The information below is a time line of major events and accomplishments of Father Michael J. McGivney. There is more information regarding Father Michael J. McGivney in the biography"Parish Priest:Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism" by Douglas Brinkley & Julie M. Fenster. This book is available through the McGivney Guild, in bookstores and can be ordered thru the Knights of Columbus web site  www.kofc.org.

• On August 12, 1852 Michael J. McGivney was born. He was the first of 13 children (six of whom died young) and his parents were Irish Immigrates.
   
• On August 19, 1852 Michael J. McGivney was baptized at St Peter's church in Waterbury, Connecticut.
   
• Michael left school at the age of 13 to go to work and support the family.
   
• Between 1868 and 1871 Michael J. McGivney, at the age of 16, undertakes studies for the priesthood at St. Hyacinthe seminary in Quebec.
   
• Between 1871 and 1872 Michael J. McGivney continues his studies for the priesthood at the Lady of the Angels Seminary in Niagara Falls, New York.
   
• On December 23, 1876 Michael J. McGivney was ordained a deacon at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Baltimore, Maryland. 
   
• On December 25, 1877 Michael J. McGivney was ordained a deacon at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Baltimore, Maryland by Archbishop (later Cardinal) James Gibbons. A few days later, with his widowed mother present, Father Michael J. McGivney conducted his first solemn mass at the Immaculate Conception Church in Waterbury, Connecticut.
   
• On October 2, 1881 80 men meet for the first time in the basement of St Mary's to discuss the formation of a Catholic association of men that would meet their material and spiritual needs.
   
• On February 6, 1882 The Knights of Columbus was formed. The constitution and bylaws were drafted. Father Michael J. McGivney suggested the organization should be called "Sons of Columbus", but the members at the time who were Irish born civil war veterans felt "Knights" would be better because it would be a noble ritual in support of the emerging cause of Catholic Civil Liberties.
   
• On March 29, 1882 the Connecticut State Legislature grants a charter to the Knights and Father Michael J. McGivney servers as Supreme Secretary.
   
• On June 16, 1882 the first Knights of Columbus convention was held. The members elect Father Michael J. McGivney to serve as Supreme Chaplain and to the board of directors.
   
• On August 23, 1883 Father Michael J. McGivney publishes an explaination of the organization in a local Catholic newspaper promoting its virtues.
   
• On October 7, 1883 Father Michael J. McGivney urges devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, the Blessed Mother.
   
• On October 19, 1883 Father Michael J. McGivney was part of a delegation to establish a Knights council in Middletown, Connecticut.
   
• On October 26, 1884 Father Michael J. McGivney urges members to vote according to their conscience when it comes to public elections.
   
• On November 1, 1884 Father Michael J. McGivney was appointed pastor at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, Connecticut and on November 26, 1886 he was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Terryville, Connecticut.
   
• On August 14, 1890 at the age of 38 Father Michael J.McGivney died of pneumonia and was buried at St Joseph's Church with family members in Waterbury, Connecticut.
   
• On March 29,1982, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus, the body of Father Michael J.McGivney was moved to St. Mary's church in New Haven, Connecticut.
  
  Father McGivney's Final Resting Place
   
• Named Servant of God-September 1997.
    
• On December 18, 1997 the process of canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney was started.
   
• Named Venerable-March 15, 2008. 

For more information please go to www.FATHERMCGIVNEY.ORG.
 

Knights material provided by Michael Hart