Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) featured members of the Order of Malta for their Executive Panel Series event on “The Virtue of Charity” this past Tuesday, February 17th at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. YCP is a large and growing nationwide organization of early-to-mid-career Catholics who seek to live their faith and Christian virtues in the workplace. Chapter-led executive panels invite panelists in each YCP chapter’s region who are prominent for exercising their faith in their careers, volunteer work, or community life. More information about YCP can be found at their website: https://www.youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/new-york-city-manhattan.

The NYC chapter’s panel Tuesday included six Order of Malta members who have established and led Order of Malta works and apostolates, balancing fulltime careers, often as they were in formation to become fruitful Knights, Dames, and Auxiliary members for the Order. NYC Auxiliary Member Patrick Dwyer led the Rosary as over a hundred young professionals from the New York metro region filtered into the basilica. After an invocation by New York City YCP Chaplain Rev. Daniel Ray and introductions by Chapter President Alison Gould, panel coordinator and Order member Dr. Michael Espiritu KM moderated the panel which included Eric Vitale KM, Michael Smilek KM, Mercedes de Guardiola DM, Luisa Majnoni d’Intignano AUX, and Christopher Carter Lee KM.

Moderator and panelists focused their discussion on how charity infuses the works and the manner in which works are organized and performed in the Order of Malta, with members living out “tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum.” The sacrificial quality of true Christian charity, based in love of God and love for our fellow humankind made in God’s image, was a common message. Rev. Alex Nevitt, an Order of Malta Deputy Chaplain, gave a closing benediction and the entire assembly enjoyed a wine and cheese reception hosted by the YCP New York City Chapter where discussion on the night’s themes continued.