Fargo Diocese priest awarded Blessed Michael McGivney medal

The Very Reverend Chad Wilhelm, pastor of St. James Basilica in Jamestown, St. Margaret Mary in Buchanan, and St. Mathias in Windsor, is the 2023-2024 recipient of the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal. This award is given annually to a Knights of Columbus chaplain whose priestly zeal and exemplary service are in the finest traditions of Knights of Columbus founder Father Michael McGivney. The award was presented at the 142^nd Knights of Columbus International gathering held in Quebec City, Canada on Aug. 5. 

Father Wilhelm serves as the Knights of Columbus state chaplain for North Dakota, a position he has held for 27 consecutive years. Father Wilhelm also serves as the chaplain for Council #1883 in Jamestown. In addition to his pastoral work with Knights and their families, he is also a prolific recruiter, having earned multiple “Top Recruiter Awards” for the Knights in North Dakota. 

Father Wilhelm is an avid supporter of the parishes and Catholic schools he has served, bringing numerous improvements to facilities and founding local parish and school programs. He is also an avid supporter of whatever community he serves, advocating for local women’s pregnancy resource centers, and he goes above and beyond to protect life. Additionally, he has served as chaplain for local fire departments, Catholic Daughters, and the North Dakota State Highway Patrol. 

According to a press release from the Knights of Columbus, “Father Wilhelm is an exemplary model of a Catholic priest who is dedicated to his parishioners and brother Knights and spends himself in their service.”

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic fraternal benefit society founded in 1882 and now has more than 2.1 million members in over 16,800 local councils.