August 13, 2021, marks the first feast day of Blessed Michael McGivney since his beatification in 2020.
With his beatification, we have now six Blesseds of the United States (and 10 canonized saints!).
See the list here:
Personal sanctity
Blessed McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, the well known fraternal organization that has taken up thousands of charity projects throughout the world.
But Fr. McGivney’s beatification recognizes his personal life of sanctity, not the work of the Knights.
Battling culture
See how Fr. McGivney had to fight anti-Catholic prejudice; many Americans today have no idea how hard it was to be Catholic and American just some short years ago.
A great sense of humor
The Knights of Columbus is one of the most well known Catholic organizations in the country. But many of us don’t know that much about the life of the founder.
While McGivney of course had no children or grandchildren, family stories have been passed down through his nieces and nephews.
There’s even the (false) tale about how he was so close to his sister that when she got married, he went on the honeymoon with her! See the real story here:
A miracle man
Along the path of being recognized by the Church as a blessed in Heaven, a miracle must be validated. The one attributed to the intercession of Blessed McGivney is wondrous indeed.
Michelle Schachle was told that her 13th child had Down syndrome along with fetal hydrops, a condition that is usually fatal. But God had other plans:
And more miracles are being reported, included many linked to Covid!
Relive the celebration
You can read these stories and many, many more at Aleteia’s extensive coverage of the Beatification and the legacy of Blessed McGivney, here.
And live the special beatification again with these exclusive photos:
And today we celebrate...