New York Archbishop Ronald Hicks remembers the martyrs and persecuted at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Celebrating his first Courage in Faith Mass, newly installed prelate says ACN “reminds us that we should not take our faith for granted.”

Less than two months after his installation as archbishop of New York, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks prayed with the U.S. team of Aid to the Church in Need, benefactors of ACN, and the faithful for the persecuted and suffering Church.

Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks. Courtesy of the Archdiocese of New York.

Archbishop Hicks, who succeeded Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan on February 6, was the main celebrant and homilist of the Courage in Faith Mass on March 22, part of an ACN-USA initiative.

The Mass takes place on the Sunday before Palm Sunday each year as part of ACN’s “Courage in Faith” program — a week dedicated to the plight of the suffering Church around the world. Supporters pledge to pray for those who have fallen and those who continue to suffer for the faith today.

On the same day, at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bishop Robert J. Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn, also celebrated Mass for the Courage in Faith initiative.

“We recall the persecuted Church,” Bishop Brennan said at the beginning of Mass. “We think of the martyrs, even the martyrs in the last year. … It’s such an important thing, as we get ready to walk the road to Calvary with Jesus, to think of those who are bearing the cross right here and now in our own day and time.”

“They need our support”

ACN distributed a Courage in Faith brochure at the churches, providing up to date information on heroic priests, religious and lay faithful who have given their lives for the Gospel over the past year.

At what is arguably America’s most prominent cathedral, Archbishop Hicks in his homily noted that Aid to the Church in Need “reminds us that we should not take our faith for granted.”

“In this day and age, there are still Christians – many – who are suffering, who are persecuted, and they need our support and our prayers,” the archbishop told ACN staff members and donors present.

Having worked in El Salvador as a young priest, Archbishop Hicks is keenly aware of challenges that Christians face in many parts of the world.

Two of the intentions in the Prayer of the Faithful also referred to causes that ACN is particularly concerned about:

  • “For Christians facing persecution for their faith, and for those who assist them, particularly the members and supporters of Aid to the Church in Need.”
  • “That the Church may be inspired by the courage and missionary zeal of those around the world who risk their lives for the Gospel.”

Concelebrating the Mass was Msgr. Luke M. Sweeney, ecclesiastical assistant for ACN-USA and vice rector of the Archdiocese of New York’s major seminary.

ACN-USA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, George J. Marlin, read the first reading for the Mass, and board member Christian Browne read the second. Staff members from ACN-USA were present, including Executive Director Sarkis Boghjalian and Director of Outreach Edward F. Clancy. Clancy carried in procession a large icon of Our Lady of Refuge, showing persecuted Christians being protected by the Mother of God.

Clancy commented later: “Each year, we honor those who have died for their faith during Masses held during the week before Palm Sunday. It is always a privilege to pray for and support our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters. This year, we are particularly grateful that both Archbishop Hicks and Bishop Brennan offered Masses in memory of Christian martyrs. This season reminds us that the Way of the Cross is undertaken by countless Christians around the world, many of whom sacrifice their lives for their beliefs. While we know some of their names, unfortunately, many remain unknown. Please pray for them.”

–John Burger