Our Founder: Father McGivney

Father Michael J. McGivney was a 29-year-old assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., when he founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882. Father McGivney’s holiness, devotion to priestly ministry and work to protect family life provide a powerful spiritual influence for Knights, their family members and a growing number of other Catholics.

Father McGivney’s cause for canonization was opened in 1997 by then Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin of Hartford, Conn. Its diocesan phase has been completed. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican is currently reviewing Father McGivney’s life and works and investigating two reported miracles attributed to his intercession.

The Knights of Columbus has established the Father Michael J. McGivney Guild to provide people with information about his life, works and spirituality. If you are interested in joining the Father McGivney Guild, please visit the Father McGivney Web site.

For information about the Father Michael J. McGivney Guild and Father McGivney’s spiritual influence, faith, legacy, life and cause for canonization visit the Father McGivney Web site.