NEW YORK (RNS) — Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks began his first homily as the leader of about 2.5 million New York Catholics by speaking Spanish, quoting from a hymn almost every Mass-going Latino knows.

“Lord, take my life,” he began in Spanish, imperfectly quoting from “Alma Misionera,” or “Missionary Soul.” He continued, “I’m willing to do whatever you want, no matter what it is, you lead me to serve.”

On Friday (Feb. 6), Cardinal Timothy Dolan formally stepped down after more than 16 years leading the Archdiocese of New York as Hicks became his successor. Hicks most recently served as bishop of Joliet, Illinois, and previously led an orphanage in El Salvador, was a Chicago priest and served as a seminary formation director. At age 58, he presumably will have almost two decades to lead the influential diocese before he is expected to submit his resignation at 75.

At his installation Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Hicks made two things crystal clear: that he seeks to lead a church that will, at its heart, be missionary, and that Latinos will not remain at the peripheries of his ministry.

He did not signal the latter commitment by addressing Latinos directly or their widespread fears of ethnically targeted immigration enforcement during President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. But Spanish was part of the bilingual liturgy and often spoken first — like in the first reading from Galatians by lector Samuel Jimenez Coreas, who once lived in the El Salvador orphanage Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, or “Our Little Siblings,” that Hicks led.

He also quoted Bad Bunny, the singer and rapper whose appearance at Sunday’s Super Bowl has drawn blowback from conservatives who accuse the Puerto Rican of being un-American. The reference to “NUEVAYoL” came alongside lyrics from Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” But the Bad Bunny quote drew some of the most raucous applause.

Maria Galvez, a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Cathedral for 20 years, said tears began to well up in her eyes during Hicks’ homily.

“It’s emotional,” said Galvez, who is originally from El Salvador. “I feel very happy that we have a bishop that speaks Spanish, and I feel that he’s very genuine, that he comes to be here with great happiness.”

Others also seemed touched by Hicks’ fluency in Spanish, as the congregation audibly giggled and cheered when he spoke. 

The theme of a missionary church was the cornerstone of Hicks’ homily. 

“This is a call to be a missionary church, not a country club,” he said. “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, with hope and charity in the name of Jesus Christ.”

The archbishop said, “We exist to follow Jesus, who fed the hungry, healed those ill in body and spirit, rejected hatred and proclaimed love.”

Hicks clarified that his call was not “a criticism,” an acknowledgement that there has been some debate in the Catholic Church, particularly in the U.S., about whether to defend the church by doubling down on orthodoxy in a secularizing world or to go out and engage with that world. But the new New York archbishop made clear that he stands with Pope Francis — and his successor Pope Leo XIV — on that matter by quoting Francis’ famous ad-lib, “todos, todos, todos,” signaling a commitment to include “everyone” in the church. 

The Rev. Chris Argano, pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Washingtonville, New York, said he hopes the new archbishop feels welcome as he takes on the challenges of a new city. 

“It’s more and more difficult to get the message of the Gospel out there,” Argano said. “But in his homily today, he made it very clear that we are a missionary church who evangelize to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the streets.” 

Another nod to Francis was Hicks’ parting request that those in attendance pray for him, echoing the late pope’s repeated request he first made on the balcony after his election to the papacy.

“I am going to be praying for all of you with great, great gratitude,” Hicks added, referring to his prayer in Eucharistic adoration. 

Earlier during the homily, his voice thick with emotion, he thanked Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the U.S., “for reminding me to just be myself”; Cardinal Blase Cupich, his former ordinary in the Archdiocese of Chicago, “for your example and your mentorship”; Dolan, his predecessor, “for your gracious support of me, both personally and publicly”; those from Chicagoland “for being disciples who make disciples”; and his parents, “for always showing me what unconditional love looks like.”

Dolan turned 76 the day of the installation Mass, and Pierre led attendees in singing him “Happy Birthday” before beginning the formal installation.

“Cardinal Timothy Dolan has served this archdiocese with generosity, conviction and personal zeal,” said Pierre, who is also expected to retire because he just turned 80, the age at which cardinals can no longer partake in a conclave. “His voice has been a strong and joyful witness to the Gospel, both here in New York and far beyond it.”

Dolan, a towering figure in the U.S. church, is known by Catholics throughout the country for his media appearances. Though he has criticized anti-immigrant policies, he was appointed to Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission and was perceived to be close with some Republican politicians. After Francis’ death, Trump lobbied for Dolan to become pope.

Sister Mary Josita, of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, said the “transfer of leadership” is bittersweet. She said she felt strongly supported by Dolan throughout her work in the Bronx. 

“On several occasions, he checked in on us during COVID, calling us personally,” the sister said. “He even came to celebrate Mass with us.” Still, she said she is hopeful about Hicks and appreciated his repeated references to his love of music. “The fact that he always has a song in his head brings joy to my heart,” she said.