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Greater Cincinnati Chapter Knights can become members of Father McGivney Guild

The Order of the Knights of Columbus has established the Father McGivney Guild to promote the cause for canonization of our founder, Fr. Michael J. McGivney.

The goal of the Guild is to spread the good word about his holiness of life, to encourage devotion to his memory, and to seek his intercession before the throne of God. The Guild serves as a clearinghouse for information about Fr'. McGivney, his life and works, and any favors attributed to his intercession.

Fr. McGivney is a unique model for today's Catholic and today's Catholic priest because of his attention to ithe social ills and injustices of his day and his collaboration with the laity. He was zealous for the life of union with God through prayer and the sacraments, and he would have been right at home in today's world. He was then and would be today an eager apostle for the Gospel of life, and a determined foe of the culture of death.

Membership in the Guild is open to anyone who wishes to share in this mission of making known the life and work of Fr. McGivney and of encouraging devotion to his memory. All one need do is fill out the application below and mail it in to become enrolled. There is no charge to enroll, but donations are accepted.

The Guild is anxious to receive reports of favors received through Fr. McGivney's intercession. It is not only miracles that are required to move the cause forward, but witnesses to the power of the servant of God's prayers before the throne of God.

Members of the Guild receive a newsletter and periodic updates on the progress of the cause for canonication.

Reprinted with the permission of Fr. Gabrielle B. O'Donnell, O.P., Postulator for the Cause of father McGivney, and Director of the Father McGivney Guild.

In a recent conversation with Susan Brosnan, archivist for the Knights of Columbus here in New Haven, Conn., the subject of Father McGivney's letters came up. Sue has diligently searched the Connecticut State Archives for information about the McGivney family and anything related to Fr. Michael. She suggested looking at his letters, the only surviving documents from his own hand, as a source of information and inspiration. There are 13 letters preserved in all. They offer insights into the mind and heart of the servant of God and members of the Guild will catch a glimpse of Father McGivney's inner life as well as his personal charm.

It is not surprising that most of these letters are concerned with the founding of the Knights of Columbus and the struggles entailed in convincing priest and laity of the importance of this new Catholic brotherhood. A couple are but brief notes addressed to William Geary, of the founding members of the Knights, about practical matters.

Three of the letters are recommendations for candidates for the priesthood and religious life. The current commitment of the Knights to fostering vocations is a continuation of Father McGivney's own efforts.

An overview of these pages reveals a man who is always aware of others and their needs. He is at once idealistic and practical. Father McGivney was a priest who presumed that the role of the laity was central to the life and mission of the Church. Before all else he was a parish priest. Only in the context of his vocation as shepherd of souls can we understand his role as founder of a society destined to become the largest organization for Catholic men in the world. His sensitive nature alerted him to the needs of others and fashioned a spirit of selfless service that is reflected in the earliest of his letters.