WHEREAS, on Oct. 31, 2020, Father Michael J. McGivney, diocesan priest of Hartford and Founder of the Knights of Columbus, was raised to the honors of the altar and accorded the title “Blessed” by decree of Pope Francis at a Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, this auspicious event marked a very significant step in our Founder’s Cause for Canonization, which was opened in the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1997, with the Knights of Columbus serving as Actor; and
WHEREAS, Father McGivney is only the third U.S.-born male to be beatified, and needs a second miracle attributed to his intercession to become eligible for canonization;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Supreme Council assembled virtually for its 139th Annual Meeting on Aug. 4, 2021, join in offering fervent prayers of thanksgiving for the beatification of the Order’s Founder; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Supreme Council expresses its gratitude to all those whose efforts have made possible the advancement of our Founder’s cause, beginning with Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin of Hartford, who opened Father McGivney’s cause at the request of the late Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant, who was himself a champion of our Founder’s legacy and holiness; as well as to other members of the hierarchy who have advanced the cause, including Hartford’s Archbishop Henry J. Mansell and Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, whose preaching about our Founder’s vision has greatly enhanced our collective appreciation of the spiritual legacy bequeathed to us by our Founder; to Brother Knight John Walshe and all members of the McGivney Family who have supported the Knights of Columbus and the cause over many years; to Reverend Gabriel B. O’Donnell, O.P., who as the first Postulator authored the Prayer for Canonization and prepared the positio that presented the case for Father McGivney’s heroic virtue; to Past Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, who for 20 years diligently worked to promote devotion to Father McGivney, including the publication of his definitive biography, Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism; to Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, Postulator of the Cause for Canonization, and Vice-Postulator Brian V. Caulfield; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of the Supreme Council, knowing that a second miracle is needed for canonization, call upon all Knights and their families to invoke the proven intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney for their own needs and intentions, and to promptly report all favors received to the Father McGivney Guild, in the hope that our Founder’s cause will continue to advance so that he might soon number among the saints; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Supreme Council fully supports the mission of the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, previously known as the Knights of Columbus Museum, as it provides greater focus on the spirituality and charitable vision of our Founder, while continuing the museum’s original mission of preserving and presenting the Order’s history; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a new award be established and known as the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal, to be accorded annually to a Knights of Columbus chaplain whose priestly zeal and exemplary service are in the finest traditions of our Founder, and that, beginning next year, the final candidates for this prestigious international award will be selected from among priests honored by their jurisdictions with a new State Blessed Michael McGivney Award in the same manner as other award categories.