A photograph of Pope Francis stands beside a temporary exhibit honoring his papacy in the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, New Haven. On the left, visitors can write messages in a memorial tribute book. PHOTO BY AARON JOSEPH
Story by Karen A. Avitabile
“Thanks for supporting the humanitarian efforts around the world.”
“Your work of love, selfless sacrifice, peace will live on. Rest in perfect peace Pope Francis.”
“Thank you, Pope Francis, for all that you believe in.”
These are among several heartfelt written messages included in a memorial tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center in New Haven.
Pope Francis, 88, died on April 21 and was buried on Saturday. The conclave to elect the next pope will convene on May 7, the Vatican has announced.
At the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, portraits of Pope Francis are graced by dozens of white roses in the lobby and in its Papal Gallery.
“This is a tribute to him and an opportunity for visitors to do the same,” says Peter Sonski, manager of education and outreach for the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center. “It has been our practice to honor popes at their death.”
Pope Francis played a significant role in advancing the cause of sainthood for Blessed Michael J. McGivney, a parish priest from New Haven who is being considered for sainthood.
In 1882, Blessed McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. He died of pneumonia when he was 38 years old.
Blessed McGivney moved a step closer to possible sainthood after Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to his intercession in May 2020. He was beatified on Oct. 31, 2020, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.
Through May 4, visitors to the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center are invited to leave a written tribute in its register of condolence and to view other items in both temporary and permanent exhibits related to Pope Francis and other late pontiffs.
On display in the temporary exhibit for Pope Francis are some items presented to the Knights of Columbus during the 12 years of Pope Francis’ pontificate.
These items include: an apostolic letter, a papal brief, a letter and holy cards to Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, a resolution on the 10th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis, a rosary blessed by the pope and a book published to mark the first anniversary of the pope’s “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to Rome and the world in an empty St. Peter’s Square as the coronavirus pandemic swept the world.
In addition, visitors to the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center can walk through the permanent Papal Gallery which recounts the relationship between the Vatican and the Knights of Columbus during the organization’s 143-year history.
An array of artwork, archival materials, artifacts, commemorative papal medallions and photographs are featured items in the Papal Gallery.
“The Knights of Columbus has enjoyed a close relationship with the Hoy See since almost its existence,” Sonski says.
Located at 1 State St., in New Haven, the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center welcomes visitors Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is free admission and parking in the lot beneath the building. For more information, call 203.865.0400 or visit michaelmcgivneycenter.org.
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