The potential cause for sainthood of former Christendom College Athletics Director Tom Vander Woude took an important step forward this past week, with Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington issuing an edict asking the faithful in the diocese to submit any information that should be considered as the diocese continues its investigation. The edict is the first public notification that a cause for canonization is being considered, marking a significant moment both in the history of the diocese and of Christendom College.
“We see in the life and death of Thomas Vander Woude a sincere response to the Christian call to sainthood,” says Bishop Burbidge. “As heroic as were the circumstances of Thomas Vander Woude’s death, this husband and father showed in a profound way that sanctity is to be sought first and foremost through personal faithfulness in daily life and to a consistent and sincere yes to God in the circumstances of one’s vocation and responsibilities.”
Vander Woude died on September 8, 2008, in a tragic accident at his home in Nokesville, Virginia, while saving his 19-year-old son, Joseph, who had fallen into the family’s septic tank. His heroic death has inspired people around the world in the 18 years since his passing, ultimately leading to a group forming the Tom Vander Woude Guild to promote his cause for sainthood this past year.
The Diocese of Arlington has been investigating Vander Woude’s life and potential cause for sainthood, working with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome. In the Catholic Church, a cause for canonization may proceed on the basis of martyrdom, heroic virtue, or the “offering of life,” a pathway formally established by Pope Francis in 2017. Vander Woude falls most especially under this third path, leading to the diocesan investigation.
“We therefore invite all the faithful to communicate directly or to submit to the Reverend Monsignor Paul deLadurantaye, Chancellor of the Diocese of Arlington, all information from which elements favorable or contrary to the reputation for holiness, the offering of life, or the reputation for signs of Thomas Stephen Vander Woude may be inferred,” wrote Bishop Burbidge in the edict.
The edict also calls for the collection of Vander Woude’s personal writings and other documents that could be relevant to the investigation.
“Furthermore, in accordance with the applicable canonical provisions, all writings attributed to Thomas Stephen Vander Woude, including diaries, letters, correspondence, manuscripts, notes, and any other private writings, as well as documents in any way relevant to the Cause, must be collected. Therefore, by means of this Edict, we direct anyone possessing such writings or documents who has not already delivered them to the Postulator to submit them with due diligence to the Reverend Monsignor Paul deLadurantaye, Chancellor, at the offices of the Diocese of Arlington.”
The edict will remain posted for three months at the offices of the Diocesan Curia, the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville. It is also available through the Diocese of Arlington and the Arlington Catholic Herald.
Anyone with information about Vander Woude, including potential favors received through his intercession, is encouraged to submit it in writing, signed and dated, to Msgr. Paul deLadurantaye, Chancellor, Diocese of Arlington, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 917, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
“This is a big step in the process,” said Chris Vander Woude ’02, former Dean of Students, the fifth of Tom’s seven sons, and a board member of the Tom Vander Woude Guild, in an interview with the Arlington Catholic Herald.
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