Cardinal Dolan Marks 50 Years of Priesthood
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the former Archbishop of New York, celebrated a significant milestone—his 50th anniversary of being ordained as a priest—on Thursday. This special event took place during a Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
At the ceremony, Dolan, who is 76, expressed his gratitude to former colleagues, city officials, and members of the community. He reflected on his lengthy career in the church, saying, “After 17 happy years, you are my family. You are my friend and I love you. And I thank you. Thank you so much.” He added, “My years as a priest and bishop may have been worth it. If so, it’s because of you. Without Jesus, I could have done nothing. Without you, all the little accomplishments you so kindly pointed out could never have happened.” There was a real warmth in his words.
The Mass was particularly meaningful as it coincided with Ascension Day, a major Christian observance that celebrates Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, which happens 40 days after Easter.
During the service, different ministers contributed by reading from the Bible. Texts included sections from the Acts of the Apostles and St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, which underscores the theme of church unity.
Dolan led the Archdiocese of New York since 2009, leaving the post in December and passing the responsibilities to Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois. He was ordained a priest on June 19, 1976, by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and he began his journey by serving as an associate pastor in Missouri until 1979. After that, he pursued a doctoral degree in American Church History at the Catholic University of America.
Interestingly, in May 2025, Dolan participated in the conference that led to the election of Pope Leo XIV.
Bishop Hicks, who once humorously referred to himself as Pope Leo’s “mini-me,” honored Dolan during the Mass. He began speaking in Spanish before switching back to English to share a heartfelt story. Hicks reminisced about an archdiocesan board meeting where the president, despite not being Catholic, mentioned that his involvement with the church had led him to consider becoming one. He confided in Dolan about wanting to convert, to which Dolan readily offered his assistance. “These words reflect who Cardinal Dolan is and what he is at his core. He is a priest who is willing to help,” Hicks affirmed.
The service was mostly filled with Bible readings and hymns, contributing to an overall serene atmosphere.
In his closing remarks, Dolan took a moment to acknowledge his parents, who had gotten married in Missouri in 1949, and his brother Pat, who participated in the service by reading. He expressed his deep appreciation for everyone present. “It is an eternal treasure for me to be here in New York and near you. It may be the eve of the Ascension, but for me it is Christmas Eve and I am like a child under the tree looking at all the gifts. Thank you,” he concluded, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
