Blessed Michael McGivney's Love of the Heart of Jesus | | |
By Fr. Jonathan D. Kalisch, O.P.
Director of Chaplains and Spiritual Development
In the Litany of Blessed Michael McGivney, we invoke his prayerful intercession as one “devoted to the Sacred Heart,” along with the title “son of the Immaculate Heart.” As the joint feasts of the hearts of Our Lord Jesus and our Blessed Mother Mary approach, it is fitting for us to encourage deeper devotion under their protection among our brother Knights and their families.
Having studied under the French Sulpician Fathers in the seminary, Blessed Michael would have been familiar with devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Additionally, he may have encountered stories of the heroic life of St. Jean Vianney, whom Pope Pius XI declared venerable in 1874, and whose apt description of the priesthood as “the love of the Heart of Jesus” may have inspired Blessed Michael’s own priestly zeal. Certainly, Father McGivney promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart, giving the convicted murderer Chip Smith an image that became a source of healing grace and conversion in the young man’s life.
Indeed, in the pastoral preparations Father McGivney made for the 110th anniversary of the independence of the United States in 1886, his love of the Sacred Heart was further revealed. The financial ledger at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston details Father McGivney’s thrifty spending as pastor from 1884 to 1890. An 1886 expense that stands out amid the ordinary parish outlays for heating oil, candles and so forth was the purchase of a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This extraordinary expenditure shows the importance Blessed Michael placed on instilling devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus among his new parishioners.
As the bishops of the United States prepare to consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus this June, let us imitate Blessed Michael McGivney’s love of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Every brother Knight should participate with his family in the consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary and seek to enthrone these images in his home. May Blessed Michael, who found such solace in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, intercede for all of us in every pastoral need. Vivat Jesus!
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This month, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori challenges Knights to take a few minutes each morning and prayerfully ask Jesus how they can use their gifts for his mission, and to set one clear, specific resolution (large or small) for what they will do on that particular day.
| | Blessed Michael McGivney's Corner | | |
This June, the United States bishops will unite to consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion that lies at the foundation of our Order. Love for the Eucharist and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus were central to Blessed Michael McGivney’s spirituality. His superiors recognized this early on, and while he was at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, he was chosen to serve as a sacristan.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart helped Father McGivney bring souls to God. One of the most memorable examples is the story of James “Chip” Smith, a young man sentenced to death for killing a policeman during a street fight. Father McGivney accompanied Smith in his final moments, even walking with him to the gallows, and Smith died with a Sacred Heart badge pinned to his chest — a gift from the priest. Earlier that day, Father McGivney celebrated Mass for him, during which the prisoner’s favorite hymn, “O Sacred Heart,” was sung.
This November 2020 Columbia article features more about Chip Smith’s moving testimony, and this 2025 article further describes how Blessed Michael McGivney’s compassionate heart led him to found our Order.
| | May 13 — Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima | | |
“People who pray the rosary do not lose hope. They have the strength to endure trials; they do not lose heart,” said Father Oleksandr Bohomaz, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest and Knights of Columbus chaplain. After his home city of Melitopol was invaded by Russian troops in February 2022, he remained for nine months to administer the sacraments and serve Ukrainians under occupation. In December 2022, Father Bohomaz was captured by Russian forces and forcibly deported, narrowly escaping death. During that time, he entrusted his life to Our Lady of Fatima while searching for a safe path through a minefield. Following this experience, he dedicated his life to spreading devotion to Our Lady of Fatima through the rosary. Read the interview with Father Bohomaz about his life under Russian occupation and his reflections on his devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.
In 2015, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori entrusted the Order to Our Lady of Fatima during a Knights of Columbus pilgrimage to the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal. In his homily during Mass, he said, “We beseech Our Lady of Fatima, the Mother of Mercy, to pray with us and for us that, united with her Son, we may open our hearts to God, the Father of Mercies.” He also encouraged Knights to “pray the rosary daily, as a family.” Read the full address of the supreme chaplain here.
As you observe this feast, The Message of Our Lady of Fatima booklet, available from the Order’s Catholic Information Service, may be a useful resource.
| | Solemnity of the Ascension | | |
The celebration of the Ascension holds a profound place in Christian life. This feast goes beyond recalling Christ’s return to the Father; it also points to the ultimate purpose of human life. The mystery of the Ascension reminds us that our future is not limited to earthly realities but is rooted in a promise of communion with God. It inspires Christians to live with hope and to remain committed to their mission of witness and service in the world. As St. Augustine expressed in his homily for this feast: “Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him.” You can read his full reflection here.
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May 21 — Memorial of Saint Christopher Magallanes, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs
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This year marks the 100th anniversary of La Cristada, the Cristero War in Mexico. As Catholics in Mexico faced persecution and martyrdom during this period, the Knights of Columbus mounted an international campaign to defend the Church. The May 2026 issue of Columbia features an article about the Order's critical response during this persecution.
The memorial of the Mexican martyrs, commemorated May 21, includes six Knights of Columbus who were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. This past year, a new Faith in Action program — ¡Viva Cristo Rey! — was released with resources to help our councils and members recognize and grow closer to these brother Knights. Encourage your council to run this program with your support:
| | June 7 — Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ | | |
The feast of Corpus Christi reminds us that our Lord has not left us orphaned but remains with us until he comes again. We bear witness to Christ’s boundless love, revealed in the Eucharist, through personal prayer, the practice of the Holy Hour, and public expressions of faith, especially participation in Mass and Eucharistic processions.
To assist in preparing for Corpus Christi, the Order’s Catholic Information Service offers a variety of Eucharistic resources available here. Materials for the Holy Hour program can also be found here.
If possible, you might also take part in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which this year is dedicated to prayer for the nation in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Finally, consider sharing this short film about Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of our Order, as the Woman of the Eucharist.
| | June 12 — Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus | | |
On June 11, in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the United States bishops will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Parishes around the country are encouraged to join in this historic consecration by hosting their own liturgical celebrations and participating in the USCCB’s 250 Hours of Adoration initiative.
Invite your parishes and councils to participate in the novena to the Sacred Heart from June 3-11 in preparation for the solemnity celebrated June 12. Resources and additional information about these programs are available here.
As part of the Order’s Pilgrim Icon Program, images of the Sacred Heart are currently making their way through parishes served by Knights of Columbus councils worldwide. Resources for this program are available at kofc.org/sacredheart. If your parish or council would like to host an icon for a Holy Hour or other event, contact your state council’s Pilgrim Icon chairman.
| | Thank you for your service to the Order. If you have any questions or suggestions during your term, please email chaplains@kofc.org | | |
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