The Installation Mass began with three knocks on the great doors of St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Hicks, the former bishop of Joliet, entered his new home church, sprinkled holy water on many of the 2,000 people gathered inside the house of worship and made is way to the altar.
The Apostolic Nuncio, Christophe Cardinal Pierre, speaking on behalf of Pope Leo, offered a heartfelt thank you to Timothy Cardinal Dolan for his many years of service, words that generated a standing ovation from the crowd of bishops, priests, dignitaries and parishioners from throughout the archdiocese.
Hicks accepted the crozier, or shepherd's staff, from his predecessor and took his rightful place in the chair that seats the archbishop of New York.
Cardinal Pierre read the pope's official proclamation appointing the archbishop to his new position, which Hicks accepted.
The readings, songs and homily that followed reflected the archbishop's linguistic mastery of two languages, Spanish and English.
A half-dozen cardinals, hundreds of bishops and priests, along with dozens of politicians and dignitaries attended the mass Friday afternoon.
Other faith leaders attended along with about 2,000 people from parishes, schools and charitable organizations throughout the three boroughs and seven counties that make up the New York Archdiocese.
The new archbishop quickly endeared himself to the faithful by borrowing the lyrics of some popular songs that focus on America's largest city.
"I happen to like New York, I like New York. I love New York," Archbishop Hicks said. "So, start spreading the news. I'm starting today."
He made it clear that he begins this new ministry with a heart of gratitude.
The archbishop expressed his thanks to the pope, Cardinal Dolan, to his family and friends, and to the many public servants who dedicate their lives to the safety and security of New York.
"To those of you from lunch business, labor service, education, arts, first responders... thank you for being here today," Archbishop Hicks said. "It means a lot and I look forward to working with you in support of the common good."
Lastly, the archbishop strongly reiterated what will be the guiding light: his leadership.
"We are a missionary church not a country club. Go out... not a criticism, but an invitation to constantly renew who we are and rediscover why the church exists," Hicks said.
Outside St. Patrick's cathedral on Friday, members of various churches marched to Fifth Avenue, hoping for a glimpse of New York's newest archbishop.
"Heis a representative of the church, and we are part of the church," said Maria Mera, a member of the faithful. "And so we just want to make some presence today and show our appreciation for God who has loved us, who given us in a new way, just the way that we are."
Maria Mera came with her church group from Newark, but Philip Morace was lucky enough to have a ticket to go inside.
"Oh, my goodness. It's amazing to be able to come and see this. This is the first time ever that I've seen a bishop being installed. So that that is something very special," Morace said. "This was a blessing from God. And I'm extremely happy."
Attendee, Lorena Garces, was thrilled to witness the passing of the torch on behalf of her church.
"Timothy is leaving a legacy of being there for us all the time," she said. "So, I'm hoping and hoping and I know that it's going to happen because he was picked by the Holy Spirit. He's going to work with Isaiah. He's going to be there all the time."
But perhaps no one has a sweeter reason to be here than Breck Dunbar.
"He knows my mom from study abroad, and baptized me. So, it's so crazy that he's archbishop of New York now," Dunbar said.
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