One hundred and thirty seven years ago on March 29, 1882 Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus by establishing the first Council in New Haven, Connecticut. Fr. McGivney was a simple associate pastor at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven at that time. He saw the plights and challenges of Catholics, Irish immigrants, and the poor. It weighed heavy on him.
Fr. McGivney knew he had to do something and there had to be other Catholics in his own Parish who felt the same way. On this day in the Church basement Fr. McGivney gathered a small group of like-minded Catholic men to start the Knights of Columbus. We proudly call this day “Founder’s Day” in his honor and to remember why the Knights are so important to our Parishes and communities around the world– they are the fraternal laity and religious who swear to serve all in the world and to serve our Lord Jesus Christ faithfully.
You can find out more about Fr. McGivney at the Guild of Father McGivney here. You do not have to be a Knight of Columbus to join the Guild. The Guild supports the sainthood petition and the work required to have Venerable Fr. McGivney granted sainthood by crusading the cause through documentation of favors granted and intercessions made from praying to Fr. McGivney for his intercession on their behalf for various needs from the Lord. It is a wonderful Ministry and a great way to increase your prayer life with the Lord. You can find an article about praying for intercession from Fr. McGivney on the Knights of Columbus web site here.
Here are ten facts you may not know about Fr. McGivney from the Knights of Columbus web site (found here):
1.) Not only Catholics, but even Protestants were inspired by Father McGivney’s witness of faith. Alida Harwood, the daughter of a prominent Episcopal minister in New Haven, frequented Mass at St. Mary’s Church where Father McGivney served. When Alida contracted malaria at the age of 25 and lay on her death bed, it was Father McGivney that she asked to see.
2.) He was a heck of a baseball player. We know that in one game with his seminary team he scored three runs, contributing to a big victory with a score of 23-6. He paved the way for a long history of baseball players who would join the Knights, including these MLB legends.
3.) More forward-thinking than Yale? Father McGivney pushed the boundaries as a theater director. At a time when, according to Parish Priest, nearby Yale University was limiting theater to only male actors, Father McGivney welcomed women to perform when he directed his parish’s St. Patrick’s Day play in 1880.
4.) He helped young people take charge of their lives and create a better future. Father McGivney saw that many young men were neglecting their religion and turning to alcohol abuse. In response, he founded St. Joseph’s Total Abstinence and Literary Society, a group that helped young men stay strong in the faith and become active in their communities. They organized and participated in sports and theatrical productions. McGivney offered members a meeting space with books, magazines, newspapers and a piano. No doubt, Father McGivney’s experience with this group prepared him when he later founded the Knights of Columbus.
5.) His vision for the role of the laity was very unusual for the time. Seventy-seven years ahead of the Second Vatican Council, the idea that a Catholic organization could be led by laymen was quite extraordinary. Yet that was Father McGivney’s vision for the Knights of Columbus.
6.) He ministered to inmates. Father McGivney was responsible for ministering to inmates in the city jail. One inmate was 21-year-old Chip Smith, who — while drunk — shot and killed a police officer. Smith was convicted for first-degree murder and sentenced to be hanged. Father McGivney visited him daily, and, on the day of Smith’s execution, the priest was filled with sorrow. Just before he died, Smith comforted him: “Father, your saintly ministrations have enabled me to meet death without a tremor. Do not fear for me, I must not break down now.”
7.) He was only 38 years old when he died. And that’s actually not surprising — life expectancy was short for priests in Connecticut in the 19th century, when the Catholic population was growing, disease was common and the priests were overworked.
8.) He’s on the path to sainthood. His cause for canonization is open, and he was given the title “Venerable Servant of God” by the Holy See in 2008. You can help promote devotion to this Servant of God — click here to join the Father McGivney Guild.
9.) His belongings were burned when he died. When Father McGivney died of tuberculosis, his personal items were burned to prevent the spreading of the disease. Only a small number of his writings and belongings survived.
10.) He is known to intercede especially in four areas (from Columbia magazine):
•Employment and finances. Just as parishioners looked to Father McGivney for help when “No Irish need apply” was often included in job postings, so today many receive help when they are laid off or seeking a better job.
•Substance abuse. In Father McGivney’s day, alcoholism afflicted the immigrant population, and many now find relief from drug or alcohol abuse after praying to him.
•Family reconciliation. Father McGivney helped immigrant families struggling to stay together and to make ends meet. Today, Father McGivney continues to respond to the prayers of families.
•Return to the faith. Father McGivney founded the Order to keep men from joining anti-Catholic societies. Today, many Catholics receive favors when calling upon him to help their fallen-away children return to Mass.
Fr. McGivney’s example of faith to Christ and selfless service to community is not some unreachable goal. It is a very real thing we are all capable. We need to just dedicate the time, no matter how small, to doing that work in our Parish Community and preaching our Faith. Do you have a a feeling of greater call to service above self to your community and to the Church? Do you want to help others out even if it is just an hour or two of volunteer work a year? Are you a Catholic gentleman age eighteen or older in union with the Holy See? Can you spare some time to help those out in need and make an impact on the lives of those who are both near and far? If so you can join the Knights of Columbus today through our online web site here.
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