Just Call Him “Sir” Peter

Inner Harmony founder inducted into the The Soverereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John


Peter Amato, founder and president of Inner Harmony Wellness Centers, was knighted into The Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem in a ceremony in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sunday, Jan. 18. The investiture was held in Brophy Chapel and conducted by His Excellency, the Honorable Professor Charles McWilliams, Grand Master of the Sovereign Medical Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem.

The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem -- or Order of St John -- is a British-based royal order of chivalry, and is found throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, the United States of America and Hong Kong. Nearly one thousand years of history makes the original religious Order of St. John, one of the oldest charitable organizations in the world today. The organization’s symbol, the Maltese Cross, originated with the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, who became known as the Knights Hospitallers because of their care of the sick and poor. These knights of centuries past were united by a pledge of compassion and courage.

Membership of the order is by invitation only, and individuals may not petition for admission. According to the Order of Saint John, Mr. Amato’s induction into knighthood grants him an international status of sovereignty as a world citizen among the Soldiers of Charity.

“When you combine your talents as healer with the power of Knighthood, your potential will open doors you have never dreamed,” Grand Master Dr. Charles McWilliams wrote to Mr. Amato in his notification letter.

A native of Northeastern Pennsylvania and a current resident of Waverly and St. Martin, Mr. Amato was best known in his earlier years as one of the family members that owned and operated the A & A Auto Store chains. He and his siblings also founded Keystone Automotive, a global automotive distribution company.

In 1997, Mr. Amato founded Inner Harmony Wellness Center, which focuses on integrative and holistic medicine and offers a wide range of wellness and clinical services designed to enhance health, healing and well-being including acupuncture, energy medicine, massage therapy, meditation and yoga. The Inner Harmony Scranton office is located in Mercy Hospital’s General Services Building on Jefferson Avenue.

Mr. Amato is currently opening another Inner Harmony Wellness Center locale on the Caribbean island of St. Martin, where he lives for five months out of the year.