The founder of the Knights of Columbus, Father Michael McGivney, is scheduled for beatification this weekend. Born into an Irish-immigrant family, Fr. McGivney lived just 38 years — and died during the pandemic of 1889-90. He often asked what he could do to address the many crises that surrounded the people entrusted to his care. Everywhere he looked, he saw people drifting away from each other. So, Father McGivney resolved to unite them. He saw the need for fraternity, which he understood in the widest context of “people uniting in common cause.” He recognized that when people come together, they turn their attention away from themselves and focus instead on service to others. They strengthen one another, and in doing so, they strengthen society itself. Does this sound familiar in the midst of the present troubles brought on by the coronavirus?
Fr. McGivney’s vision of people uniting to help those around them is applicable to Americans of all beliefs, especially as we confront the virus and also as we mark the end of this election season. May his beatification inspire all of us, especially those who are suffering in this time of pandemic and may it help fill the void that millions of us are now feeling. Blessed Fr. Michael, pray for us.
What does it mean to be Beatified? https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=32114
