Bishop Martin Hayes celebrated Mass in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Felim in Cavan on Thursday morning, 13 August 2026, at 10:00a.m. to mark the Optional Memorial of Blessed Michael McGivney.
Blessed Michael’s grandparents emigrated to the United States of America from Crosserlough and Castlerahan parishes in the Diocese of Kilmore. He served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Hartford (USA) and founded the Knights of Saint Columbus.
Bishop Martin’s reflection during the Mass is given below:
Introduction
We gather to remember Blessed Michael McGivney, Priest, son of immigrants, Patrick McGivney from Drumkilly, Crosserlough and Mary Lynch of Castlerahan. I welcome all of you to our daily Mass here in the Cathedral of St Patrick & St Felim and in particular, the relatives of Blessed Michael and the public representatives and staff of Cavan County Council, including the Cathaoirleach, Ms Carmel Brady.
Reflection
One of the meanings of the word ‘Blessed’ is ‘connected to God’. Today, we honour Blessed Fr Michael McGivney with the proclamation of the Beatitudes which begin with the word, ‘Blessed’ in the Gospel of Matthew. Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, – as echoed in the Prayer for Canonisation of Blessed Michael. Blessed are the meek, those who hunger and thirst for what is right and those who are merciful. Blessed Michael founded the Knights of Columbus, to care for the outcasts. Blessed are the pure in heart and the peacemakers. It is appropriate that Fr Michael, a priest of the then Diocese of Hartford which was experienced anti-Catholic sentiment, that we proclaim, Blessed are those persecuted for doing good and for giving witness to their faith in God. The Beatitudes proclaim the essence of what we are invited to live as Christians, indeed, in suffering and in being with those who suffer we are connected to God.
Rather than see the faults of others, we are called ‘to bear with one another’ (First Reading from Ephesians), see the good in others, and celebrate how God’s grace can be active in others. The grace of God was evident in the life of Fr Michael McGivney, born on August 12th1852, ordained at 25 years, and who founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 which has grown to involve millions in doing good work throughout the USA. Fr Michael had the ability to relate to everyone and the Knights of Columbus, as well as doing good, helped young Catholic men, in particular, to find ways of expressing their faith with purpose in practical ways.
In the spirit of our first reading, we celebrate that we are all different, thank God; each with our different gifts and we are challenged to channel our efforts for the common good. It’s the call to follow the example of Jesus as echoed in the Prayer for the Canonisation of Blessed Michael which we will pray after Communion. Today, we give thanks for the example of Blessed Michael McGivney, Priest, son of immigrants from Crosserlough and Castlerahan who left Ireland amid the tragedy of the Great Famine. We rejoice in what has emerged. We celebrate their son, a priest, indeed, Blessed Michael, now recognised as connected to God. Though, Fr Michael died at 38 years of age, he continues to have an impact for good. He died on 14th August 1890, was born on the 12th August 1852 and so it is appropriate that we pray his Memorial on today, the 13th August.
Thanks
To you all, the relatives of Blessed Michael, and members of Cavan Co Council who represent the wider local Cavan community, including Cathaoirleach, Ms Carmel Brady. I thank, in particular, Councillor John Paul Feeley who has been instrumental in coordinating our celebration this morning and who indeed has visited the Hartford, the Archdiocese in Connecticut (where Fr Michael ministered) to build upon those connections between here and there.
