Fr. Michael McGivney beatified today; Vocation Week
We remember today Fr. Michael McGivney . He was beatified today, the first American priest to receive that designation (one step away from being declared a saint). He was an ordinary parish priest in some ways, but famous for his founding of the fraternal order of Catholic men called the Knights of Columbus in 1882. They are still very much around and have been doing great work for 138 years. They started by providing fraternity for immigrants who were often despised by native Americans and by caring for those in need -- especially widows of those same immigrants. Fr. McGivney was the son of Irish immigrant parents, so he certainly knew their needs. In more modern times, the Knights have branched out into on pro-life work, support for the handicapped, support for priests and seminarians, and educational efforts. Here's a great article about his beatification from the always information Catholic newspaper, the National Cath...