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.