FATHER McGIVNEY GUILD

The cause for the canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney was opened by the Archdiocese of Hartford on December 10, 1997. Simultaneously, the Father McGivney Guild was established to gather and disseminate information on the life and legacy of this parish priest and founder of the Knights of Columbus. Fr. Gabriel O’Donnell, OP is the postulator of McGivney’s cause as well as director of the Guild.

On March 15, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Father Michael J. McGivney. The pope’s declaration significantly advanced his process towards sainthood and gives Fr. McGivney the distinctive title of “Venerable Servant of God.”

To quote Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, “All of us who are members of the knights of Columbus are profoundly grateful for this recognition of the holiness of our founder. The strength of the Knights of Columbus today is a testament to his timeless vision, his holiness and his ideals.”

If you are not a member of the Guild, you can become one by signing on to californiaknights.org and going to the Father McGivney Guild link to participate in promoting devotion to this Servant of God, or complete the application found in every issue of Columbian magazine. Anyone can join the Guild – encourage family members, prayers groups and friends to join us. Favors received through Father McGivney’s intercession are signs of God’s love manifested through the holiness of his life. The Guild serves as a source for information about the life, works and spirituality of Father McGivney. This year we encourage every Council promote the Father McGivney Guild at every Exemplification and every meeting. We especially encourage having sign-up sheets and application forms at every Degree Exemplification. Click here for the sign-up sheet to use. Each council will be responsible for ensuring the information is properly submitted to the Guild.

The Guild distributes information materials about him, receives reports of favors granted through his intercession and oversees the distribution of relics. Guild members receive regular updates on the progress of Father McGivney’s cause for canonization, the Honors of the Altar and are invited to participate in promoting devotion to this Servant of God. His cause for sainthood needs your prayers and involvement even more today than ever. Become part of the effort for the canonization of our founder by joining the Guild today.

Grand Knights are asked to become aware of those Knights in their Councils that are not currently Guild members and be prepared, with an application, to encourage them to become members. It is highly recommended that Grand Knights or their delegate approach each new Knight and enthusiastically offer Guild membership. Knights can become members by signing up online.

God bless the efforts of our Guild members, Venerable Servant of God, Father Michael J. McGivney, pray for us.

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.

Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney

God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church.

Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your venerable servant Father Michael J. McGivney on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present (here make your request). Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.)

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