ABOUT | rickymanalo

Milestones in Ministry and Scholarship

Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, is a Paulist priest and a pioneering voice in Catholic liturgy, music, and theology, recognized internationally for his contributions to intercultural ministry and pastoral leadership. His work has significantly shaped Asian American Catholicism and deepened the Church’s engagement with sociological disciplines such as political polarization and artificial intelligence. Below are some of his most notable achievements:

1995 – Pioneer Composer of Asian American Liturgical Music
- Fr. Ricky pioneered the development and recognition of Asian Catholic liturgical music in the United States.
2007 – National Hymn Competition Winner for Ecumenical Dialogue
- His collaborative hymn, That All May Be One in Christ, won the National Hymn Competition of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
2008 – First Course on Asian Catholic Liturgies & Devotions in the U.S.
- His course, Asian Liturgies and Devotions, became the first time this subject was ever taught in a Roman Catholic theological institution in the U.S. (Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley, CA).
2015 – Catholic Press Association Award-Winning Author
- His first book, Chanting On Our Behalf (revised edition, Pastoral Press, 2015), won First Place for Best E-Book by the Catholic Press Association.
2018 – Pastoral Musician of the Year
- Awarded Pastoral Musician of the Year by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM).
2018 – Official Consultor for the U.S. Bishops
- A theological consultor for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) since 1994, Fr. Manalo has contributed to numerous statements and guidelines. In 2018, he co-authored Encountering Christ in Harmony, the USCCB’s pastoral response to Asian Pacific Catholics.
2019 – Composer for Pope Francis’ Historic Abu Dhabi Mass
- On February 5, 2019, his Mass of Spirit and Grace was the musical setting chosen for Pope Francis' Eucharistic celebration at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. This event was the largest gathering of Christians in the history of the Arab Peninsula (160,000+ worshippers, including 4,000 Muslims) and the first-ever public Roman Catholic Mass in the region.
2020 – Distinguished Catholic Music Composer of the Year
- Named Distinguished Catholic Music Composer of the Year by the Association of Catholic Publishers.
2024 – Director of the First National Conference on Polarization in the U.S. Catholic Church
- Under his leadership, the first national Paulist Summit on Polarization—addressing polarization in the U.S. Catholic Church—was held in Las Vegas from April 19–21, 2024.
2024 - Invited Presenter on AI at the Vatican
- He was invited by the Vatican to serve on a panel of theologians, ethicists, and experts exploring how Catholic faith can shape the ethical development of artificial intelligence.

More About Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP

Fr. Ricky is a Paulist priest, liturgical composer, theologian, and pastoral scholar whose work has shaped Catholic worship, intercultural ministry, and theological discourse. Born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Marlboro, NJ, he studied composition and piano at the Manhattan School of Music; theology at the Washington Theological Union (WTU); and liturgy, culture, and sociology at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA. He currently serves as chairperson of the Paulist Initiative on Polarization ("The Communion Project"), leading efforts to bridge divides and foster dialogue within the U.S. Catholic Church.

Liturgical Music & Composition

Scholarship & Teaching

Theological Consulting & Church Leadership

Asian American Catholicism

Polarization

Artificial Intelligence

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Fr. Manalo is engaged in the global conversation on artificial intelligence (AI) and its ethical implications for faith, human dignity, and common ground. In 2024 he was invited by Cardinal Peter Turkson to participate in the Builders Artificial Intelligence Forum (BAIF) held at the Vatican, where theologians, ethicists, and AI experts examined the role of faith in shaping ethical AI development. His contributions focus on how pastoral ministry and liturgical practice can serve as a counterbalance to AI-driven societies, ensuring that technological advancements enhance rather than replace human flourishing in alignment with Catholic social teaching.

Global Missionary & Public Engagement

In addition to his theological and musical contributions, Fr. Manalo is a highly sought-after speaker who has traveled extensively across six continents and throughout the United States, delivering keynotes, workshops, lectures, and concerts in more than 30 international cities. His engagements have brought him before scholarly, pastoral, and interfaith audiences, guiding communities in exploring the role of faith in an evolving world.
When he is not traveling, he resides at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York City, where he continues to compose, write, and mentor future pastoral leaders.

As a composer, Fr. Manalo has written music that spans diverse cultural and musical traditions and styles—from Western classical to Asian pentatonic styles to contemporary. His hymns and Mass settings are widely used in Catholic worship worldwide and are published primarily by Oregon Catholic Press (OCP).
He is well-known for pioneering and popularizing Asian American liturgical music, integrating cultural expressions with Christian worship to foster inclusivity.
His compositions have been featured in major international liturgical celebrations, including three Papal Masses and countless conferences, affirming his role as a bridge between faith, music, and cultural identity.

Fr. Manalo’s theological contributions extend beyond music. As a pastoral theologian and sociologist of religion, he has explored the relationship between liturgy, culture, and social practices. His published works—including books, articles, and essays—delve into topics such as liturgical formation, cultural diversity, and the impact of social change on faith communities.

He has also contributed to academia by developing groundbreaking courses that bring underrepresented perspectives into theological education. His course Asian Liturgies and Devotions was the first of its kind in a U.S. Roman Catholic theological institution, helping seminaries and lay leaders engage with the richness of global Catholic traditions.

Fr. Manalo is a highly sought-after theological consultor and advisor, recognized for his contributions to liturgical inculturation, pastoral ministry, and the Church’s response to emerging ethical challenges. His expertise in cultural diversity, worship, and ecclesial leadership has made him a key voice in shaping the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) initiatives on liturgical practices, racial justice, and intercultural competence.

He co-authored Encountering Christ in Harmony, the national pastoral plan for U.S. Asian Pacific Catholics, and A Treasured Presence: Filipino American Catholics. For three decades, he has served as an advisor to the USCCB. He currently directs the Cultural Orientation Program for International Ministers (COPIM) at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA.

A Moment of Celebration! On June 18, 2018, the U.S. Bishops voted and approved Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response To Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters during their Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Pictured here are Bishop Oscar Solis, Bishop of Salt Lake City, UT; Mar Muñoz-Visoso, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church; Fr. Linh Huong, OFM, Siena College, and Sr. Mryna Tordillo, Assistant Director of the Secretariat.

His leadership also extends to addressing polarization within the U.S. Church and broader society. As Chairperson of the Paulist Initiative on Polarization (The Communion Project), he has led efforts to convene dialogues, workshops, and national gatherings that foster bridge-building and mutual understanding among Catholics of differing perspectives. His direction of the Paulist Summit on Polarization (April 19-21, 2024) marked a historic step in engaging Catholic leaders, media figures, and scholars in addressing one of the most pressing pastoral challenges of our time.

Read About Polarization Summit

The Pontifical Academy of Science

Delivering the plenum address, "The Future Has Already Begun" during the 50th Anniversary of the Federation of Liturgical Commissions National Conference (Chicago, IL: Oct. 11, 2019).