-   Having finished his theological course, John McCloskey returned to his home diocese of New York. He was ordained a priest by his old mentor, Dr. Dubois, the Bishop of New York, at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sunday January 12, 1834. It was said of him:
Dr. McCloskey was equally potent in persuasion. Few if any preachers in this country ever descended from altar or pulpit, so uniformly leaving a pleasant impression on the minds of their hearers, or a more edifying effect upon their hearts.
Later, as the Archbishop of New York, Mother Maddalena unsuccessfully petitioned to be allowed to make a foundation in New York.  However, she always held Cardinal McCloskey in great esteem.