Next Sunday, November 1, we will celebrate All Saints Day. We celebrate all the saints in heaven, especially those not officially canonized, including our loved ones who have died and are among the blessed in heaven.
Speaking of canonization, which is quite a process, I believe we have another one in the making who is relevant to us. Currently declared “Venerable,” Fr. Michael McGivney, is to take the next step, a Beatification Mass on this Saturday, October 31, in Hartford, Connecticut. At that point he will be declared a “Blessed” that last step before being canonized a saint. Fr. McGivney was the founder of the Knights of Columbus and once beatified, Father McGivney will be the first U.S.-born priest to be beatified who spent his entire priestly ministry in a parish. I include a prayer for his canonization here:
Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney
God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender
of the widow and orphan, you called your priest,
Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of
Christian family life and to lead the young to the
generous service of their neighbor. Through the
example of his life and virtue may we follow your
Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling
his commandment of charity and building
up his Body which is the Church.
Let the inspiration of your servant prompt
us to greater confidence in your love so that
we may continue his work of caring for the needy
and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify
your venerable servant Father Michael J. McGivney
on earth according to the design of your holy will.
Through his intercession, grant the favor
I now present (here make your request).
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us all strive to be saints, but at this time especially let us remember those who have gone before us and who are saints in heaven, whether canonized or not. We should ask for their intercession to help us on our journey of faith.