Archbishop Ronald Hicks declared “We are an Easter people” to a capacity St. Patrick’s Cathedral Easter Sunday Mass on Sunday, April 5.

In his first Easter Sunday homily, a completely different sermon than he gave the night before at the Easter Vigil Mass, Archbishop Hicks began by asking, “What are you looking forward to?”

“It feels like the world, with what’s going on, with the darkness and violence and challenges and issues and pain and suffering, is stuck. And that’s not only the world. Our own lives also are filled with their own issues and challenges. But I am looking forward to Easter, to something to celebrate with hope and joy,” the Archbishop said. “It’s like a world permanently stuck in Good Friday.”

However, Catholics always have something to look forward to.

“We are an Easter people. And what do we, as Catholics who follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as disciples, look forward to together? We look forward to eternal life,” he said.

Archbishop Hicks also gave the faithful a date to put on the calendar.

“In 2033, we will be celebrating that 2,000th anniversary. This is going to be a jubilee celebrated across the world, celebrating hope and joy in the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said.

As is now Archbishop Hicks’ custom, he began the Mass with the Sign of the Cross in Spanish, along with celebrating part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in Spanish.

Concelebrating with Archbishop Hicks were Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Espaillat and Father Enrique Salvo, rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

At the conclusion of Mass, Archbishop Hicks thanked all of the cathedral staff and volunteers, lectors, musicians, and others who helped organize the Holy Week and Easter Masses.

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