On Friday, November 7, the White Cross Ball of New York City welcomed over 400 guests in support of the Order of Malta’s global humanitarian efforts. Organized by the NYC Area’s St. John Committee, the Ball raises funds for Malteser International Americas, the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem, and Malta Camp USA for young adults with disabilities.
Congratulatory remarks on the occasion of the Ball’s 10th anniversary were made by American Association President Kenneth Craig, GCM, before a special video marking the work of the beneficiaries.
The previous evening, the St. John Committee hosted a special reception for patrons and benefactors, held at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parish House, with the Rector of St. Patrick’s, the Very Rev. Enrique Salvo, ChM. Following an opening prayer by Fr. Salvo, Fra’ Nicola Tegoni, Member of the Sovereign Council, reflected on the Order’s mission and the Ball’s 10th anniversary. Guests were joined by American Association President Kenneth Craig, GCM, Ambassador Peter McGuire, GCMOb, and H.E. Ambassador Paul Beresford-Hill, KMOb, CBE, Ed.D.
On behalf of the St. John Committee, Chair Mercedes de Guardiola, DM, offered remarks, with special thanks to Area Membership Chairs Camille Kelleher, GCMoB and Rory Kelleher, GCMoB for their support of the committee since its formation in 2014. The Committee is deeply grateful to the NYC Area under Area Chairs Steve Bujno, KM and Eric Vitale, KM for their leadership throughout the year and especially to the Fr. Salvo for extending the exceptional hospitality of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and its staff.
The Committee looks forward to hosting its Spring Knights cocktail fundraiser on Friday, April 24 in support of the NYC Area’s volunteer works, including the Malta Mobile Ministry, annual flu vaccination clinics, Circus at Mother Cabrini Specialty Hospital, karaoke nights at Mary Manning Walsh, and Malta Walks. Tickets will go on sale in January. For patron and sponsorship opportunities, or to inquire about joining the Committee, kindly email info@stjohncommittee.org.
Click through the photos below to see a slideshow from the White Cross Ball.
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The day began with a service project in which members assembled"},{"id":"78584","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/02\/12\/all-in-the-family-daughter-of-michigan-area-members-baptized-at-areas-first-saturday-michigan-dame-knight-are-godparents\/","name":"all-in-the-family-daughter-of-michigan-area-members-baptized-at-areas-first-saturday-michigan-dame-knight-are-godparents","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2-7.png","alt":""},"title":"All in the Family: Daughter of Michigan Area members baptized at Area\u2019s First Saturday; Michigan Dame, Knight are godparents","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Feb 12, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-12 19:57:15","modifiedDate":"2026-02-13 14:22:41","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-13 14:22:41","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/michigan\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Michigan<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/michigan\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Michigan<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":15},"status":"publish","content":"At the Michigan Area\u2019s February 7 First Saturday, the Church and the Area welcomed a new daughter to the Body of Christ: Little Emma Shriner,"},{"id":"78580","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/02\/12\/southeast-florida-area-celebrates-world-day-of-the-sick-2\/","name":"southeast-florida-area-celebrates-world-day-of-the-sick-2","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1-6.png","alt":""},"title":"Southeast Florida Area Celebrates World Day of the Sick","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Feb 12, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-12 19:48:29","modifiedDate":"2026-02-12 19:48:30","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-12 19:48:30","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/florida-southeast-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Florida \u2013 Southeast<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/florida-southeast-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Florida \u2013 Southeast<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":6},"status":"publish","content":"The Southeast Florida Area gathered in prayer, fellowship, and service to honor the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick"},{"id":"78481","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/02\/10\/nyc-area-february-singalong-with-mother-cabrini-specialty-hospital-children\/","name":"nyc-area-february-singalong-with-mother-cabrini-specialty-hospital-children","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/3-3.png","alt":""},"title":"NYC Area February Singalong with Mother Cabrini Specialty Hospital Children","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Feb 10, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-10 20:43:59","modifiedDate":"2026-02-10 20:44:00","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-10 20:44:00","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-nyc\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - NYC<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-nyc\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - NYC<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":32},"status":"publish","content":"On Saturday, February 2, a spirited group of both new and longtime volunteers from the New York City Area braved the cold to gather for"},{"id":"78468","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/02\/10\/stirring-up-love-a-valentines-heart-to-table-evening\/","name":"stirring-up-love-a-valentines-heart-to-table-evening","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4-2.png","alt":""},"title":"Stirring Up Love: A Valentine\u2019s Heart to Table Evening","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Feb 10, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-10 20:38:48","modifiedDate":"2026-02-10 20:39:35","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-10 20:39:35","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/connecticut-western-northern-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - Southern, Western & Northern<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/connecticut-western-northern-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - Southern, Western & Northern<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":31},"status":"publish","content":"On Thursday, February 5th, love was truly in the air at Malta House as the Connecticut - South West Area gathered for an evening of"},{"id":"78450","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/02\/10\/south-west-connecticut-and-westchester-areas-celebrate-world-day-of-prayer-for-the-sick\/","name":"south-west-connecticut-and-westchester-areas-celebrate-world-day-of-prayer-for-the-sick","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6-1.png","alt":""},"title":"South West Connecticut and Westchester Areas Celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Sick","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Feb 10, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-10 20:25:53","modifiedDate":"2026-02-10 21:03:19","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-10 21:03:19","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/connecticut-western-northern-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - Southern, Western & Northern<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-westchester\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - Westchester<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/connecticut-western-northern-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - Southern, Western & Northern<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-westchester\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - Westchester<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":23},"status":"publish","content":"On Saturday, February 7, members of the Connecticut - South West and New York - Westchester Areas came together to celebrate the World Day of"},{"id":"78437","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/02\/10\/knights-and-dames-join-archbishop-hicks-on-the-occasion-of-his-installation-and-for-solemn-vespers\/","name":"knights-and-dames-join-archbishop-hicks-on-the-occasion-of-his-installation-and-for-solemn-vespers","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1.png","alt":""},"title":"Knights and Dames Join Archbishop Hicks on the Occasion of His Installation and for Solemn Vespers","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Feb 10, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-10 20:02:17","modifiedDate":"2026-02-10 21:02:54","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-10 21:02:54","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-nyc\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - NYC<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-nyc\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - NYC<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":17},"status":"publish","content":"Last week, the New York City Area's Knights and Dames joined six cardinals; 13 archbishops; dozens of bishops; hundreds of priests, nuns, and other religious;"},{"id":"78339","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/02\/06\/michigan-knight-witnesses-to-prolife-cause-boosts-order-of-malta-in-montana\/","name":"michigan-knight-witnesses-to-prolife-cause-boosts-order-of-malta-in-montana","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-MI-March-for-Life-Montana.png","alt":""},"title":"Michigan Knight witnesses to prolife cause, boosts Order of Malta \u2013 in Montana","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Feb 6, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-06 20:11:13","modifiedDate":"2026-02-06 20:11:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-06 20:11:13","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/michigan\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Michigan<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/michigan\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Michigan<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":31},"status":"publish","content":"A Michigan Knight may have moved some 1,500 miles when he relocated to Montana, but his commitment to the prolife cause \u2013 and the Order"},{"id":"78331","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/02\/06\/michigan-area-has-strong-presence-at-d-c-january-pilgrimage-for-life-including-michigan-dame-from-original-frozen-chosen\/","name":"michigan-area-has-strong-presence-at-d-c-january-pilgrimage-for-life-including-michigan-dame-from-original-frozen-chosen","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-MI-PFL-1.png","alt":""},"title":"Michigan Area has strong presence at D.C. 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