PRATICAL CATHOLICS

The one requirement of membership in the Knights of Columbus is that a man be a “practical Catholic” in union with the Holy See. What does the term “practical Catholic” mean?

Faith for Father McGivney and his Knights was not simply knowing the catechism, important as that is. It was putting into practice the Great Commandment of Jesus: To love God with all yourheartandyourneighboras yourself. True to the parable of the Good Samaritan, love of neighbor does not stop at the church door. It goes out intothe streets, the highways and byways, to encounter those on the margins of society – who were often immigrant Catholics in Father McGivney’s day – and bringthempracticalcharityand fraternallove.

A “practical Catholic” has a love of home, family and church, where faith is nurtured. Yet his faith leads him into the world, evenaworldsuffusedwithantiCatholic sentiment, in the spirit

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 of the Good Samaritan. He is called to bind up the wounds of the sick and abandoned, to provide for their temporal needs, to support the faith of Catholics and pass on the faith to inquirers, and to live a life of prayer and virtue, with love of Godandneighbor.

HIS VISION, YOUR MISSION

You can play a key role in advancing Father McGivney’s cause by joining the Guild for free and praying for his intercession and canonization. May Father McGivney intercede for you!

The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild serves as a source for information about the life, works and spirituality of Father McGivney. The Guild publishes a quarterly newsletter and offers a weekly Mass for the intentions of members.