Brother Elzear Council 5202
Knights of Columbus
Saint
Mary’s University of Minnesota
700
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Ladies
Auxiliary
Past Grand
Knights
Father
McGivney
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Fund
Father Michael J. McGivney, Founder of the Knights of Columbus
On
Oct. 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary's
Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. 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 organization. They sought strength in
solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy
cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and
their faith. These men were 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. McGivney. The pope’s declaration
significantly advances the priest’s process toward sainthood and gives
the parish priest the distinction of "Venerable Servant of God."
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Prayer for the Canonization |
God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (here make your request). Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. |
Learn more about Father Michael J. McGivney at
http://www.fathermcgivney.org.
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