Local Religious life

Father Riley will be elevated in rank to magistral chaplain in the Order of Malta

Father John Riley, center, will be elevated to the rank of magistral chaplain in the Federal Association of the Order of Malta later this year. Father Riley has served as associate chaplain of the Kansas City Region since November 2016. LEAVEN FILE PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS

by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In recognition of his dedicated service to the mission and members of the Kansas City Region of the Order of Malta, Father John Riley will be elevated to the rank of magistral chaplain in the Federal Association of the order later this year.

Father Riley has served as associate chaplain of the Kansas City Region since November 2016. He succeeded the late Archbishop James P. Keleher who, because of his hierarchical role, was vested as conventional chaplain “ad honorem” with the Order of Malta. Father Riley, a priest of the archdiocese for 21 years, has served as chancellor for 15 years and also as vicar general for three years. He is parochial administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, Louisburg. 

Doug and Joanna Rivard, co-hospitallers (leaders) of the Kansas City Region Order of Malta, recommended Father Riley’s elevation to the canonically higher rank.

“Father Riley has dutifully served the order in our region that encompasses the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph,” said Doug. “He is highly committed to and very supportive of the spiritual development of our members.”

The process of elevation to the magistral chaplain designation began with the Rivards’ letter requesting consideration of Father Riley for the rank. Affirmation followed by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and  the Order of Malta leadership based in Washington, D.C. Final approval came from the sovereign council of the order in Rome.

With the new title, Father Riley will continue to serve as the principal celebrant of Masses for the order locally. He will also focus on the ongoing spiritual formation of members.

Father Riley will be formally invested as a magistral chaplain in a ceremony in September in Washington. At that time, he will receive the eight-pointed Maltese cross. Following their completion of an 18- to 24-month orientation, new lay members will also be invested into the order during this ceremony.

“I was honored to have succeeded Archbishop Keleher in the chaplain’s role and appreciate the awarding of the honorary rank of magistral chaplain,” Father Riley said. “The Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta model authentic Catholic values through their hands-on volunteer efforts; care and concern for the sick; financial support of charitable works; and their strong commitment to spiritual development. It’s such an honor and a blessing for me to serve as chaplain for such faith-filled men and women who truly live the theological virtue of charity.”

Dating to the 12th century, the Order of Malta is a worldwide lay order within the Catholic Church. The Order of Malta originally established hospitals for pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. Historically, members also were called into action to defend the faith in military battles. Service to the sick and vulnerable, and the defense of the faith have remained charisms of the Order of Malta.

In the Kansas City Region, the order fosters faith and devotion among its members through monthly Masses, retreats and gatherings; hosts public speakers on spiritual topics; hosts a Mass of anointing of the sick annually with bishops and priests of both dioceses; and participates in the sponsorship of local sick persons and their companions for an annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, coordinated nationally by the Order of Malta. Members of the order volunteer with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Kansas City, Missouri; at Shalom House in Kansas City, Kansas; and at St. Mary’s Home for Mothers in Liberty, Missouri.

Today there are over 3,000 Knights and Dames among the three associations of the Order of Malta in the United States. The Kansas City Region has 52 members, 31 of whom are from parishes of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The Rivards are members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood.

For more information about the Order of Malta, send an email to: maltakc@yahoo.com or visit the web site at: www.orderofmaltafederal.org.

About the author

The Leaven

The Leaven is the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

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