Man of Pastoral Action

Attentive to a family’s hopes and aspirations for education or job security, Fr. McGivney listened as well to stories of disappointment and betrayal in love.

He encouraged those burdened with fear and guilt. Just 10 months after his ordination, Fr. McGivney expressed the toll of such a heavy workload in a letter to a former seminary professor: “I have not had time for even one day’s vacation since I left St. Mary’s [Seminary] and was obliged to be at my post alone while Fr. Murphy was away. So pardon me the delay.”

His spirituality flowed from his priestly identity and the primary work of bringing Christ to his people in the sacraments. His example of being ever ready to listen, advise and console stirred the idealism and generosity of his young friends to imitate his virtue in their own lives and in their proper vocation.

The uniqueness of Fr. McGivney’s spirituality of pastoral action lies less in its piety, which was typical of the age and religious climate, and more in the fact that he fostered collaboration between the priest and the layman in addressing the serious issues Catholics faced in the second half of the 19th century. The spirit of cooperation and a certain sense of equality must be considered a unique aspect of Fr. McGivney’s spirituality.

While always considered a man of exemplary virtue, Fr. McGivney was still always approachable. He was loved by his people, particularly his young charges whose souls he so carefully nurtured and formed. No less in death than in life is Fr. McGivney an apostle to the young and the protector of Christian family life.

Add to the mix his other activities such as visiting the sick, instructing the children in catechism and the herculean task of founding the Knights of Columbus and one can well understand why he had little stamina to fight off the illness which finally carried him off from this world.

He was a hardworking pastor of souls.