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Explore the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center

Father McGivney and His Legacy
Father McGivney and His Legacy
Father McGivney and His Legacy
Father McGivney and His Legacy
Father McGivney and His Legacy
These galleries uniquely appeal to Knights of Columbus and those interested in the history and achievements of the international organization founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney.
These galleries uniquely appeal to Knights of Columbus and those interested in the history and achievements of the international organization founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney.
These galleries uniquely appeal to Knights of Columbus and those interested in the history and achievements of the international organization founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney.
These galleries uniquely appeal to Knights of Columbus and those interested in the history and achievements of the international organization founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney.
These galleries uniquely appeal to Knights of Columbus and those interested in the history and achievements of the international organization founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney.

Vatican Cross
Vatican Cross
Vatican Cross
Vatican Cross
Vatican Cross
This cross was presented to the Knights of Columbus by Pope Saint John Paul II as an expression of gratitude for the organization's restoration the exterior façade of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City during the 1980s. The copper-clad cross, which was replaced during the renovation, dates to 1613 was part of a statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the basilica.
This cross was presented to the Knights of Columbus by Pope Saint John Paul II as an expression of gratitude for the organization's restoration the exterior façade of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City during the 1980s. The copper-clad cross, which was replaced during the renovation, dates to 1613 was part of a statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the basilica.
This cross was presented to the Knights of Columbus by Pope Saint John Paul II as an expression of gratitude for the organization's restoration the exterior façade of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City during the 1980s. The copper-clad cross, which was replaced during the renovation, dates to 1613 was part of a statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the basilica.
This cross was presented to the Knights of Columbus by Pope Saint John Paul II as an expression of gratitude for the organization's restoration the exterior façade of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City during the 1980s. The copper-clad cross, which was replaced during the renovation, dates to 1613 was part of a statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the basilica.
This cross was presented to the Knights of Columbus by Pope Saint John Paul II as an expression of gratitude for the organization's restoration the exterior façade of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City during the 1980s. The copper-clad cross, which was replaced during the renovation, dates to 1613 was part of a statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the basilica.

Supreme Council Archives
Supreme Council Archives
Supreme Council Archives
Supreme Council Archives
Supreme Council Archives
The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882 and has maintained its international headquarters in the city since it origins. The Supreme Council Archives are maintained at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, a part of its New Haven campus, and contain more than a century of historical records.
The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882 and has maintained its international headquarters in the city since it origins. The Supreme Council Archives are maintained at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, a part of its New Haven campus, and contain more than a century of historical records.
The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882 and has maintained its international headquarters in the city since it origins. The Supreme Council Archives are maintained at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, a part of its New Haven campus, and contain more than a century of historical records.
The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882 and has maintained its international headquarters in the city since it origins. The Supreme Council Archives are maintained at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, a part of its New Haven campus, and contain more than a century of historical records.
The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882 and has maintained its international headquarters in the city since it origins. The Supreme Council Archives are maintained at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, a part of its New Haven campus, and contain more than a century of historical records.


CURATOR'S CHOICE
CURATOR'S CHOICE
CURATOR'S CHOICE
CURATOR'S CHOICE
CURATOR'S CHOICE
Among the common requests the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center staff receives is for assistance in identifying ceremonial swords. There are other fraternal orders that have use such swords, and some are confused with those historically used by the Knights of Columbus.
Among the common requests the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center staff receives is for assistance in identifying ceremonial swords. There are other fraternal orders that have use such swords, and some are confused with those historically used by the Knights of Columbus.
Among the common requests the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center staff receives is for assistance in identifying ceremonial swords. There are other fraternal orders that have use such swords, and some are confused with those historically used by the Knights of Columbus.
Among the common requests the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center staff receives is for assistance in identifying ceremonial swords. There are other fraternal orders that have use such swords, and some are confused with those historically used by the Knights of Columbus.
Among the common requests the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center staff receives is for assistance in identifying ceremonial swords. There are other fraternal orders that have use such swords, and some are confused with those historically used by the Knights of Columbus.


There are several distinctive features to a Knights of Columbus sword, but the simplest way to identify one is to look at the cap, or pommel, of the sword. This is located at the top of its grip, or hilt. The official pommel versions of Knights of Columbus swords are (1) an eagle or the bust of Christopher Columbus, the latter of which may be facing either (2) parallel or (3) perpendicular to the guard at the opposite end of the hilt.
A standard-issue Knights of Columbus sword has a black grip. However, swords with white grips are used by current or past Faithful Navigators (leaders of Fourth Degree assemblies).
There are several distinctive features to a Knights of Columbus sword, but the simplest way to identify one is to look at the cap, or pommel, of the sword. This is located at the top of its grip, or hilt. The official pommel versions of Knights of Columbus swords are (1) an eagle or the bust of Christopher Columbus, the latter of which may be facing either (2) parallel or (3) perpendicular to the guard at the opposite end of the hilt.
A standard-issue Knights of Columbus sword has a black grip. However, swords with white grips are used by current or past Faithful Navigators (leaders of Fourth Degree assemblies).
There are several distinctive features to a Knights of Columbus sword, but the simplest way to identify one is to look at the cap, or pommel, of the sword. This is located at the top of its grip, or hilt. The official pommel versions of Knights of Columbus swords are (1) an eagle or the bust of Christopher Columbus, the latter of which may be facing either (2) parallel or (3) perpendicular to the guard at the opposite end of the hilt.
A standard-issue Knights of Columbus sword has a black grip. However, swords with white grips are used by current or past Faithful Navigators (leaders of Fourth Degree assemblies).
There are several distinctive features to a Knights of Columbus sword, but the simplest way to identify one is to look at the cap, or pommel, of the sword. This is located at the top of its grip, or hilt. The official pommel versions of Knights of Columbus swords are (1) an eagle or the bust of Christopher Columbus, the latter of which may be facing either (2) parallel or (3) perpendicular to the guard at the opposite end of the hilt.
A standard-issue Knights of Columbus sword has a black grip. However, swords with white grips are used by current or past Faithful Navigators (leaders of Fourth Degree assemblies).
There are several distinctive features to a Knights of Columbus sword, but the simplest way to identify one is to look at the cap, or pommel, of the sword. This is located at the top of its grip, or hilt. The official pommel versions of Knights of Columbus swords are (1) an eagle or the bust of Christopher Columbus, the latter of which may be facing either (2) parallel or (3) perpendicular to the guard at the opposite end of the hilt.
A standard-issue Knights of Columbus sword has a black grip. However, swords with white grips are used by current or past Faithful Navigators (leaders of Fourth Degree assemblies).


Version 1 (1900-1920): Eagle; gift of Dr. H. Griffin, MD, Supreme Physician, 1966-1984
Version 2 (1910-1920): Bust of Columbus (parallel to guard); gift of Richard C. Buehrle
Version 3 (1920-present): Bust of Columbus, (perpendicular to guard); gift of the Swift family
Version 1 (1900-1920): Eagle; gift of Dr. H. Griffin, MD, Supreme Physician, 1966-1984
Version 2 (1910-1920): Bust of Columbus (parallel to guard); gift of Richard C. Buehrle
Version 3 (1920-present): Bust of Columbus, (perpendicular to guard); gift of the Swift family
Version 1 (1900-1920): Eagle; gift of Dr. H. Griffin, MD, Supreme Physician, 1966-1984
Version 2 (1910-1920): Bust of Columbus (parallel to guard); gift of Richard C. Buehrle
Version 3 (1920-present): Bust of Columbus, (perpendicular to guard); gift of the Swift family
Version 1 (1900-1920): Eagle; gift of Dr. H. Griffin, MD, Supreme Physician, 1966-1984
Version 2 (1910-1920): Bust of Columbus (parallel to guard); gift of Richard C. Buehrle
Version 3 (1920-present): Bust of Columbus, (perpendicular to guard); gift of the Swift family
Version 1 (1900-1920): Eagle; gift of Dr. H. Griffin, MD, Supreme Physician, 1966-1984
Version 2 (1910-1920): Bust of Columbus (parallel to guard); gift of Richard C. Buehrle
Version 3 (1920-present): Bust of Columbus, (perpendicular to guard); gift of the Swift family