DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST:

PART TWO: MY SUMMER VACATION: This weekend I am beginning the second half of my summer vacation, which will run from August 15^th until the end of the month. Like the first half of my summer “stay-vacation,” I have plans to visit with family and friends. I am most excited about finally meeting my great niece, Willow, who is 16 months old.

THE SHRINE OF FR. MICHAEL McGIVNEY: It’s been several years since I last visited the Church of St. Mary’s in New Haven. Connecticut. The body of Fr. McGivney was placed in a tomb in the rear of the Church, where people come regularly to pray through his intercession and his canonization.

Fr. McGivney was born on August 12, 1852, and died on August 14, 1890, at the age of 38. According to Wikipedia, Fr. McGivney, “was an American Catholic priest based in New Haven, Connecticut. He founded the Knights of Columbus at a local parish to serve as a mutual aid and insurance organization, particularly for immigrants and their families. It developed through the 20^th century as the world’s Catholic fraternal organization.”

“The cause of his canonization started in the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1996; in March 2008 Pope Benedict XVI declared McGivney “Venerable” in recognition of his “heroic virtue.” Then on May 27, 2020, Pope Francis announced that McGivney had been approved for beatification, which officially occurred on October 31, 2020. We now wait for the news of his canonization to sainthood.

I am hoping that this will take place during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. How appropriate it would be if Pope Leo, the First American Pope, would finalize the process and set a date for the canonization of Fr. Michael McGivney. Please join me in saying this prayer for his canonization.

“God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest, Blessed Michael 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 Blessed Michael 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.”