Local Man Invested as a Knight of Malta at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC

Charles J. Gangi Invested As a Knight of Malta at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

New York City (November 14, 2025)

Charles J. “CJ” Gangi, KM, of North Andover, Massachusetts was invested as a Knight of Magistral Grace in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. The main celebrant of the Solemn Mass of Investiture was His Eminence Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, BGCHD, Archbishop of New York and the Principal Chaplain of the Order of Malta’s American Association. Also welcomed into the SMOM during the service was the Archbishop of Boston, His Excellency Richard G. Henning, STD, ChC, who is now a Conventual Chaplain ad Honorem of the Order of Malta.

Mr. Gangi is a long-time parishioner of Saint Michael Church in North Andover, together with his wife, JoAnn, and their two children. He is the son of Joseph & Mary Gangi, also of North Andover. The family was present to participate in the Investiture and later celebrated at a white tie ball held at Cipriani on 42nd Street in NYC. Her Excellency Sr. Raffaella Petrini, FSE -- President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State & President of the Governorate of Vatican City State and its de facto “mayor” -- was the featured speaker for the evening event.

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilization. Present in Palestine in around 1048, it is a lay religious Order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. Its 13,500 members include Professed Friars and others who have made the promise of obedience. The other Knights and Dames are lay members, devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity. What distinguishes the Knights and Dames of Malta is their commitment to reaching their spiritual perfection within the Church and to expending their energies serving the poor and the sick.

The Order of Malta remains true to its inspiring principles, summarized in the motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum”, nurturing, witnessing and protecting the Faith and assistance to the poor and the suffering, which become reality through the voluntary work carried out by Dames and Knights in humanitarian assistance and medical and social activities. Today the Order carries out these activities in over 120 countries, and will celebrate its centennial in the United States in 2027.

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law, with its own constitution, passports, stamps, and public institutions. The Order has diplomatic relations with 112 countries and missions to major European countries, as well as to European and international organizations, including as a Permanent Observer of the United Nations General Assembly. The Order of Malta is neutral, impartial and non-political, which enables it to successfully act as a mediator between States.