Called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organizations. They sought strength in solidarity and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith. These men we
re bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882. They were Knights of Columbus. Father Michael J. McGivney was an assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church, when he founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882. Father McGivney's holiness, devotion to priestly ministry and work to protect family life provide a powerful spiritual influence for Knights, their family members and a growing number of other Catholics. 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 authentication of a miracle at Father McGivney’s intercession, the priest could be beatified. A second miracle would be required for canonization. On March 15, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Father Michael J. The pope’s declaration significantly advances the priest’s process toward sainthood and gives the parish priest the distinction of "Venerable Servant of God." Learn more about Father Michael J. McGivney at www.fathermcgivney.org.
