What I like about this book is it's honesty. It paints the picture of what it was like to be a Roman Catholic Priest in the 1880s New England.
Fr. Michael McGivney saw a need and moved to fill that by founding the Knights of Columbus fraternal benefit society. This well known lay organization of 1.8 million Catholic men offers life insurance benefits and gives millions of dollars and hours each year to charity.
He was hard working. He tended to his parish with dedication, love of God and love of Church and, he tended to the community. He directed volunteer benefit plays, ministered to the sick and imprisoned and delicately gave spiritual support to anyone who asked.
He succombed at age 38 to "priest fever", a combination of overwork, weakened immune system and complications from pneumonia and the flu. It was not uncommon.
He drew himself up big in founding the Knights of Columbus and then returned to his calling as a parish priest, quietly serving. He is being considered for canonization. I think his cause is well deserved. A great read, well researched and written book.
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