This was my second time reading Parish Priest, the story of Fr. Michael McGivney. While his legacy is the founding of the Knights of Columbus, the book mainly focuses on his life and ministry, with a small portion of the overall book covering his work with the Knights.

McGivney lived in a very difficult time in America. Not only was there the threat of an early death, vigorous anti-Catholic sentiment colored just about every aspect of his daily life. Out of that adversity, he founded the Knights of Columbus which has gone on to go countless good works in America and around the world.

What impressed me most about this book is how connected the American Church of today is to the American Church of the 1880s. The authors did an excellent job of explaining the movement and explosive growth of the Church with the rapid influx of immigrants in that period. I now have a understanding of the leadership thought processes for decisions that we continue to live with today. They did a wonderful job shepherding the infant American Church.

I read this book looking for inspiration as I become active once again in the Knights. This book kept its promise and gave me exactly what I was looking for.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

ISBN: 9780060776848