When I went to Cumberland, Rhode Island back in June of this year for a mission appeal, I intentionally flew into the Providence airport a day early so that I would be able to visit the Blessed Michael McGivney shrine and museum in New Haven, Connecticut. Michael McGivney, whose feast day we celebrate today, was born in 1852 in Westbury, Connecticut to Irish immigrants. The oldest of 13 children, 6 of whom died in infancy or childhood, he himself left school at the age of 13 to work in order to support his family. He entered the seminary at the age of 16, but interrupted his seminary studies to return home at the death of father for a time. He was ordained as a Diocesan priest in 1877. Based on his own family’s experience and the experiences of other poor families who struggled when the father died or was injured, often leaving the family destitute or the children orphaned, he and his parishioners founded the Knights of Columbus. The Knights were a fraternal aide society that reached out and helped these families. Working tirelessly as a priest with his parishioners and the Knights, McGivney died at the age of 38 from pneumonia. He was beatified at the cathedral of St Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut in 2020 by Cardinal Jospeh Tobin of Newark on behalf of Pope Francis. Having been born on August 12, 1852 and died on August 14, 1890, the day in between, was chosen for his feast day. I really enjoyed going to the Knights museum, to see exhibits about Father McGivney and his life, and to appreciate his legacy. I have been active in Knights groups as a priest, being a 4th degree Knight myself. I am proud to be a part of that organization.
Our psalm states today: Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire! I appreciate the fire that burned in the heart of Father McGivney in his love of God and his love of the people of God. May all of us cultivate that same fire and enthusiasm for the faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment