On Monday, February 2, the NYC Area braved the cold to celebrate our First Monday Mass in the Lady Chapel of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Msgr. Robert Ritchie, GCChC and Chief Chaplain of the American Association was the celebrant of the Mass, which fell on the feast day of the Presentation of the Lord.
In his homily, Msgr. Ritchie said that while it is easy to focus on the Lord’s divinity, we need to remember that he was also human: Jesus’ presentation in the temple in today’s Gospel was a sign that Jesus was truly a child of Israel, a faithful son of the law of Moses, and the fulfillment of all the prophecies in the Old Testament. Through his suffering on the Cross, he won our salvation.
As Msgr. Ritchie reminded us, as followers of Jesus, the Order of Malta is called to walk in his steps. Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum: We defend the faith and serve the poor and sick. Our service is not separate from our faith—it is our living proclamation. Just as Christ’s humanity was inseparable from his divine mission, so too are our works inseparable from our witness to the Gospel.
Following Mass, a large group enjoyed fellowship at a nearby tavern. Please join us for our February 11 celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes/World Day of the Sick and for our next First Monday Mass and monthly social hour on Monday, March 2.
Please scroll through the slideshow below to see more photos from the Mass.
[{"id":"79454","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/19\/north-east-connecticut-areas-evening-prayer\/","name":"north-east-connecticut-areas-evening-prayer","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1-7.png","alt":""},"title":"North East Connecticut Area's Evening Prayer","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 19, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-19 18:26:33","modifiedDate":"2026-03-19 18:26:59","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-19 18:26:59","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/connecticut-north-east\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - North East<\/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-north-east\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - North East<\/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":"Evening Prayer for Laetare Sunday was sung on March 15, 2026, at St. Theresa\u2019s Church in North Haven, Connecticut. Archbishop Leonard P. Blair presided and"},{"id":"79449","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/19\/nyc-area-mobile-ministry-delivers-st-patricks-day-flowers-to-archcare-nursing-homes\/","name":"nyc-area-mobile-ministry-delivers-st-patricks-day-flowers-to-archcare-nursing-homes","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1-6.png","alt":""},"title":"NYC Area Mobile Ministry Delivers St. Patrick's Day Flowers to ArchCare Nursing Homes","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 19, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-19 13:48:44","modifiedDate":"2026-03-19 13:48:45","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-19 13:48:45","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":1},"status":"publish","content":"On Wednesday, March 18, the New York - NYC Area delivered 90 beautiful St. Patrick\u2019s Day floral arrangements to two Archcare facilities: Providence Rest Nursing"},{"id":"79444","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/19\/new-jersey-areas-annual-lenten-recollection\/","name":"new-jersey-areas-annual-lenten-recollection","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1-5.png","alt":""},"title":"New Jersey Area's Annual Lenten Recollection","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 19, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-19 13:41:39","modifiedDate":"2026-03-19 13:42:37","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-19 13:42:37","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":30},"status":"publish","content":"On Saturday, March 14th, members of the New Jersey Area gathered for our annual Lenten Recollection. We started with a beautiful Mass at St. Michael"},{"id":"79441","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/19\/philadelphia-area-gathers-for-lenten-reflection\/","name":"philadelphia-area-gathers-for-lenten-reflection","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-PA-PH-Lent.png","alt":""},"title":"Philadelphia Area Gathers for Lenten Reflection","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 19, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-19 13:33:59","modifiedDate":"2026-03-19 13:34:00","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-19 13:34:00","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":9},"status":"publish","content":"\u00a0On Saturday, March 14th, Knights and Dames in the Pennsylvania - Philadelphia Area joined together with Knights and Dames from the Federal Association for a"},{"id":"79436","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/19\/reflection-for-the-fifth-sunday-of-lent\/","name":"reflection-for-the-fifth-sunday-of-lent","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/book.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 19, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-19 13:16:42","modifiedDate":"2026-03-19 13:17:45","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-19 13:17:45","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":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":13},"status":"publish","content":"The Raising of Lazarus The readings from Sacred Scripture for the Fifth Sunday in Lent bring us face to face with the mystery and painful"},{"id":"79389","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/13\/reflection-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-lent\/","name":"reflection-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-lent","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/08-Heaven.png","alt":""},"title":"Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Lent","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 13, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-13 03:21:08","modifiedDate":"2026-03-13 03:34:06","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-13 03:34:06","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":3,"sec":50},"status":"publish","content":"Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind This year, as we continue our journey through Lent, we began last week using the medium of art as"},{"id":"79385","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/12\/blessing-the-seeds-for-a-new-season\/","name":"blessing-the-seeds-for-a-new-season","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-NE-CT-Seed-Blessing.png","alt":""},"title":"Blessing the Seeds for a New Season","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 12, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-12 22:45:15","modifiedDate":"2026-03-12 22:45:16","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-12 22:45:16","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/connecticut-north-east\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - North East<\/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-north-east\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - North East<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":3},"status":"publish","content":"At a recent Mass with the Connecticut - North East Area our Chaplain, Fr. Joseph MacNeill, blessed vegetable and flower seeds for the coming growing"},{"id":"79375","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/12\/michigan-area-members-urged-to-lift-up-the-prodigals-at-march-first-saturday\/","name":"michigan-area-members-urged-to-lift-up-the-prodigals-at-march-first-saturday","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1-4.png","alt":""},"title":"Michigan Area members urged to \u201clift up the prodigals\u201d at March First Saturday","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 12, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-12 20:10:22","modifiedDate":"2026-03-12 23:11:05","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-12 23:11:05","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":2},"status":"publish","content":"Members of the Order of Malta are called to \u201clift up the prodigals\u201d said Michigan Area chaplain Fr. John Maksym, ChD, in his homily at"},{"id":"79372","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/12\/as-harsh-michigan-winter-draws-to-a-close-donations-were-key-to-michigan-area-serving-homeless\/","name":"as-harsh-michigan-winter-draws-to-a-close-donations-were-key-to-michigan-area-serving-homeless","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-MI-March-Ministry.png","alt":""},"title":"As harsh Michigan winter draws to a close, donations were key to Michigan Area serving homeless","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 12, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-12 19:53:26","modifiedDate":"2026-03-12 19:53:27","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-12 19:53:27","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":39},"status":"publish","content":"Temperatures rose into the 60s on a balmy March 7 afternoon in Detroit, a welcome relief after a particularly harsh winter. But as Michiganians know,"},{"id":"79369","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/12\/boston-area-members-continue-a-decade-of-service-at-cor-unum-meal-center\/","name":"boston-area-members-continue-a-decade-of-service-at-cor-unum-meal-center","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-Boston-March-Cor-Unum.png","alt":""},"title":"Boston Area Members Continue A Decade of Service at Cor Unum Meal Center","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 12, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-12 19:47:56","modifiedDate":"2026-03-12 19:47:57","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-12 19:47:57","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/boston\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Boston<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/boston\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Boston<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"For over ten years, Boston Area members have volunteered at the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence, MA, a ministry founded in 2006 and grounded"},{"id":"79362","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/12\/st-patricks-day-karaoke-lights-up-mary-manning-walsh-nursing-home\/","name":"st-patricks-day-karaoke-lights-up-mary-manning-walsh-nursing-home","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/3-2.png","alt":""},"title":"St. Patrick\u2019s Day Karaoke Lights Up Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 12, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-12 19:41:56","modifiedDate":"2026-03-12 19:41:57","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-12 19:41:57","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":49},"status":"publish","content":"On Tuesday, March 10, Knights, Dames, Auxiliary and Volunteers led the St. Patrick\u2019s Day Edition of our Monthly Service Work: Late Knight Karaoke at the"},{"id":"79358","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/03\/12\/nyc-area-lenten-holy-hour-and-spiritual-reflections\/","name":"nyc-area-lenten-holy-hour-and-spiritual-reflections","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-NYC-Lent.png","alt":""},"title":"NYC Area Lenten Holy Hour and Spiritual Reflections","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Mar 12, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-12 19:29:15","modifiedDate":"2026-03-12 19:29:38","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-12 19:29:38","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":2,"sec":12},"status":"publish","content":"On Tuesday, March 10, the NYC Area participated in a Lenten Holy Hour and Spiritual Reflections service. The service was held in the Lady Chapel"}]
