrusts African evangelization to Mary, Star of Evangelization. Augustine's legacy inspires listening to the Spirit, poor, and margins for peacemaking.
The missionary Church heals the wounded, multicultural world by proclaiming Christ amid crises, fostering dialogue, and building communities. As Gaudium et Spes urges, she interprets times Gospel-wise; as popes insist, all baptized share this joyfully. Renew interiorly, cooperate universally, and witness boldly—thus advancing God's kingdom until Christ's return.