Posted on 03/15/2008 3:19:33 PM PDT by markomalley
Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday set the founder of the Knights of Columbus, one of the world's largest lay Catholic groups, on the path to possible beatification and sainthood, the Vatican said.
The pope recognized the "heroic virtues" of the Rev. Michael J. McGivney, who in 1882 created a fraternal society for Catholic men who suffered discrimination because of their religion and immigrant origins.
A miracle performed through McGivney's intercession must be certified by the Vatican before beatification, which is the last formal step before the sainthood process can begin.
McGivney was a 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Conn., when he founded the group, which now has 1.7 million members and in 2006 collected nearly $144 million in contributions for charity.
The organization's 1.7 million members are in countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Poland and the Philippines.
Its charitable work includes substantial support for the Vatican. The group funded the restoration of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica during the 1980s, and annually underwrites the cost of satellite TV broadcasts of liturgical celebrations from Vatican City, including the Christmas midnight Mass.
The organization has also established a $20 million endowment called the Vicarius Christi Fund, whose annual proceeds are provided to the pope in support of his charitable initiatives.
McGivney was born in 1852 to Irish immigrants in Waterbury, north of New Haven. He died of pneumonia at age 38.
The effort to canonize him was opened in 1997. That process received important support last year, when the Vatican's No. 2 official, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, celebrated Mass at the Knights of Columbus annual meeting in Tennessee and said he would work to have the priest declared a saint.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
So does this mean he’s now “the Venerable Servant of God, Father McGivney”?
Thank you for this thread, too.
I forget whether anyone is still keeping the Knights of Columbus list. I'll ping a few folks who may know.
Vivat Jesus!
sitetest
Is anyone still keeping the Knights of Columbus list?
This is good news.
If there is on one please put me on it. I just joined the Knights 2 weeks ago
Welcome Brother!
Where are located?
Welcome aboard, brother.
Thank you
Where are located?
Council 670 Staunton Va., Just moved into the area, and was approached to join after about 2 months. Lived in my previous parish for over seven years and no one asked me. Was equally involved in that one as well.
See post 7!
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