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The Knights of Columbus was
founded in 1882 by a 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J.
McGivney, in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven,
Connecticut. Today, more than a century later, the Knights of Columbus
has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church.
The Order has been called "the strong
right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and
other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of
evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to
those in need. As recently as 1992, Mother Teresa of Calcutta praised
the Knights in a speech on the occasion of her reception of the first
Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award.
Thanks to the inspired work of Father McGivney” as well as that of millions of other Knights over the past
century”the Knights of Columbus now stands at its pinnacle of
membership, benefits and service. Currently, there are over 1.6 million
Knights of Columbus”more than ever before in our Order's history.
Together with their families, the Knights are nearly 6 million strong.
In addition, from the first local council in New Haven, the Order has
grown to more than 13,000 councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico,
the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the
Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Each year, the Order
continues this strong growth.
Vatican
declares Knights of Columbus founder "venerable" Fr. Michael J. McGivney
would be first American-born priest to be declared a saint
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.
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