McGivney, Michael Joseph

A Profile of the:
Blessed Reverend Venerable Father
Michael Joseph McGivney

A Brief Biography of Venerable Father Michael Joseph McGivney

Father Michael Joseph McGivney was a Roman Catholic priest and the founder of the Knights of Columbus, an international fraternal organization. He was born on August 12, 1852, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Irish immigrant parents, Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney. McGivney was the eldest of 13 children, six of whom died in infancy or early childhood. The family faced significant financial struggles, which would later shape Father McGivney's dedication to assisting those in need.

Education and Ordination:

McGivney's education began at the local Waterbury district school, but he left school at 13 to work in a brass factory to help support his family. Despite this, he remained committed to pursuing his religious education. In 1868, he entered the Seminary of St. Hyacinthe in Quebec, Canada, and later studied at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1871, he transferred to St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. McGivney was ordained a priest on December 22, 1877, by Archbishop James Gibbons.

Priesthood and Founding of the Knights of Columbus:

Father McGivney's first assignment was as curate at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. He later became the founding pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, Connecticut, in 1884. Throughout his priesthood, he was dedicated to providing for the spiritual and material needs of his parishioners, particularly the working-class Irish Catholic community.

Father McGivney recognized the challenges faced by Catholic families during the late 19th century, including financial instability, anti-Catholic sentiment, and the lack of a support network. To address these issues, he founded the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882. The organization was designed to provide mutual aid, financial assistance, and a sense of community for its members, with a focus on charity, unity, and fraternity. The Knights of Columbus soon grew into an influential and impactful organization, not only in the United States but worldwide.

Historical Impact:

Father Michael McGivney's vision for the Knights of Columbus left a lasting legacy. Today, the organization has more than 2 million members worldwide, making it the world's largest Catholic fraternal service group. The Knights of Columbus has provided billions of dollars in charitable contributions and countless volunteer hours to various causes, including disaster relief, education, healthcare, and support for the Catholic Church.

The organization has played a significant role in shaping the social and religious landscape of the United States and other countries where it operates. It has been instrumental in fighting against religious discrimination and promoting Catholic values in society. Furthermore, the Knights of Columbus has fostered a sense of unity and fraternity among Catholics and has been a vital support network for families and communities.

Death and Beatification:

Father Michael McGivney passed away on August 14, 1890, at the age of 38 after a battle with pneumonia. Over a century later, on March 15, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI declared Father McGivney a "Venerable Servant of God," recognizing his life of "heroic virtue." On October 31, 2020, Father McGivney was beatified by Pope Francis, bringing him one step closer to sainthood. His beatification highlights his extraordinary life and the lasting impact of his work in creating the Knights of Columbus.

Father Michael Joseph McGivney's life and dedication to serving his community, the Catholic Church, and those in need have left a lasting legacy. Through the establishment of the Knights of Columbus, he created an organization that has provided significant social, financial, and spiritual support to millions of people worldwide.

The Vitals

Full Legal Name at Birth: Michael Joseph McGivney
Full Legal Name Now: Venerable Father Michael McGivney
Date of Birth: August 12th, 1852 in Waterbury
Parents: Patrick & Mary (Lynch) McGivney
Heritage: Irish
Ethnicity: Irish-American Waterburian
Date of Death: August 14th, 1890, Thomaston

The Milestones

Beatified: 2020
Venerated: 2008
Founded the Knights of Columbus: 1882
- Which became the largest member organization in the world, save the Catholic Church itself
- and the largest Catholic organization in the world, save, again, the Catholic Church itself
Ordained: 1877

Accomplish-ments

Performed a Miracle
- Curing an unborn child who was afflicted with incurable and deadly fetal hydrops
- The cure, after long and careful investigation, was declared by Pope Francis.
Also see Milestones above.

Memorial-ization

Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in Ontario
McGivney Hall of the Catholic University of America
Father Michael Joseph McGivney monument in Saint Peter & Saint Paul Parish Church, Philippines
Father McGivney Catholic High School in Glen Carbon, Illinois
Reverend Michael Joseph McGivney Statue, Waterbury, Connecticut