The Beatification of Blessed Michael McGivney... and Another Mini Miracle?

When I first heard about the Beatification of Fr. Michael McGivney, I thought longingly about what it would be like to attend the monumental event. Knowing the impact that this simple parish priest had on the world during his 38 years on earth, his deep commitment to the struggling immigrant population, and his action to help provide for families in need by founding the Knights of Columbus. In musing over his life of heroic Faith, I began praying to him.

There was never any specific intention, only that he would pray for my family and that God's Will would be done in our lives.

Weeks had passed, and life went on until 3 days before the event when something incredible happened.

The phone rang.

The voice on the other end of the line uttered words I couldn't believe I was hearing, "Would you be available to cover the events of the Beatification Michael McGivney in New Haven?" My heart stopped. And before I knew it, I was speeding my way to the nutmeg state with a car full of gear and a sense of complete wonder.

I'd never been to New Haven before. I didn't even know that Yale University was there.

As the events came and went, the flurry of activity of photographing, editing, and sending in the images, it all became a blur. Until a man knelt down beside the tomb of Blessed Michael Mcgivney and bowed his head in prayer…that man was Daniel Schachle. I didn't know all that much about the miracle that led to the Beatification moving forward. Okay, I didn't know anything about it. But one evening, the couple who had prayed to and received the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney gave their testimony after leading the gathered in praying the Rosary.

I listened to the beautiful story of how a couple expecting their 13th, yes 13th child had received a diagnosis no expectant parent ever wants to hear. The child would not survive the pregnancy. The unborn child they named Benedict or 'Baby Ben' was diagnosed with Down's syndrome coupled with fetal hydrops, a fatal condition in which fluids build up around the organs. Combined, they were a death sentence. The father, Daniel Schachle, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and his expectant wife Michelle turned to Fr. Michael McGivney as they had many times before. And Fr. McGivney came to their aid, as he had done for so many struggling parents in his lifetime.

At Michelle's next ultrasound, the Doctor began to discuss the unborn child's care once he was delivered. In an interview with CNA, she recalled, "And so I just looked at her, and I said, 'Doctor, I was told there was no hope.'" After further diagnosis, it was determined that the life threatening condition of fetal hydrops had simply vanished. A miracle occurred. The unborn child would live. "I just remember weeping and saying, 'His name is Michael,'" said Michelle. "And we never called him Ben after that." She told CNA.

And on May 15, 2015, the anniversary of the first chartering of the Knights of Columbus, Michael McGivney Schachle, was born. Throughout the events of the Beatification, I encountered little Michael, his parents, and siblings frequently. They even asked me to take a photograph of them for their Christmas Card in front of a massive portrait of Blessed Michael McGivney.

As the weekend events concluded and I loaded my gear into the car for the long ride home, I began to reflect on the experience. To gaze into the eyes of the beautiful little boy whose life was miraculously redeemed of the terminal illness from which he suffered; to stand beside the parents whose prayers had brought about the Hand of God interrupting the natural order to bring healing, and to stand beside the tomb of the parish priest whose intercession on their behalf brought this to be… I had a direct encounter with a miracle.

I thank God and Blessed Michael McGiveny for the chance to witness in a very tangible way what Faith looks like, what answered prayers look like, and a miracle looks like…

And perhaps in a small way, there was another miracle that occurred.

The very fact that I was there to see it all.

Blessed Michael Mcgivney, please pray for us.

By: Jeffrey Bruno