Art That Tells New York’s Story
On September 17, 2025, St. Patrick’s Cathedral unveiled its largest major commissioned artwork in the 146-year history of the cathedral: a 25-foot mural celebrating the arrival of immigrants to New York City. Painted by Brooklyn-based artist Adam Cvijanovic, the sweeping artwork draws connections between 19th-century Irish immigrants, today’s diverse immigrant communities, and the faith that sustained generations.
His Eminence Cardinal Dolan described the piece as “a celebration of a city that has been built by immigrants and where immigrants have been welcomed.” With panels depicting Irish families disembarking from ships, modern-day immigrants with luggage, and saints such as Mother Cabrini and Félix Varela who dedicated their lives to serving newcomers, the mural is rooted in the Church’s historic mission to welcome the stranger.
The mural also honors first responders, many of whom came from immigrant families, reflecting the bond between service, sacrifice, and community.
The Church’s Legacy of Hospitality
The history of Catholicism in New York is the history of migration. When Archbishop John Hughes championed the construction of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the mid-19th century, he declared that it would be “built on the pennies of immigrants.” Those “pennies” came largely from Irish families fleeing famine and hardship, and the cathedral quickly became a spiritual home for generations of newcomers.
That legacy continued through every wave of immigration: Italians in the early 20th century, Puerto Ricans in the post-war decades, and more recently, immigrants from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. Leaders such as Mother Cabrini and Dorothy Day embodied the Church’s call to welcome and defend the dignity of all people, while parishes across the city adapted to meet the needs of shifting neighborhoods.
The mural situates this legacy within the present. By depicting immigrants from across the world, it affirms that New York remains a city of welcome — and that the Church continues to be a steadfast companion to those seeking safety, stability, and hope.
Catholic Charities: Living the Mural’s Mission
For Catholic Charities of New York, the themes of the mural are not confined to art — they are lived daily in our programs and services. Each year, Catholic Charities serves tens of thousands of immigrants and refugees across the Archdiocese — offering legal assistance, English and citizenship classes, housing support, employment readiness, food assistance, and more.
Like the mural’s imagery, our work bridges past and present. We stand in continuity with the Church leaders and saints who opened schools, shelters, and hospitals for newcomers a century ago. That mission continues through immigrant and refugee services that help families navigate complex legal systems, find dignified work, and integrate fully into the fabric of New York.
Our staff and volunteers witness firsthand the resilience of immigrant families — the same resilience depicted in the mural’s painted figures waiting with luggage, facing uncertainty but grounded in hope. Just as St. Patrick’s Cathedral has always been a symbol of faith and welcome, Catholic Charities works to ensure that every immigrant who arrived in New York was met with compassion, dignity, and opportunity.
An Artist Conversation on JustLove
In a recent episode of his JustLove program on SiriusXM, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan sat down with artist Adam Cvijanovic to discuss the mural and its meaning. Their conversation offered a unique glimpse into the inspiration, vision, and challenges behind the project.
Cvijanovic shared that the idea began with His Eminence Cardinal Dolan, who wanted to enliven the cathedral’s north entrance and connect the immigrant story. After a closed competition, Cvijanovic’s proposal was chosen. For him, the mural had to be both deeply Catholic and deeply New York.
His solution was to fill the space with portraits of real people — immigrants, saints, first responders, and everyday New Yorkers. “It was important that when someone looks at the mural, they see themselves, their grandfather, or their great-grandmother,” he explained. “Even the angels are modeled after real people.”
Among the most striking features are the two towering angels flanking the Fifth Avenue doors. One cradles symbols of service — a fireman’s helmet, a police hat, and a rescue pole — in honor of New Yorkers who risk their lives for others. The other protects the city itself, holding a miniature skyline where St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands tall beside the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. “New York has been through difficult times,” Cvijanovic said, “and it felt right to give the city a couple of good angels.”
The mural also acknowledges its urban context. Cvijanovic noted how his use of gilded, geometric design elements is a nod to the Art Deco style of Rockefeller Center across the street, visible when the cathedral doors are open. “It had to belong to St. Patrick’s,” he said, “but it also had to belong to New York.”
The project took nine months to complete and required balancing many figures without losing their individuality. “What struck me was that while there are many people, they don’t merge into a mass. Their individuality is clear, and that makes it moving and critical,” Monsignor Sullivan said, praising this achievement.
This reminder — that each face tells a story, and every individual matters — captures the heart of the mural and the spirit of welcome at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Art as Invitation
Public art has the power to spark conversation, inspire reflection, and invite community. Cvijanovic, the mural’s painter, emphasized that his goal was accessibility: to create a work that resonates not only with those steeped in Catholic tradition but also with anyone who walks through the cathedral doors.
In this way, the mural is not only about history but about encounter. It asks New Yorkers and visitors alike to see themselves in the stories of immigrants, to recognize the sacrifices of first responders, and to reflect on the enduring values of peace, love, and understanding.
At a time when immigration is often politicized, the mural serves as a counterpoint: a bold affirmation that immigrants are integral to the identity of both New York and the Catholic Church. It invites all of us to embrace a spirit of solidarity — one that Catholic Charities of New York strives to live out every day.
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