The archbishop-elect of New York, Ronald Hicks, delivered his first public homily on the afternoon of February 5 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, during the celebration of vespers prior to his installation at the head of the archdiocese, as reported by the National Catholic Register (NCR). The address took place in a liturgical context and marked the beginning of his episcopal ministry.
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Before the faithful gathered, Hicks referred to the moment the archdiocese is going through and to the responsibility he assumes as the new shepherd, acknowledging the complexity of the mission entrusted to him.
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In his homily—which alternated between English and Spanish—the archbishop-elect explained that he faces this new stage with an attitude of trust and surrender to God, indicating that his way of proceeding will be based on daily prayer, the search for the Father’s will, and shared work with faithful people in the various areas of ecclesial life.
«My roadmap is to trust in God, surrender myself to Him, unite my heart to the Heart of Jesus, and seek the Father’s will every day in prayer, surrounded by good and faithful people and serving alongside them,» Hicks affirmed.
He also indicated that the exercise of the episcopal ministry involves real challenges, but also opportunities to serve and accompany the diocesan community.
We leave below the homily, published in full by the NCR:
Peace and all good.
Peace and all good to all of you! [In English]
Peace and all good to all my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to all people of good will!
Peace and all good.
[In English]
The Church, in its wisdom, grants us an afternoon like this one.
Not to solve all the problems and challenges of our Church and our world. And not even to highlight all the blessings and successes.
We are here this afternoon to pray… together.
We come here as people of faith and good will to ask God to bless me and to bless the entire Archdiocese of New York as we take these next steps… together.
Since the announcement that I will be the eleventh bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, many people have been asking me: «How are you feeling? How are you feeling?»
Many do not expect an answer. They begin to list emotions.
«Are you excited? Nervous? Anxious? Happy? Unsure? At peace? Blessed?»
And when I respond to them, I simply say: «Yes.»
Yes. All those emotions have been passing through me, at different times and in different ways.
This call to guide, teach, and sanctify in the Archdiocese of New York brings great responsibilities and beautiful gifts.
And, like that mix of emotions, leading the Archdiocese involves real complexities, serious challenges, and, at the same time, an abundance of joy, goodness, and blessing.
If you want to have an idea of how I plan to take these next steps, my roadmap is to trust in God, surrender myself to Him, unite my heart to the Heart of Jesus, and seek the Father’s will every day in prayer, surrounded by good and faithful people and serving alongside them.
I want to say this also in Spanish.
If you want to know how I am going to walk in this new stage, I am going to trust in God, put myself in His hands, and unite my heart to the Heart of Jesus to do the Father’s will every day in prayer. I want to walk accompanied by good and faithful people, working together in the mission and ministries of the Church.
[Continues in English]
When I was in high school, I heard a homily that many of you have probably also heard. And the setting of that homily is precisely this place.
Right across the street, outside the main doors of this Cathedral, stands the famous statue of Atlas. It is large, muscular, and strong, and carries the entire world on its back. When one looks at that statue, one can almost feel the effort. The weight of the world is crushing it. It is a powerful image of what life is like when we try to carry everything on our own.
Now, after looking at Atlas, cross Fifth Avenue and enter the Church, the house of God, to get a different perspective.
Enter through the doors of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Notice the beautiful new murals in the narthex, which depict immigrants from the past and present, saints and prominent figures from New York, and first responders. Then, follow a straight line walking down the central nave, passing by all the people gathered in prayer. Proceed toward the altar and, right behind it, you will find a small statue of Jesus. Like Atlas, Christ holds the world. But, unlike Atlas, Jesus does not hold it on His back.
He holds the world in the palm of His hand. And He holds it with ease, with joy, almost effortlessly.
Jesus does not struggle, does not strain, nor is He crushed.
He holds the world, with all its challenges and complexities, with authority, truth, love, and divine mercy.
This juxtaposition offers us a powerful image.
On one side of the street, Atlas shows us what happens when we try to carry everything alone.
On this side, Christ invites us to place our trust in Him.
In this simple contrast, we find the heart of our faith and the call of the Gospel. We are invited to let go of the impossible task of carrying everything ourselves and to allow Christ to be the one who sustains us. It is a message of trust, surrender, and doing God’s will.
In this afternoon’s reading from the New Testament, we are exhorted to follow God’s will, not as a burden, but as a path of trust. One of the most beautiful examples of someone who lived according to God’s will is the Most Holy Virgin Mary. Mary’s «yes» was not just a one-time moment. It was a surrender of her entire life. Even in moments of pain, uncertainty, and seeing her beloved Son suffer, she always remained faithful to God’s will.
And so, as I am installed tomorrow, I humbly ask you to pray for me, and know that I promise to pray for you, not just tonight, but every day of my life.
In the words of St. Teresa of Ávila: «Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. God alone suffices.» [In Spanish]
As I begin this ministry tomorrow, I do not want to be Atlas.
I do not want to pretend that I can carry the weight of this archdiocese on my own shoulders.
Instead, with you… together, let us place the Archdiocese of New York, with all our hopes, all our wounds, and all our future, in the hands of Jesus.
Jesus already holds the world. And in that trust, we know that He will also sustain us.