MIDTOWN MANHATTAN — Archbishop Ronald Hicks spent the evening before his installation presiding over a vespers service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, leading the congregation in prayer, and offering what he called his “roadmap” of how he intends to shepherd New York’s 2.8 million Catholics. 

“This is how I am going to try to live, shepherd and minister,” he said in his homily. “I am going to try daily to trust God, to surrender to him, to unite my heart to the heart of Jesus, and seek the will of the Father every day in prayer, surrounded by and ministering with good and faithful people.” 

Part of the Liturgy of the Hours, vespers are celebrated at dusk to sanctify the evening. It is a time-honored ritual that includes singing psalms, scripture readings, and praying the Magnificat to thank God for the day’s blessings. 

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Archbishop Hicks smiled at members of the congregation as he processed up the aisle of the cathedral at the start of the service. 

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who will become archbishop emeritus of New York, and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, took part in the opening procession and were seated on the altar for the service, and Archbishop Hicks’ nephew, Grant Hicks, performed a first reading. 

Archbishop Hicks urged the faithful to remember the reason they were gathered in the cathedral that evening. 

“The Church, in her wisdom, gives us an evening like this not to solve all the issues and challenges of our world and of our Church and to not even highlight all of our blessings and successes either,” he said. “We are here this evening to pray and to pray together.” 

Archbishop Hicks spoke candidly about his emotions as he looked forward to his Feb. 6 installation at the cathedral. 

He said that since it was announced on Dec. 18 that Pope Leo XIV had appointed him archbishop, many people had approached him and asked his feelings — with many assuming he felt excited, nervous, happy, peaceful, and blessed.  

“When I finally answer them, I say, ‘Yes. All of those feelings have been washing over me at different times and in different ways,’ ” he explained. 

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For Archbishop Hicks, the vespers also provided an opportunity to ask the faithful for prayers as he prepares to take on his new role.  

“And so, as I am installed tomorrow in this setting, I ask all of you to pray for me. And please know that I will pray for you — not just tonight, but all the days of my life,” he said. 

Looking forward to his new responsibilities as the shepherd of one of the largest archdioceses in the U.S., Archbishop Hicks said he is aware of the immense task ahead. 

“This call to lead, teach, and sanctify in the Archdiocese of New York begins and brings with it great responsibility and also beautiful gifts,” he said, adding that while it brings real complexities and serious challenges, there is also “an abundance of joy, goodness, and blessings.” 

Archbishop Hicks blessed the faithful as he made his way back up the aisle at the end of the service.