On Monday, January 5, the Lady Chapel of St. Patrick’s Cathedral was overflowing as the NYC Area rang in its spiritual New Year at the opening First Monday Mass of 2026. Celebrated by Rev. Joseph Cavoto, ChM, OFM, the Mass continued the Christmas season, with the Lady Chapel resplendent with poinsettias and resounding with Christmas hymns.
In his homily, Fr. Cavoto highlighted how three of the saints with feast days this week remind us of why we are a religious order, with our charisms of defense of the faith and service to the poor and sick. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. John Neumann were tireless in their promotion of the faith through Catholic education. St. André Bessette ministered to thousands of the infirm, many of whom were healed through the intercession of St. Joseph. Fr. Cavoto implored the congregation, particularly the younger members of the Order, to find ways during the New Year to deepen our Catholic footprint in our work of defense of the faith. And that we should not be alone in what we do — that, as God created us as social creatures, we are called to witness the faith together. At the end of Mass, we were honored to have Amb. Peter McGuire, GCMOb and Regent of the Subpriory of Our Lady of Lourdes, lead the recitation of the Daily Prayer of the Order.
Following Mass, the Area enjoyed fellowship and refreshments in a lively reception in the Dolan Room. This was the largest First Monday Mass in memory — please join us for the next First Monday Mass on February 2!
Please scroll through the slideshow below to see more photos from the Mass and reception.
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Giving food or clothes isn't all\u00a0[you]\u00a0can do. The poor are your masters, extremely sensitive to the"},{"id":"80083","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/24\/lourdes-pilgrimage-blessing\/","name":"lourdes-pilgrimage-blessing","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2025-Lourdes-Sanctuary.png","alt":""},"title":"A Lourdes Pilgrimage Blessing","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 24, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-24 19:34:21","modifiedDate":"2026-04-24 19:34:56","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-24 19:34:56","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/chaplains-essays\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Chaplains' Corner<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/chaplains-essays\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Chaplains' Corner<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/tag\/home-scroller\/' rel='post_tag'>Home Scrolling News<\/a><a href='https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/tag\/home-slider\/' rel='post_tag'>Home Slider<\/a><a href='https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/tag\/mobile-app-scrolling-news\/' rel='post_tag'>Mobile App Scrolling News<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":48},"status":"publish","content":"All-powerful God, you always show mercy towards those who love you and you are close to those who seek you. Remain with these, your servants,"},{"id":"80080","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/24\/ct-south-west-area-members-serve-with-compassion-in-bridgeport\/","name":"ct-south-west-area-members-serve-with-compassion-in-bridgeport","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1-14.png","alt":""},"title":"CT \u2013 South West Area Members Serve with Compassion in Bridgeport","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 24, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-24 19:24:46","modifiedDate":"2026-04-24 19:24:47","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-24 19:24:47","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":26},"status":"publish","content":"Connecticut \u2013 South West Area volunteers gathered on the morning of Saturday, April 18 at the Thomas Merton Family Center, coming together in a shared"},{"id":"80077","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/24\/vero-beach-area-hosts-lenten-retreat\/","name":"vero-beach-area-hosts-lenten-retreat","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-FL-VB-Lent.png","alt":""},"title":"Vero Beach Area Hosts Lenten Retreat","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 24, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-24 18:56:48","modifiedDate":"2026-04-24 18:56:49","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-24 18:56:49","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/florida-vero-beach\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Florida - Vero Beach<\/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-vero-beach\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Florida - Vero Beach<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":55},"status":"publish","content":"The Vero Beach Area gathered March 19\u201320 for a mini-retreat with Fr. David Caron. 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On Wednesday, April 22, members of the Order"},{"id":"80064","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/24\/long-island-areas-annual-day-of-recollection-2\/","name":"long-island-areas-annual-day-of-recollection-2","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-NY-LI-Recollection.png","alt":""},"title":"Long Island Area's Annual Day of Recollection","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 24, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-24 17:42:15","modifiedDate":"2026-04-24 17:42:16","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-24 17:42:16","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-nassau-suffolk\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York \u2013 Nassau\/Suffolk<\/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-nassau-suffolk\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York \u2013 Nassau\/Suffolk<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":30},"status":"publish","content":"On Saturday, April 11, members of the Long Island Area, in conjunction with the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, gathered for their Annual Day of"},{"id":"80060","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/24\/philadelphia-area-members-gather-for-octave-of-easter\/","name":"philadelphia-area-members-gather-for-octave-of-easter","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-PA-PH-Salve-Mass-April.png","alt":""},"title":"Philadelphia Area Members Gather for Octave of Easter","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 24, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-24 17:22:58","modifiedDate":"2026-04-24 17:23:00","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-24 17:23:00","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\/pennsylvania-philadelphia\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Pennsylvania - Philadelphia<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/pennsylvania-philadelphia\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Pennsylvania - Philadelphia<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":12},"status":"publish","content":"On Saturday, April 11, during the Octave of Easter, Knights and Dames of the Philadelphia Area welcomed guests to join them for Saturday Salve Mass"},{"id":"80016","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/18\/dallas-area-represents-order-of-malta-at-young-catholic-professionals-conference\/","name":"dallas-area-represents-order-of-malta-at-young-catholic-professionals-conference","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1-12.png","alt":""},"title":"Dallas Area Represents Order of Malta at Young Catholic Professionals Conference","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 18, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-18 01:54:44","modifiedDate":"2026-04-18 01:54:47","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-18 01:54:47","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\/texas-dallas\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Texas - Dallas<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/texas-dallas\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Texas - Dallas<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":36},"status":"publish","content":"Knights and Dames from the Dallas Area joined members of the Federal Association in supporting the 2026 Young Catholic Professionals Conference, hosted in Plano, Texas."},{"id":"80013","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/18\/new-jersey-areas-holy-thursday-mass-at-morris-county-correctional-facility\/","name":"new-jersey-areas-holy-thursday-mass-at-morris-county-correctional-facility","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-NJ-PM-Holy-Thursday.png","alt":""},"title":"New Jersey Area's Holy Thursday Mass at Morris County Correctional Facility","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 18, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-18 01:43:11","modifiedDate":"2026-04-18 01:43:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-18 01:43:13","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\/new-jersey-auxiliary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New Jersey<\/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-jersey-auxiliary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New Jersey<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":32},"status":"publish","content":"Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ChC led a Holy Thursday Mass at Morris County Correctional Facility in Morristown, N.J., sharing Christ\u2019s message with inmates. He was"},{"id":"80010","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/18\/in-memoriam-long-island-areas-most-reverend-bishop-william-f-murphy\/","name":"in-memoriam-long-island-areas-most-reverend-bishop-william-f-murphy","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-NY-LI-Bishop-Murphy.png","alt":""},"title":"In Memoriam: Long Island Area's Most Reverend Bishop William F. Murphy","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 18, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-18 01:38:31","modifiedDate":"2026-04-18 01:38:32","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-18 01:38:32","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-nassau-suffolk\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York \u2013 Nassau\/Suffolk<\/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-nassau-suffolk\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York \u2013 Nassau\/Suffolk<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":31},"status":"publish","content":"The Most Reverend William Francis Murphy, D.D., S.T.D., L.H.D., the Fourth Bishop of Rockville Center, KC*HS and Conventual Chaplain of the Order of Malta, was"}]
About First Monday Mass
On the first Monday of each month, we gather for an evening Mass at 6:30 p.m. in the Lady Chapel at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Mass is celebrated by one or more of our Area Chaplains. All are welcome to join Mass and fellowship afterwards.
