K of C founder's sainthood cause takes a step forwardPope Benedict approves 'heroic virtues' of Fr. Michael McGivney
By JOHN THAVIS
Catholic News Service
The sainthood cause of the founder of the Knights of Columbus has taken a step forward. On March 15, Pope Benedict approved a decree of "heroic virtues" for Father Michael McGivney, a U.S. priest who, after establishing the Knights of Columbus, worked as a pastor until his death at age 38. McGivney can be beatified if a miracle is attributed to his intercession. Canonization - a declaration of sainthood - requires an additional miracle. Supporters of McGivney's cause are hoping he will be the first U.S.-born priest to be canonized. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Conn., in 1882. The fraternal order for Catholic men has become the largest lay Catholic organization in the world, with more than 1.7 million members, sponsoring a wide range of educational, charitable and religious activities. He founded the Knights of Columbus with a small group of Catholic laymen, in order to strengthen religious faith and to help families overwhelmed by the illness or death of their breadwinner. In 1884 he was named pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, a factory town about 15 km from Waterbury. He fell ill during an influenza epidemic and died Aug. 14, 1890, probably from complications of pneumonia and tuberculosis. He also studied at Our Lady of Angels Seminary, attached to Niagara University in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and at the Jesuit-run St. Mary's College in Montreal.
The sainthood cause of the founder of the Knights of Columbus has taken a step forward. On March 15, Pope Benedict approved a decree of "heroic virtues" for Father Michael McGivney, a U.S. priest who, after establishing the Knights of Columbus, worked as a pastor until his death at age 38. McGivney can be beatified if a miracle is attributed to his intercession. Canonization - a declaration of sainthood - requires an additional miracle. Supporters of McGivney's cause are hoping he will be the first U.S.-born priest to be canonized. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Conn., in 1882. The fraternal order for Catholic men has become the largest lay Catholic organization in the world, with more than 1.7 million members, sponsoring a wide range of educational, charitable and religious activities. He founded the Knights of Columbus with a small group of Catholic laymen, in order to strengthen religious faith and to help families overwhelmed by the illness or death of their breadwinner. In 1884 he was named pastor of St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, a factory town about 15 km from Waterbury. He fell ill during an influenza epidemic and died Aug. 14, 1890, probably from complications of pneumonia and tuberculosis. He also studied at Our Lady of Angels Seminary, attached to Niagara University in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and at the Jesuit-run St. Mary's College in Montreal.
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