Father Michael McGivney: Founder of the Knights of Columbus

The child of Irish immigrants, Father Michael McGivney, a 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Conn., founded the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal organization for Catholic men. The year was 1882 and hostility toward Catholics at that time was high. His goal was to strengthen the faith of men and their families while also providing financial protection for these families should the father die. A little more than a month after founding the Knights, Father McGivney sent a diocesan-wide appeal to priests to help recruit new members.

The Order's founding principles were unity and charity. The principles of fraternity and patriotism were added later., in 1885 and 1900, respectively. 

Father McGivney died in August 1890 after falling ill with tuberculosis and fighting a severe case of pneumonia. He was just 38 years old. While Father McGivney suffered an untimely demise, the legacy of the Knights of Columbus and his good deeds live on today. In May 2020, Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Father McGivney. A beatification ceremony for Father McGivney was held October 2020 in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn.

To learn more about Father McGivney's life, watch the video below, Father Michael McGivney: An American Blessed.