On Monday, April 6, the NYC Area gathered to celebrate our First Monday Mass in the Lady Chapel of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Fr. Alex Nevitt, Deputy Chaplain, Order of Malta American Association – NJ Area, was the celebrant of the Mass.

In his homily, Fr. Nevitt reflected on the enduring mission of Christ, whose Resurrection we had just celebrated. We celebrate Easter every year, he reminded us, because that mission is not finished — Christ continues to call us, to challenge us, and to transform us. And yet, he noted, there are still those who wish to silence Jesus, precisely because his voice is the one that calls us to account for what we are doing wrong. The Resurrection is God’s answer to every attempt to silence that voice.

Fr. Nevitt also invited us to reflect on how we respond to the needs of others. It can be tempting, he said, to think that throwing money at a problem is enough — that a financial solution is a real solution. This tied into Monday’s Gospel reading, in which the high priests tried to throw money at their problem, by giving large sums to the soldiers who had guarded Jesus’ tomb, instructing them to say the disciples had stolen the body. But money is a short-term answer, and money does not change the heart. What truly transforms a person is love: the love that shows up, speaks with someone, listens to them, and remains present to them. This is the love Christ modeled for us, and the love to which we, as members of the Order of Malta, are called.

We were delighted to welcome our Year of Formation candidates to say the reading and Parish announcements. Following Mass, a large group enjoyed fellowship at a nearby tavern. Please join us for our next First Monday Mass and monthly social hour on Monday, May 4.

Please scroll through the slideshow below to see more photos from the Mass.