‘A Gift to Others’

May 12, 2026

The McGivney Fellowship, a two-year leadership formation program, celebrates its inaugural graduating class

By Cecilia Engbert

May 12, 2026

The inaugural graduating class of the McGivney Fellowship stands outside St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., following a Mass on May 2 celebrating their completion of the program. In the front row, from left, are Father Michael Dolan, pastor of Blessed Michael McGivney Parish in New Haven; Michael Phelan, director of fraternal leadership development; Joseph McInerney, vice president of leadership and ethics training at the Knights; Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly; and Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch, director of chaplains and spiritual development. (Photo by Jessica Hill)

The inaugural class of McGivney Fellows graduated from a two-year leadership formation program during a Mass and ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, on May 2.

The McGivney Fellowship, named in honor of Blessed Michael McGivney, is a selective leadership formation experience designed for faithful, engaged Knights of Columbus who demonstrate spiritual depth and leadership potential. Through monthly formation sessions, guided reading and dialogue, nearly 50 men were formed in principles of Christian leadership to apply in their councils, parishes, families and workplaces.

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, who delivered the commencement speech, praised the graduates for their commitment to the program, encouraging them to remain firm in their call to leadership — within their families, councils and workplaces.

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly delivers the keynote address during the McGivney Fellowship graduation at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., on May 2. (Photo by Jessica Hill)

“We live in a time of plummeting trust in our institutions,” the supreme knight said. “There are many reasons for this, but one of the biggest is undeniable: There are just too few virtuous leaders. There are too few good men who have proven themselves capable and worthy of trust.”

Through the McGivney Fellowship, he continued, men are equipped to become trustworthy leaders.

“You are well prepared to show the way forward in a world in which so many people seem to be simply lost or rudderless,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “Over the last two years, you have been given an extraordinary gift, and the point of this gift is to hand it on. Your training in this program has not simply been solely about you. … The goal is to make yourself, with all your talents and abilities, a gift to others.”

Preceding the graduation ceremony, participants joined Knights of Columbus leaders for a vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Church, the birthplace of the Order. In his homily, Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch, director of chaplains and spiritual development, reflected on Acts 6:1-7 and compared the McGivney Fellows to the early followers of Christ.

“There’s always a cost to being in relationship to God. … That cost is the mission that we’re called to do,” he said. Father McGivney, he added, recognized “how every single baptized man, woman, child is called to live this in a new way, to be Christ’s witnesses in the world, and in so doing, he founded our great Order so that more men could continue to live and adhere to the faith.”

Knights of Columbus leaders pray at the tomb of Blessed Michael McGivney — Dominican Father Jonathan Kalisch (center) leads Knights of Columbus leaders and McGivney Fellows in prayer at the tomb of Blessed Michael McGivney in St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., on May 2. (Photo by Jessica Hill)

Miguel Flores, a field agent in North Carolina and a McGivney Fellow, delivered the valedictorian address, reminding his fellow graduates of their duty to be leaders in the faith — in the same manner as the Twelve Apostles.

“We have no choice but to bear fruit, because we are compelled by truth, and truth has a name, and that is Jesus Christ,” Flores said. “The spiritual stakes are too high for us to fail. The stage is set and the need for true, authentic, Christ-centered leaders is now more relevant than ever. … The Knights of Columbus has prepared some of its most extraordinary men to go out and proclaim to other men that there is hope, there is hope for today’s men to serve Jesus Christ in these chaotic times.”

The fellowship program begins each year with an in-person conference, followed by seven monthly virtual formation sessions. Between sessions, fellows engage in guided reading and reflection while fostering fraternity and accountability through small-group dialogue. To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must be members of the Knights who have been recommended by their state deputies.

State Secretary Christopher Chen of British Columbia, who has been part of the fellowship program since the pilot launched in 2023, said the experience offered a refreshing approach to leadership formation, particularly through its emphasis on the virtue of magnanimity coupled with humility.

“I hope to bring succession planning to both the Knights and my home parish to assist new leaders who can develop their skills while bringing fresh ideas to the table,” Chen said. “I plan to see this through for many decades to come to ensure proper training and guidance is passed down to my successors and to demonstrate that leadership can be effective when it is Christ-centered.”

State Secretary Christopher Chen of British Columbia receives his certificate of completion for the McGivney Fellowship program during a ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., on May 2. (Photo by Jessica Hill)

For Trent Schafer, grand knight of St. John Neumann Council 18256 in Las Vegas, the fellowship not only provided a unique and comprehensive view of the Order and its mission of service but also guided his own spiritual development as a young leader.

“Through the program, you really understand why the Knights do what they do,” Schafer said. “It’s helped me in my life, even outside the Knights, to discern my own vocation, and really to focus on my relationship with God. And I think that’s the most important thing: Anybody who goes through the program will have a radically different relationship with God.”

Applications for the next cohort of McGivney Fellows are now open, and those who are interested should connect with their state deputy or learn more at kofc.org/mcgivneyfellowship.

*****

CECILIA ENGBERT is a content producer for the Knights of Columbus communications department.

‘A Gift to Others’

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