Michael Mcgeivney Biography Essay
Fr. Michael McGivney was born on August 12, 1852 in Waterbury, Connecticut. His parents, Patrick and Mary McGivney, were immigrants who participated in the great wave of Irish immigration to the United States. Mary McGivney gave birth to thirteen children, almost half of whom died in infancy or early childhood. Michael was the oldest and went to the small district schools of Waterbury’s working-class neighborhoods. A well-behaved child and a good student, he was admired by his school principal for “excellent deportment and proficiency in his studies.” Michael was known for his charity and humility, often volunteering his free time to the service of his parish in Waterbury. As the eldest, Michael was called from an early age to work and provide
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McGivney cared for his parish in New Haven during a time when it was tremendously difficult to live as a Catholic in United States. In late 19th century Connecticut, fraternal benefit societies became increasingly popular and were enthralling the faithful away from the Church, Catholic immigrants was discriminated against and the death of fathers meant the almost certain ruin of Catholic families. Recognizing a vital, practical need in his community, Fr. Michael J. McGivney gathered a group of men at his parish on October 2nd, 1881. He proposed establishing an organization of laymen, the goal of which was to prevent Catholic men from entering secret societies which contradicted Church teaching, to unify men of the Catholic faith and to provide for the families of deceased members. Fr. McGivney’s ambitious proposal was greatly successful and adopted the name Knights of Columbus. By the grace of God, membership into the organization spread like wild fire, drawing men from all over the state. The Knights revitalized the community’s virtuous service to the Church, each other, and the family. Fr. McGivney’s great vision foresaw and preceded the Second Vatican’s Council proclamation of the “Universal Call to Holiness” which encouraged the empowerment of laypersons to take leadership positions in the
McGivney cared for his parish in New Haven during a time when it was tremendously difficult to live as a Catholic in United States. In late 19th century Connecticut, fraternal benefit societies became increasingly popular and were enthralling the faithful away from the Church, Catholic immigrants was discriminated against and the death of fathers meant the almost certain ruin of Catholic families. Recognizing a vital, practical need in his community, Fr. Michael J. McGivney gathered a group of men at his parish on October 2nd, 1881. He proposed establishing an organization of laymen, the goal of which was to prevent Catholic men from entering secret societies which contradicted Church teaching, to unify men of the Catholic faith and to provide for the families of deceased members. Fr. McGivney’s ambitious proposal was greatly successful and adopted the name Knights of Columbus. By the grace of God, membership into the organization spread like wild fire, drawing men from all over the state. The Knights revitalized the community’s virtuous service to the Church, each other, and the family. Fr. McGivney’s great vision foresaw and preceded the Second Vatican’s Council proclamation of the “Universal Call to Holiness” which encouraged the empowerment of laypersons to take leadership positions in the