Larry Silva, invested as a Member of the Order of Malta in 2025 as part of the Oakland Region, is an award winning portrait and digital artist.  His art is mainly photography and digital with hand embellishments.  His photography and art have been recognized worldwide wide through the Portrait Masters and other art organizations.  The Oakland Region wanted to give the Missionaries of Charity a gift to show their gratitude for allowing them to assist in their beautiful ministry of feeding the hungry and praying with the homeless. To that end, Larry Silva created a beautiful icon of Our Lady of Philermos; it is a custom handmade giclée with gold leaf that was subsequently blessed by Western Association Chaplain Fr. Stephen Barber, SJ.

In turn, on September 26 the framed icon was presented to the Missionaries of Charity in Oakland. Fr. Mario Rizzo and visiting Indian priest Fr. Raj said Holy Mass for the Sisters and Members of the Oakland Region in advance of serving friends, the poor and sick living on the streets of Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond.

“As Charity Coordinator to the Missionaries of Charity, I’m humbled by the joy in which the Knights and Dames serve in those without comfort and it is with humble pride that I can share my love of Christ through my art." - Larry Silva