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.
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Alex Nevitt,"},{"id":"80992","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/05\/01\/missouri-members-volunteer-at-food-pantry\/","name":"missouri-members-volunteer-at-food-pantry","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-MO-Food-Pantry.png","alt":""},"title":"Missouri Members Volunteer at Food Pantry","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"May 1, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-05-01 16:11:39","modifiedDate":"2026-05-01 16:11:41","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-05-01 16:11:41","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\/missouri\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Missouri<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/missouri\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Missouri<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":26},"status":"publish","content":"On Monday, April 25th, 10 members from the Missouri Area helped staff the food pantry at St. Pius V Catholic Church in the City of"},{"id":"80988","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/05\/01\/boston-areas-malta-walk-with-providence-college\/","name":"boston-areas-malta-walk-with-providence-college","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-Boston-Prov-MW-Apr.png","alt":""},"title":"Boston Area's Malta Walk with Providence College","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"May 1, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-05-01 16:02:05","modifiedDate":"2026-05-01 16:04:37","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-05-01 16:04:37","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":20},"status":"publish","content":"While the American Association was in Lourdes, the Boston Area\u2019s Providence, RI Malta Walk took place locally with the support of Providence College students. 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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":"2026-04-30 17:04:48","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-30 17:04:48","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":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. Despite the stormy weather, the retreat opened at Holy Cross Church"},{"id":"80074","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/24\/upstate-new-york-area-welcomes-bishop-mark-oconnell\/","name":"upstate-new-york-area-welcomes-bishop-mark-oconnell","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-NY-Upstate-Mass-with-Bishop.png","alt":""},"title":"Upstate New York Area Welcomes Bishop Mark O\u2019Connell","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 24, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-24 18:40:23","modifiedDate":"2026-04-24 18:40:26","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-24 18:40:26","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-upstate-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York \u2013 Upstate<\/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-upstate-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York \u2013 Upstate<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":54},"status":"publish","content":"Members and friends of the Upstate New York Area gathered on Wednesday, April 22nd for a special evening centered on prayer, fellowship, and welcome as"},{"id":"80070","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/04\/24\/new-jersey-area-hosts-new-member-reception\/","name":"new-jersey-area-hosts-new-member-reception","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-13.png","alt":""},"title":"New Jersey Area Hosts New Member Reception","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Apr 24, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-04-24 18:27:12","modifiedDate":"2026-04-24 18:27:14","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-04-24 18:27:14","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":26},"status":"publish","content":"On Sunday, April 19th, New Jersey Area Year of Formation (YOF) candidates and their sponsors gathered at the beautiful home of Troy Simmons, KM, and"}]
