New Haven, CT - March 16, 2008 -
Pope Benedict XVI Saturday approved a decree
recognizing the heroic virtue of Father Michael
J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus.
The pope's declaration significantly advances
the priest's process toward sainthood and gives
the parish priest the distinction of "Venerable
Servant of God." If canonized, Fr. McGivney
would be the first American born priest to be so
honored.
"All of us who are members of the Knights of
Columbus are profoundly grateful for this
recognition of the holiness of our founder,"
said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "The strength
of the Knights of Columbus today is a testament
to his timeless vision, his holiness and his
ideals."
Worried about the religious faith and financial
stability of immigrant families, Father McGivney
founded the Knights of Columbus with the help of
several men of St. Mary's Parish in New Haven in
1882 to help strengthen the faith of the men of
his parish and to provide financial assistance
in the event of their death to the widows and
orphans they left behind. He was also known for
his tireless work among his parishioners.
Born in Waterbury, Conn., Aug. 12, 1852, Michael
Joseph McGivney, was the first of Patrick and
Mary (Lynch) McGivney's 13 children, six of whom
died in infancy or early childhood. His parents,
natives of Ireland, had immigrated to the United
States during the 19th century. Patrick was a
molder in a Waterbury brass mill, where Michael
himself worked for a brief time as a child to
help support his family.
From an early age, however, he realized a
calling to the Catholic priesthood. After
studying in several seminaries, he was ordained
in that Baltimore's historic Cathedral by
Cardinal James Gibbons Dec. 22, 1877. He took up
his first assignment, as curate at St. Mary's
Church, New Haven, Conn., Jan. 2, 1878. Father
McGivney was named pastor of St. Thomas Church
in Thomaston, Conn. in 1884. He became seriously
ill with pneumonia in January 1890, and died
Aug. 14, 1890 at age 38.
The cause, or process, for Father McGivney's
sainthood, was opened by Hartford Archbishop
Daniel A. Cronin, in December 1997. The cause
was presented to the Vatican in 2000, where it
has been under review by the Congregation for
the Causes of Saints. With the pope's recent
decree, and the authentication of a miracle at
Father McGivney's intercession, the priest could
be beatified. A second miracle would be required
for canonization.
Still maintaining its headquarters in New Haven,
the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest
Catholic Fraternal Organization with more than
1.7 million members in the United States,
Canada, Mexico and Central America, the
Caribbean islands, the Philippines, Guam and,
most recently, Poland.
Knights of Columbus
