The Fr. Michael J. McGivney Guild
Ever since the Knights were founded, it has been the duty of the Knights to carry on his good works and desire to provide for the families of Brother Knights through our programs and and also provide for those less fortunate than ourselves.
There are four steps to Sainthood. Fr. McGiveny has been declared " Venerable Servant of God" , the second step towards Sainthood.
WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT BY SUBSCRIBING TO THE FR. McGIVENY GUILD. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CHARGE FOR THIS MONTHLY LETTER OTHER THAN YOUR SPIRITUAL SUPPORT.
Please Consider,
Vivat Jesus
The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild serves as a source for information about the life, works and spirituality of Father McGivney. The Guild distributes informational 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 and are invited to participate in promoting devotion to this Servant of God. Members of the Knights of Columbus are not automatically Guild members and must elect to join the Guild. The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild Newsletter is published bimonthly except July- August, and is sent free to Guild members.
The Knights of Columbus insurance story begins in the winter of 1882 in the basement of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn. It was there that our Venerable founder, Father Michael J.
McGivney, gathered the men of his parish together to create a solution to a recurring problem.
Many Catholics — most of whom were immigrants — were working and living in unfavorable conditions. And many, tragically, were dying young, leaving behind widows and orphans with insufficient financial resources.
It was a cold reality that had confronted Father McGivney all too often — not only in the lives of his parishioners — but in his own. As a seminarian, he was forced to leave school and return home to aid his family when his father died unexpectedly.
Though this story of financial ruin for Catholic families was common, Father McGivney was convinced that there was a way to change the ending. He knew that if the Catholic men in his parish came together in mutual aid, widows and orphans could receive the support they needed.
He also knew that if Catholic men banded together, united by charity and unity, they could strengthen their faith, their families, and their communities.
So, he established the Knights of Columbus, and with it, a “pass-the-hat” insurance system to protect the Catholic families in his parish. Over time, that system has evolved, and today we stay true to our founding mission through our multi-billion dollar, top-rated insurance program. Members in the United States and Canada have exclusive access to our insurance program and products, including life insurance, retirement annuities, long-term care insurance, and disability income insurance.
Our charitable giving and fraternal service have continued to grow too. More than 1.9 million men in over a dozen countries across the globe are proud to call themselves Knights. Last year alone, these men and their families donated more than $175 million to charity and performed more than 73.5 million hours of service.