by Andrew Koslosky KGCHS, Contributing Writer
Today we will talk about one of the most influential Catholic Priests in the history of the modern church and his legacy as one of the true influencers of history. In an era marked by social upheaval, anti-Catholic prejudice, and the desperate needs of immigrant communities, a young parish priest named Michael Joseph McGivney rose to meet the challenges of his time with humility, spiritual wisdom, and groundbreaking innovation.
Born to Irish immigrants and raised amid poverty, McGivney not only lived the Gospel through selfless service but also pioneered one of the most influential Catholic organizations in modern history, The Knights of Columbus. This week we celebrate the Birthday of Fr. McGivney on August 12, his feast day on August 13, and the Anniversary of his passing on August 14.
Blessed Michael J. McGivney’s life spanned only 38 years (1852–1890), yet in that short time, he left behind an amazing legacy of fraternal aid, charitable outreach, and lay person empowerment in the Church. Beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis, McGivney stands today as a model for clergy and laity alike—someone who saw the Church not as an institution apart from the people, but as the Body of Christ moving with and for the people.
His story is as relevant now as ever. As defined by the Roman Catholic Church, Beatification, is the official act of the pope whereby a deceased person is, after investigation and a confirmed miracle in this person’s name, declared to be enjoying the happiness of heaven, and therefore a proper subject of religious honor, thus deserving of public veneration. It is the second step in the process of canonization, preceding sainthood.
Michael Joseph McGivney was born on August 12, 1852, in Waterbury, Connecticut. He was the eldest of thirteen children born to Patrick and Mary McGivney, both immigrants from Ireland. Like many Irish American families of the mid-19th century, the McGivneys lived in modest circumstances, often struggling with finances. Six of the thirteen children died in infancy or early childhood, a tragically common fate in overcrowded industrial towns.
Michael’s father worked in the brass mills of Waterbury, a grueling occupation that paid very little. As a boy, Michael saw firsthand the harsh consequences of illness, injury, and poverty, particularly the way a family could be upended by the death of a breadwinner. Despite these hardships, the McGivneys were devout Catholics.
The family found strength in the Church, and young Michael was drawn to the priesthood early. He attended school locally until the age of 13, when he left to work in a spoon factory to help support his family. The call to priesthood remained strong and, at 16, he entered the seminary at Our Lady of Angels in Niagara Falls, New York. His seminary journey included study at St. Hyacinthe College in Quebec, the College of St. Mary’s in Montreal, and finally, St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore.
However, tragedy struck again when his father died in 1873. Michael was forced to return home, delaying his ordination. The family needed him, and his willingness to sacrifice his studies to support them is one of the earliest signs of his selfless nature.
Eventually, with the help of local clergy and friends, he was able to resume his studies and was ordained to the priesthood on December 22, 1877, by Archbishop (later Cardinal) James Gibbons of Baltimore.
Father McGivney’s first and most notable assignment was as curate at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut. The parish was one of the oldest and most prominent in the state, serving a large and growing population of Catholic immigrants, primarily Irish laborers and their families. New Haven in the 1880s was a city in transition. Industrialization brought jobs, but also economic instability, class division, and waves of anti Catholic and anti-immigrant sentiment.
Catholics were often viewed with suspicion, especially by Protestant elites, and Catholic families frequently struggled to maintain dignity and stability in the face of discrimination. Fr. McGivney quickly distinguished himself as a tireless servant of his parishioners. He visited the sick, consoled the grieving, mentored the youth, and preached with both moral clarity and deep compassion. He was particularly concerned with the challenges faced by widows and orphans.
In the absence of social safety nets or insurance policies, the death of a husband could plunge a family into serious trouble.
One of the most pivotal moments in his ministry came when a local man died unexpectedly, leaving behind a widow and several children. The state threatened to take custody of the children due to the family’s financial instability.
Father McGivney, unwilling to see this family torn apart, stepped in to advocate for them securing the financial and moral support they needed to stay together. It was this and similar experiences that created his desire to create a fraternal organization rooted in faith and mutual support.
The idea for the Knights of Columbus was born from necessity and inspired by faith. Protestant fraternal benefit societies such as the Masons, Odd Fellows, and others were popular in McGivney’s day and offered financial protection to members’ families. However, these groups were often hostile to Catholic teaching and barred Catholics from membership.
McGivney envisioned a unique Catholic alternative, an organization that would provide spiritual fellowship, financial protection for widows and orphans, and a means of uniting men in service to their Church and community. Importantly, McGivney believed that lay people had a crucial role to play in the mission of the Church.
Of course this was not an easy concept to sell as it was considered a radical idea in an era when most decision-making power was held by clergy and bishops. However, with permission from Bishop Lawrence McMahon of Hartford, Father McGivney gathered a group of men from St. Mary’s parish in 1882. On March 29 of that year, the Knights of Columbus was officially founded.
The organization was named in honor of Christopher Columbus, a Catholic figure who McGivney believed symbolized faith, courage, and the Catholic contribution to American history. The Knights were built on four core principles, namely Charity: The foremost virtue, and the heart of the Gospel, Unity: Standing together in faith and purpose, Fraternity: Building bonds of brotherhood to support one another, and Patriotism: Loyalty to country, lived out through civic engagement and moral citizenship.
He wisely designed the Knights so that laymen would govern it, with him serving as chaplain rather than president. This structure empowered ordinary Catholic men to take responsibility for the financial and spiritual well-being of their communities.
The response was immediate and enthusiastic. Councils began forming across Connecticut and eventually throughout the United States. The Knights of Columbus quickly became one of the fastest-growing Catholic organizations in the country.
In the decades following McGivney’s death, the Knights of Columbus expanded rapidly. By the early 20th century, it had become an international organization with councils in Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest lay Catholic organization, with more than 2 million members while approaching well over 15 thousand councils worldwide. It’s amazing when you think about it.
Charity remains the defining characteristic of the Knights of Columbus. Every year, the organization donates millions of dollars and volunteer hours to local, national, and global causes.
Projects include Disaster relief, Support for people with disabilities, Food drives and soup kitchens, support for the homeless, support to help mothers in need, Medical and financial aid for veterans, Toys and Coats for Tots programs, Scholarships and youth mentoring and of course, support to local Parishes. These are things you have all heard before, but there is more.
One of the most impactful recent initiatives has been the donation of ultrasound machines to pregnancy resource centers across the U.S. This effort has saved countless unborn lives and provided critical support to mothers in need.
Internationally, the Knights have been active in war zones, refugee camps, and disaster-stricken regions. In Iraq, they built McGivney House to shelter Christian families displaced by ISIS violence. They’ve sent aid to Ukraine, the Philippines, and Africa, showing that their founder’s vision of charity has global reach.
Father Michael McGivney died on August 14, 1890, just two days after his 38th birthday, during an influenza outbreak. His early death shocked his parishioners and fellow Knights. Though young, his legacy was already firmly rooted in the flourishing organization he had founded.
In 1996, the Archdiocese of Hartford officially opened the cause for his canonization. In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI declared him “Venerable,” recognizing his life of heroic virtue. The miracle needed for his beatification was approved in 2020. It involved the healing of an unborn child, Michael Schachle, diagnosed with fetal hydrops and Down syndrome.
His parents, Daniel and Michelle Schachle, prayed for Fr. McGivney’s intercession. Against all odds, the boy was born healthy and survived a medically inexplicable outcome. On October 31, 2020, Father Michael J. McGivney was beatified in a ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut.
His life also holds up a bold vision of what parish ministry can be. He did not see himself merely as a sacramental functionary, but as a shepherd deeply embedded in the everyday lives of his flock. His hands were never far from the work of mercy.
In an age when many question the Church’s relevance, McGivney reminds us that the Gospel becomes real when it touches broken lives with hope, dignity, and community.
Father McGivney was not a bishop, theologian, or founder of a religious order. He was a parish priest, a simple man with a vision. But he recognized something very important, faith must be lived through action, and that the Church must walk with people where they are.
Through the Knights of Columbus, he created a space for lay Catholic men to grow in virtue, support one another, and serve those in need. His example continues to challenge and inspire, offering a blueprint for compassionate leadership and transformative service.
Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney’s story is far from over. With the cause for his canonization ongoing, and millions continuing his mission, his impact echoes through generations.
In every act of charity performed by a Knight, in every family lifted by hope, and in every parish renewed by faithful service, the spirit of this humble priest lives on. We here in Pass Christian have present an amazing Chapter that is engaged in every single charitable event in the community.
They can be seen whenever there is a need in the community. I would encourage you today take part in this ministry. Ladies there is a place for you at the table with the Knight’s Ladies Auxiliary.
Come do something good for yourselves…yes for yourselves. The feeling you get when you are able to contribute to a community with service is unlike anything else you will experience.
If you are interested, you can email me at andrewkoslosky@gmail.com. In the name of Bless Fr. Michael J. McGivney, Peace to you and your families until next week…
