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 The most significant and solemn of all Knights of Columbus centennial observances at St. Mary's Church was the re-entombment of the body of the founder, Father Michael J. McGivney. The move of Father McGivney's body from old St. Joseph's Cemetery in Waterbury was one carefully delineated by canonical and civil law. It was accomplished with the approval of the Holy See at the request of the Archbishop of Hartford and with the consent of the priest's living relatives. Former Supreme Knight, Virgil C. Dechant described the event:  The
proceedings began with a prayer by Dominican Fr. James J. Cunningham,
pastor of St. Mary's Church . . .The Supreme Officers and the state
deputy of Connecticut were present. . .The remains were found in a
coffin within a brick vault. . .Possibly because of the brick vault,
the remains were remarkable well preserved. The name plate on the
casket identified the remains as those of Father McGivney.  Among the
items recovered was the crucifix and some of the beads of the rosary
which had been placed in Fr. McGivney's hand at the time of burial.
. .To our amazement his priestly rabat and brown scapular, including
the strings, were in excellent condition. . .Before the re-entombment
the remains were clothed in white vestments decorated with a purple
cross and an embroidery of the Blessed Virgin on a blue background.
Then the remains were placed in a sealed double bronze coffin within a polished granite sarcophagus at the rear nave of St. Mary's. Special prayers were led by Archbishop Whealon, who presided at the interment.
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