The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, in New Haven, remembers the life of a parish priest by the name of Michael McGivney who was born in Waterbury, Connecticut.

He founded the Knights of Columbus in New Haven in 1882.

Blessed Michael McGivney is a unique figure in Connecticut state history because he is the first man from here to ever be beatified.

In the Catholic tradition, beatification is an important step on the path to become a saint in the Catholic tradition.

Fr. Michael McGivney was beatified on Oct. 31, 2020.

Peter Sonski, the Director of Community Outreach for the Knights of Columbus, gives a brief narrative of Fr. Michael McGivney's Life.

"Father McGivney was the son of Irish immigrants. His parents moved here during potato famine in the mid 19th century they came from County Cavan in Ireland.

He was born here in 1852. He was in school during the Civil War and then shortly after that began seminary studies. He was ordained a priest in 1877, and he had two major parish assignments one here in New Haven during which he founded the Knights of Columbus and later between 1884 and his death in 1890 in Thomaston, CT .

Fr. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus as an organization to keep man united in their faith and in service to one another in support of one another and then by extension also to their communities.

It was a parish - based space organization when he founded it, but it multiplied parish by parish first throughout the United States and now in many countries across the world. There are more than 2 million members of the Knights of Columbus today, and they still preserve his founding principles of charity and unity.

From its origins, the Knights of Columbus has always had a close relationship with the Holy See or with the person of the Pope.

Pope Francis has died recently and we as Knights Of Columbus mourn his passing, and we remember him, and we've shared here at the McGivney center some objects, some correspondence, some documents that relate to the relationship that we’ve enjoyed with him.

One of the most noteworthy objects that we have on display is the Pope's letter of authorization certifying a miracle that allowed for Father McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus to be beatified. So, the link with Pope Francis, and the Knights of Columbus is very unique because it was during Francis' Papacy that Fr. McGivney had a miracle that led to his being beatified.

When visitors come, they’ll be able to view the display and we also have a register of condolence so they’ll have an opportunity to offer a few words in writing of condolence or remembrance of Pope Francis.

He was someone that was loved the world over by Catholic and non-Catholics alike.

One of the distinctions about Pope Francis is that there were many comparisons with even Father McGivney. Father McGivney had a real affection for migrants and people on the margins of society. Francis was known as the Pope of the peripheries, and he was a very pastoral figure. He really wanted to be connected with the people, and that was also characteristic of Fr. McGivney.

The McGivney Center has a gallery called the Papal gallery that chronicles the history of the Knights of Columbus with the Popes that have reigned during that time from 1882 when we were founded until the present 143 years.

We have depictions of all of the Popes and a number of objects that are on display for people to have a better understanding of what transpired in world and Catholic history during that time and how the knights of Columbus are connected.

There’s been an outpouring of interest in his life, and all that he stood for all the example he said, and this is a great place to come and to celebrate that to remember that and honor that memory. "

Other exhibits on view include: The Wall of History- which chronicles the history if the Knights of Columbus, as well as a temporary exhibit: Among the Persecuted and Displaced. The Museum is open Wednesday thru Sunday. Admission is Free.