Father Michael McGivney
Father Michael McGivney was a young Irish American priest who lived in the second half of the 19th Century and created the Knights of Columbus. He was born in Waterbury Connecticut of Irish immigrant parents and he lived from 1852 to 1890. Like many priests of his day, he worked tirelessly for his flock and died at a young age. More than anything else, McGivney was a parish priest who saw problems and set out with endless enthusiasm to do something about them. His parents, Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney, had 12 children, seven of whom survived with Michael. Two of Michael’s younger brothers followed him into the priesthood.
Fraternal Organizations
In the post Civil War Era, industrialization was leading to a more secure although austere life for Americans of all faiths. Men suddenly found themselves in completely different lifestyles than their fathers who had been adventurous immigrants and pioneers. The struggle to survive independently by one’s own wits and strength had been replaced by a life greatly influenced by business and industry. In addition to huge changes in how people made their living, many men who had fought in the Civil War were also feeling a loss of brotherhood with their comrades in arms. These men felt like they were losing their identity.
Men began to join fraternal organizations to foster a sense of belonging. Catholics who were still not welcome in many American social settings, joined some of these organizations, but many in the Church, Father McGivney included, were opposed to Catholics joining these groups. Some were concerned about how Catholic men would be received in these organizations, but many more were concerned with how such societies might affect new Catholics members relationship with the Catholic Church. Often, these societies had some type of chivalrous foundation, but they also had secret initiation rites and rituals, which gave them the feel of religious organizations. It was easy to see how these groups were perceived as a threat to Catholicism at the time. Some church leaders went as far as to forbid membership in such organizations.
Need for More than Just a Club
During the period in which Father McGivney lived, there was considerable prejudice against Irish Catholics as they had immigrated en masse in the mid 1800’s due in large part to the potato famine in Ireland. Of course, regardless of how tough life was in the United States, the Irish immigrants considered it far more promising than the starvation they were leaving. Unfortunately, as new Irish families were established in the United States, many fathers would work themselves into an early grave with catastrophic results for their spouses and children.
Alcoholism was another problem especially in Catholic immigrant communities. To fight alcoholism, organizations called total abstinence clubs (TA’s) were formed to support and encourage men who had “taken the pledge” against alcoholic consumption. These clubs were simple parish organizations that were familiar to most Irish Catholics at the time. Many of the parishes in McGivney’s Diocese had such clubs including Father McGivney’s parish, Saint Mary’s church in New Haven. In fact, Saint Mary’s had one of the largest and most active Total Abstinence clubs in the diocese. Some TAs were also benevolent societies providing a low-grade insurance plan, but they were essentially clubs for young people. They offered some activities that attracted members and offered some entertainment as well. McGivney’s Total Abstinence and Literary club was known for putting on successful theatricals that gave the club a remarkable vitality and energy. Their popularity helped attract young people who otherwise were leaving the church in large number. McGivney’s theatricals also helped raise needed funds for the church.
A Catholic Fraternal Organization
As a priest and problem-solver, McGivney began applying what he already knew about organizing and planning to create a new Catholic fraternal organization that would offer a substantial benefit to its members who became ill or died. It would take a few years, working through some resistance and inertia, but in time, Father McGivney established the Knights of Columbus. He had substantial help from a group of laymen friends.
Today the Knights organization remains the foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society helping families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs. However, in most parishes today, the Knights are better known as a service organization providing needed support and services to the church. The Knights of Columbus has over 13,000 Councils and 1.7 million members.
The Compassionate McGivney
The founding of the Knights of Columbus is the highlight of McGivney’s life of service, but it does not capture the essence of the man. McGivney was compassionate and dedicated to serving his people and making a difference in the lives of individuals.
In one high-profile case, McGivney went out of his way to offer spiritual guidance to one of the biggest outcasts in the community, a condemned killer. In a drunk and disorderly state, Chip Smith and Ansonia Connecticut’s Chief of Police, Daniel J. Hayes, fought over a gun in Smith’s possession. The fight resulted in a fatal stomach wound to Hayes. Smith was condemned to die for the crime. Father McGivney found time to minister to Smith visiting him frequently while he was in prison. Through McGivney’s ministries and the grace of God, Smith was able to face his fate with courage and a newfound faith that inspired the community.
Another story surrounding Father McGivney’s work relates the struggles of one of New Haven’s prominent Protestant families. In New Haven, one of McGivney’s first assignments, there lived a prominent protestant family including father, mother and two daughters. The father was Reverend Edwin Harwood of Trinity Episcopal Church. Reverend Harwood was founder of the Protestant Episcopal Church Congress, an annual meeting of Episcopal Clergymen from throughout the country. Naturally, the daughters were expected to follow the religious course set out for them by their father. However, the youngest daughter, Alida, became fascinated in the Catholic Church. After a number of clandestine church visits to Father McGivney’s Saint Mary’s, she converted and openly attended mass. Understandably, Reverend Harwood was unhappy with this development and probably found it an embarrassment because of his leading position.
Later, when Alida announced her plans to become a Catholic Nun, Reverend Harwood put his foot down and sent her and her sister, Honora, off to Europe with their mother. Upon their return, the family’s conflicts seemed to ebb and their attention turned to Honora who became engaged to a man that her father approved. Unfortunately, Alida became ill with Malaria, which was sometimes contracted in hot humid summers in New England at that time. For a while, Alida was well enough to help plan Honora’s wedding. But once again, the family faced another crisis when Honora abruptly changed her mind about her choice of spouses and eloped to Europe with a former beau.
The parents were distraught, but the scandal proved to be especially harmful to Alida’s health. Tragically, she fell gravely ill and asked her parents to seek out Father McGivney to give her the last rights. As her parents considered her request, Alida passed away. Alida’s body was laid out at the Harwood home while her parents tried to deal with the loss and wrestle with the girl’s final wishes for a Catholic funeral. Finally, McGivney was called in and he discussed the daughter’s wishes with her parents. Father Michael suggested that there was no reason why the daughter should not have both a Catholic and Episcopal service. He came back the next day and performed the Catholic rite in private before the casket was taken down to Trinity Church for the Episcopal services that were so important to the father and mother.
Overworked Priest
We may think of priest shortages as a recent phenomenon, but during the period in which Father McGivney served, there was also an acute shortage and many priests were dangerously overworked. As Father Michael continued his selfless quest to advance the Knights of Columbus and serve as parish priest, he experienced bouts of poor health that eventually led to tragic consequences. Exhausted from his relentless efforts, Father Michael contracted a flu that was followed by pneumonia. Just two days after his 38th birthday, he died on August 14, 1890.
Although he lived a short life, Father McGivney is a candidate for canonization. Hartford Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin opened the process for Father McGivney’s sainthood, in December 1997. The cause was presented to the Vatican in 2000, where it has been under review by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints who began examining Father McGivney’s life and possible miracles that might be attributed to him. Recently, Pope Benedict XVI approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Father Michael. This declaration advances the priest’s process toward sainthood and gives the parish priest the distinction of “Venerable Servant of God.” With the authentication of a miracle at Father McGivney’s intercession, the priest could be beatified. A second miracle would be required for canonization. If canonized, Father McGivney would be the first American born priest to be so honored.
Father McGivney’s legacy is the Knights of Columbus, but his influence may still increase in time. His success in attracting young people to the church by encouraging their involvement in activities such as theatrical presentations is instructive and relevant today. A new wave of attention to Father Michael’s life should help inspire Catholics who work with our young people to advance their faith.
(Sources: Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism, Douglas Brinkley and Julie M. Fenster, 2006, Harper Collins, NY. ; Knights of Columbus web site at: www. kofc.org)
Copyright 2009 by Lawrence Norris (lmj.norris@gmail.com)
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