NEW YORK (OSV News) -- The world "always has and always will need a missionary Church," said Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks in his first public homily as the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of New York.
"The mission is before us," he said. "The world is waiting with hope. And behold, God is with us always."
Moments after his Feb. 6 installation Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral -- a liturgy that filled "America's parish church" with at least some 2,000 congregants -- Archbishop Hicks reaffirmed the words he spoke at the time of his December appointment by Pope Leo XIV: The Church is meant to go forth from the pews to the peripheries, bringing the Gospel of Christ's saving love to a wounded and warring world.
"This is a call to be a missionary Church, not a country club," said Archbishop Hicks. "A club exists to serve its members. The Church exists, on the other hand, to go out and serve all people, on fire with faith, hope, and charity in the name of Jesus Christ.
"This is not a criticism; it's simply an invitation to constantly renew who we are and to rediscover why the Church exists," he stressed.
The bilingual installation liturgy was one of both splendor and warmth, blending the solemnity of the Church's sacred tradition of episcopal succession with pastoral closeness and affection.
Embraces, laughter, prayerful quiet, applause and more than one standing ovation marked key moments of the sacred celebration.
Even as he processed outside the cathedral ahead of his formal entrance, Archbishop Hicks was greeted by dozens of youth and young adults from the Neocatechumenal Way -- a Vatican-approved Catholic formation program that originated in Spain -- who joyfully sang hymns in his honor from behind a crowd barricade across the street from the heavily guarded cathedral.
Knocking on the doors of the cathedral with a hammer, Archbishop Hicks was admitted by St. Patrick's rector Msgr. Enrique Salvo and then greeted by his predecessor, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, who welcomed the new shepherd on behalf of the Archdiocese of New York's faithful.
Also greeting Archbishop Hicks were several dozen fellow prelates, including Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago -- whom the archbishop, a Chicago native ordained a priest of that archdiocese -- thanked in his homily for more than 11 years of "example and mentorship."
Archdiocesan vicar general Msgr. Joseph LaMorte presented Archbishop Hicks with a crucifix, which the archbishop kissed before being presented with holy water by Msgr. Salvo and blessing the congregation.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and bishops from throughout the nation, including several from the Eastern Catholic churches, awaited Archbishop Hicks as well, preceding him up the aisle to the sanctuary.
Archbishop Hicks pressed his hand to his heart as the entrance hymn, "All Creatures of Our God and King," concluded -- the first of several such gestures he made throughout the liturgy, which he celebrated with joyful intensity.
Following the entrance procession to the sanctuary, Cardinal Dolan greeted the congregation from the cathedra, the episcopal throne, before Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., prepared to read the apostolic letter in which Pope Leo formally appointed Archbishop Hicks as the shepherd of New York.
Cardinal Pierre first commended Cardinal Dolan for his 17 years of service to the Archdiocese of New York, prompting applause and a standing ovation.
"And by the way, did you know it is his birthday?" added Cardinal Pierre, with the choir promptly singing a brief version of "Happy Birthday" to Cardinal Dolan, who turned 76. A year ago, after his 75th birthday, he submitted his resignation to the pope as required by canon law. On Dec. 18, Pope Leo accepted his resignation and named Archbishop Hicks, then bishop of Joliet, Illinois, as his successor.
Applause and a standing ovation marked Archbishop Hicks' formal acceptance of Pope Leo's appointment, with the new shepherd of New York displaying the document to those present. He and Cardinal Dolan embraced, and Archbishop Hicks then seated himself at the cathedra, greeting a number of faith leaders -- among them, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and representatives of the Jewish and Muslim communities.
Throughout the Mass, hymns and readings flowed easily from English to Spanish to Latin, and from chant to modern liturgical compositions, reflecting both the Church's ancient heritage and its message to the current moment.
