Friday, Ronald Hicks will be installed as the next archbishop of New York.
Hicks is taking over for Timothy Cardinal Dolan, who is retiring.
Archbishop-designate Hicks will soon lead more than 2 million Catholics across New York.
On Thursday, Hicks said Vespers, or evening prayers, were a time for reflection and gratitude as he prepares to take on his new role.
He is stepping into one of the most prominent leadership positions in the Catholic Church, succeeding Dolan, who has led the archdiocese for more than a decade.
The Mass of Installation will take place at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The ceremony is expected to begin with Hicks arriving at the cathedral and knocking on its doors.
Cardinal Dolan will greet him, and Hicks will be presented with a crucifix. A letter from the pope will be read, and Hicks will then be led to the archbishop’s chair.
Hicks is coming from the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, a much smaller diocese, to lead one of the most influential archdioceses in the country, based in New York City.
Ahead of the installation, Hicks spoke about how he is feeling as he steps into this new chapter.
“So many people have been asking me, ‘so, how do you feel?’ ‘How ya feeling?’ And you know what the curious thing is – many people don’t even allow me to give an answer,” Hicks said. “‘Do you feel happy? Do you feel unsure? Do you feel peaceful? Do you feel blessed?’ When I finally answer them, I simply say ‘yes.'”
Bishop Hicks also spoke in Spanish during his news conference on Thursday and pointed out his years of service in Central America.
That time in El Salvador cultivated a keen understanding of Latino culture and will prove helpful in his ministry not just to immigrants but to everyone.
“One of my focuses will be evangelization, how do we be actually be disciples, who do we make disciples,” Hicks said. “People who have been a part of the church but maybe not so much…How do we re-engage.”
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