“… we decided to write a McGivney biography largely because he was ‘just a parish priest.’ Too often, American Catholic history focuses on the Church hierarchy, much as general history focuses too often on royalty and presidents. Over the years, grand biographies have been written about famous bishops and cardinals. That’s fine, but the heart of Catholicism in the United States lies with parish priests, who become so much a part of their parishioners’ regular lives…”
— from “Parish Priest,” Preface XI
On Saturday, July 12, I had the privilege of celebrating Mass in our Cathedral for the Installation of Officers and State Deputies of the Knights of Columbus in the State of New Jersey. At their State Convention this past May, one of our own Knights from the Diocese of Paterson, James P. Sweeney (no relation that we are aware of), was installed as the “State Deputy,” which led to Paterson having the honor of hosting the installation ceremony for the State Officers and district deputy.
In preparation for the Mass and homily, I returned to a book that I had read many years ago: Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism by Douglas Brinkley and Julie M. Fenster. See: https://www.amazon.com/Parish-Priest-McGivney-American-Catholicism/dp/0060776854
It surprised me that it has been almost 20 years since “Parish Priest” was published, on March 13, 2007. I had remembered that I enjoyed reading the book and learning more of the story of how Father McGivney and a group of Catholic laymen founded the Knights of Columbus to support families who could face separation, the loss of a home, and potential destitution at the sudden death of a husband and father. I did not recall how compelling this book is from its very first pages, in the preface, as the authors tell the story of how they were “introduced” to Father McGivney and decided to write his biography. It was a pleasure to read “Parish Priest” again and be reminded of the amazing “origin story” of the Knights of Columbus.
The life of Father McGivney is truly inspiring, and I believe that any priest, especially “parish priests,” would find the book not only a “good read” but “spiritual reading.” I am also convinced that any Catholic, especially Catholics in the United States, can benefit from reading “Parish Priest.” Readers who enjoy American History will certainly appreciate the authors’ description of life in Connecticut and the United States from the early to late 1800s. The short span of Father McGivney’s life (Aug. 12, 1852, to Aug. 14, 1890) was a time when Catholics in the United States still faced suspicion and prejudice from many of their neighbors, but it was also a time of rapid growth, as the authors describe:
“… Even the most evenhanded Protestants couldn’t help but notice that the Catholic population of the country was rising dramatically. In 1830, there were 318,000 Catholics in the United States, accounting for about 3 percent of the total population. In 1870, there were 3,555,000, and that number doubled in just 10 years, so that by 1880, Catholics represented 12 percent of the population.”
— “Parish Priest,” pp. 144
There are many, many parts of the story of Father McGivney and of the founding and development of the Knights of Columbus. After being founded in New Haven on Feb. 6, 1882, the group foundered for more than a year and almost disbanded until the foundation of a second council, “Silver City Council #2” in Meriden, Conn., on May 16, 1883. Then things started to “take off.” You can go to the Knights of Columbus website to learn more about the group’s history and how it has become the “largest fraternal organization in the world.”
You can also go to the website of the Father Michael J. McGivney Guild to learn more about his life, faith, vision, and legacy, and his cause for canonization. There are also two compelling videos about Father McGivney’s life and legacy. One is a documentary, “American Blessed.” The other is called “A Witness for the World” and begins with these words:
“In May 2020, Pope Francis approved the miracle needed for the beatification of Father Michael McGivney. As a Connecticut priest and founder of the Knights of Columbus, Blessed Michael McGivney is often viewed as an American phenomenon. However, in reality, his vision has spread across the world, touching millions of lives…”
We often say, “God works in mysterious ways.” In the case of Father McGivney and the Knights of Columbus, we might say, “God works in mysterious and amazing ways!” To read “Parish Priest” and learn of the challenges and obstacles that were faced by Father McGivney and the founders of the Knights of Columbus, as well as the challenges facing families, Catholics and the wider community of that time and place, it is truly amazing to see and realize what the Knights of Columbus have become and all the good they have done and continue to do 143 years later.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate James P. Sweeney on being named State Deputy. I also want to express my gratitude to Jim and all the Knights, especially in our Diocese of Paterson and throughout New Jersey, for all that they do to support me, all our bishops and priests, and for all they do in our parishes and communities to support the work of the Church and help those in need. The legacy and vision of Father McGivney continue to inspire the Knights and their families to live up to their mission statement, “Together, we’re empowering Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work, and in their community.”
As we learn from the heroic virtues of Father McGivney, it is important to recognize that the irreplaceable ministry of parish priests continues to serve in countless quiet ways through care for families, the poor, and souls in need. Let us continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood. Pray that the Lord will raise up others who will follow Father McGivney’s example and will serve with sacrificial self-giving and confidence in the power of God’s grace. Fostering vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life is a responsibility we all share. On Good Shepherd Sunday, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, encouraged us to pray for vocations, “It is important that young men and women on their vocational journey find acceptance, listening and encouragement in their communities, and that they can look up to credible models of generous dedication to God and to their brothers and sisters.” The Knights of Columbus give us so much to be grateful for. The service of the Knights in fostering and supporting vocations is a particularly precious gift to the Church.
Let us pray through the intercession of Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney that God may continue to bless the work and generosity of all the Knights of Columbus and their families and that each of us can respond to the call to holiness, according to our own vocation, in imitation of this amazing “parish priest.”
