Father Michael J. McGivney Gallery

Father Michael J. McGivney’s vision of a Catholic men’s fraternal society led to the establishment of the Knights of Columbus, which today is the largest Catholic lay organization in the world.

The McGivney gallery offers a glimpse into the life of the remarkable founder, including his work at St. Mary’s Church, located on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven. He held the first organizational meetings of the Knights of Columbus in the basement in October 1881.

Biographical information and artifacts trace his early life in Waterbury, Conn., his call to the priesthood, parish work, founding of the fledging Catholic fraternal society, his death and remembrances. A life-size bronze statue of Father McGivney, by Stanley Bleifeld is positioned nearby.

Father Michael J. McGivney
painting by Antonella Cappuccio, Oil on Canvas, 2003.

The image is one of spiritual guidance and comfort provided to the throngs of newly arrived immigrants by the Knights of Columbus and its founder, Father Michael J. McGivney. The priest’s example continue to inspire Knights today, and his vision is captured beautifully by Cappucio in this piece.

Here the artist has shown the settlers coming to the shores of America through New York Harbor, bringing with them the hopes and dreams of a new life - economic, cultural and spiritual. The symbolic Statue of Liberty is seen off in the distance offering solace, hope and prayers to all who pass “beside the golden door.”

At the far right we see Father McGivney, seated, holding an opened book. Behind him we glimpse the facade of St. Mary’s Church, where the young curate first organized the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Conn.

He saw clearly that both Catholics and the Church faced serious problems in the last half of the 19th century such as anti-Catholicism and ethnic prejudice; under-employment; lack of social standing and early loss of the breadwinner.

The Order’s emblem appears above the enveloping drapery. The moon and morning stars provide a backdrop for the beginning of a new day, in a new land.

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Father Michael J. McGivney
Oil on Canvas
By Richard W. Whitney, 1989

The memorial portrait of Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, was painted to honor the 100th anniversary of the death of the priest-founder of the Knights of Columbus (1890-1990).

The painter said that he chose to portray Father McGivney in a three-quarter profile, with his face slightly upturned as if "looking toward a heavenly light" and accented him in a subtle "halo" of gold paint to make him appear "saintly."

Richard W. Whitney is one of America's foremost portrait and landscape painters. His paintings hang in over 650 fine art collections worldwide,

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Father Michael J. McGivney
Charcoal on paper drawing by John J. Tierney, 1880
Salvatore J. Santopietro Collection

The drawing, signed “Tierney,” was dated 1880, just three years after Michael J. McGivney’s ordination to the priesthood and two years before the Knights of Columbus was fully incorporated.

The artwork is attributed to John J. Tierney, a New Haven photographer, later pencil artist and member of St. Mary’s Church. Tierney completed several other drawings of Father McGivney in addition to the photos for which he posed.

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The Devil: Does He Exist and What Does He Do? (Left)
By Father Delaport, Society of Mercy, Doctor of Theology, Professor of Dogma in the Faculty of Bordeaux, France
D. & J. Sadlier Co. N. Y., 1871
Salvatore J. Santopietro Collection

The front flyleaf of this book bears the handwritten inscription “E. Libris/ P. A. Murphy” followed by the signature of M. J. McGivney. Rev. Patrick A. Murphy was the pastor of St. Mary’s Church when Father McGivney served as his assistant-curate. Perhaps the pastor gave the book to his young curate, or perhaps they both warmed their acquaintance by discussing it during Father McGivney’s priestly assignment.

A Treatise on Cathecism (Right)
By Rev. Hamon, SS, 1866
Mary F. Snowden, translator
John P. Walsh, Cincinnati, Ohio
Imprimatur: J. B. Purcell, Archbishop of Cincinnati
Gift of Henry P. Reilly

Upon opening, one finds the inked inscription on the flyleaf that reads “Christmas 1877/ M. J. McGivney” in Father McGivney’s own hand, just three days after his ordination. Father McGivney appears to have emphasized catechetics in his priestly life. The treatise urged the priest to be zealous, charitable and gentle in imparting the truths of faith to the young.

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Memorial Chalice

The McGivney Memorial Chalice was commissioned by the Knights of Columbus to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of its founder, Father Michael J. McGivney. Crafted by Giansanti Artistic Jewelers in Rome, the node of the chalice is in the form of a globe depicting the old and new worlds, signifying that Christopher Columbus brought the faith from Europe on his voyage of discovery in 1492. The chalice was first used at the Memorial Mass during the 108th Supreme Council meeting, San Antonio, on Aug. 9, 1990.

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Reliquary

The Reliquary contains the priest's original burial vestments that were removed in 1981, when his body was re-interred in St. Mary's Church, on the 100th anniversary of the Order's founding. His cause for sainthood is currently under consideration by the Vatican.

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