K.o f C. Staten Island Council #1662
22 Hillside Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10308. Tel. # (718) 317-0343
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The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities. The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 13,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan |
Fr. Michael J. McGivney would be first American-born priest to be declared a saint
New Haven, CT - March 16, 2008 - Pope
Benedict XVI Saturday approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue
of Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. The
pope's declaration significantly advances the priest's process toward
sainthood and gives the parish priest the distinction of "Venerable
Servant of God." If canonized, Fr. McGivney would be the first American
born priest to be so honored.
"All
of us who are members of the Knights of Columbus are profoundly
grateful for this recognition of the holiness of our founder," said
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "The strength of the Knights of Columbus
today is a testament to his timeless vision, his holiness and his
ideals."
Worried
about the religious faith and financial stability of immigrant
families, Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus with the help
of several men of St. Mary's Parish in New Haven in 1882 to help
strengthen the faith of the men of his parish and to provide financial
assistance in the event of their death to the widows and orphans they
left behind. He was also known for his tireless work among his
parishioners.
Born
in Waterbury, Conn., Aug. 12, 1852, Michael Joseph McGivney, was the
first of Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney's 13 children, six of whom
died in infancy or early childhood. His parents, natives of Ireland,
had immigrated to the United States during the 19th century. Patrick
was a molder in a Waterbury brass mill, where Michael himself worked
for a brief time as a child to help support his family.
From
an early age, however, he realized a calling to the Catholic
priesthood. After studying in several seminaries, he was ordained in
that Baltimore's historic Cathedral by Cardinal James Gibbons Dec. 22,
1877. He took up his first assignment, as curate at St. Mary's Church,
New Haven, Conn., Jan. 2, 1878. Father McGivney was named pastor of St.
Thomas Church in Thomaston, Conn. in 1884. He became seriously ill with
pneumonia in January 1890, and died Aug. 14, 1890 at age 38.
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 pope's recent decree,
and the authentication of a miracle at Father McGivney's intercession,
the priest could be beatified. A second miracle would be required for
canonization.