Continuing an archdiocesan tradition, Archbishop Ronald Hicks celebrated Mass for nearly 2,000 graduating high school seniors at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday, April 20.
Organized by the Office of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of New York, the annual Mass brought together students from across the archdiocese to mark the culmination of their high school years and to send them forth grounded in faith.
Students were accompanied by school leaders and teachers, while a student choir led the congregation in hymns. Seniors from across the archdiocese participated in the Mass by proclaiming the readings, offering the prayers of the faithful, and bringing forward the gifts.
Superintendent, archbishop address the graduates
Superintendent Sister Mary Grace and Assistant Superintendent Linda Dougherty also addressed the students, encouraging them as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.
In his homily, Archbishop Hicks centered his message on a simple but powerful call to discipleship: “Believe. Follow. Serve.”
He reminded students that their years of service in Catholic school were not simply requirements to fulfill, but expressions of a deeper faith.
“If you follow him, he asks you to live your faith by serving others,” he said, urging graduates to carry that mission into the world.
“Your life in the Church right now matters”
Looking out at the packed cathedral, the archbishop also emphasized that the students are not only the future of the Church, but its present. “Your life in the Church and your life in the world right now matter,” he said.
Catholic education in the archdiocese began in 1800 at St. Peter’s Parish in lower Manhattan. Today, nearly 50,000 students from pre-K through 12th grade are served across 153 schools in nine counties and boroughs.
Building on more than 200 years of forming young people in both faith and academics, Catholic schools in the archdiocese boast a 99% graduation rate, with the overwhelming majority of seniors continuing to higher education.
A celebration and a moment of unity
That legacy was visible throughout the cathedral, as thousands of students gathered not just to celebrate an ending, but to be sent forth as young people formed in faith, ready to live it in the world.
For students, the Mass was both a celebration and a moment of unity.
“It was nice to be together as a class and with other Catholic schools,” said senior Maeve Conlon. “It was just great to see a lot of people together.”
Stephen Kelly echoed that sentiment, calling the experience “a pretty awesome” opportunity to see the universality of the Church.
“It’s something that I’ve never been a part of like this before,” he said.
“We measure our success in their service to others”
Educators also reflected on the significance of the moment.
John Douthit, president of John S. Burke Catholic High School & Burke Catholic Academy, and principal Janice Clark described the Mass as a meaningful culmination of their students’ formation.
“To see the students walking into the cathedral and being in the presence of the archbishop is just really special,” Clark said.
Both emphasized that success for their graduates goes beyond academics or career achievements.
“As Catholic educators, we measure our success… in their service to others,” Douthit said.
As the Mass concluded, the graduates left St. Patrick’s Cathedral not only with a sense of accomplishment but with a shared mission, one rooted in faith, service, and the call to live as missionary disciples.