New Sainthood Cause for Heroic Dad Thomas Vander Woude Moves Forward as Virginia Bishop Publishes Edict
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, is promulgating an edict inviting the faithful to make known any useful information they may have regarding the Cause of Mr. Thomas Vander Woude. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has received a request that a Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Mr. Thomas Stephen Vander Woude, a husband and father, who offered his life to save his intellectually disadvantaged youngest son from drowning in a septic tank on the family’s farm in Nokesville, Virginia, be introduced in this Diocese.
Tom's Powerful Story On September 8, 2008, Tom while preparing to winterize the above-ground pool with his son Joseph noticed something very wrong. His youngest Joseph, who has Down syndrome, was not in sight nor was the top to the septic tank. Tom running to his 20 year old found his son had fallen in. The metal which had been covering the 2×2 top opening to the large tank had given way. The tank was some 6-7’ deep and Tom’s son (known as Josie) was struggling in the sewage. Tom called to the workman who was working on the house that day to tell Mary Ellen (Tom’s wife) to call 911. Tom knew that unless he acted quickly, his son would either die from lack of oxygen due to the toxic gases in the tank or would drown in the muck. Then he did what every father hopes they can do in that situation, he jumped in. Once in the septic tank Tom tried to lift Josie out of the tank with the help of the workman who was pulling from above the tank. The methane and other deadly gases were strong, with almost no fresh air to breath below the opening. Tom yelled to the workman helping, “You pull and I’ll push.” With his last words he tried again to get under Joseph to lift him when he passed out from gases and sunk below, still somehow propping Joseph up. When Tom’s wife, Mary Ellen arrived after calling 911 all she could do was to help the workman hold Joseph up with a strap under his arms, knowing that her husband, the love of her life, her partner in God’s plan lay below giving his life to save their son. When the paramedics arrived, they immediately pulled out and began treating Joseph. They then pulled the lifeless body of Tom out but despite their attempts, God had already called Tom to Himself. Tom had died while freely and lovingly giving up his life so that his son could live!
Edict of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Concerning Thomas Stephen Vander Woude
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has received a request that a Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Mr. Thomas Stephen Vander Woude, a husband and father, who offered his life to save his intellectually disadvantaged youngest son from drowning in a septic tank on the family’s farm in Nokesville, Virginia, be introduced in this Diocese.
Thomas Stephen Vander Woude (April 24, 1942 – September 8, 2008) was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. From his early years, he demonstrated notable qualities of prudence, fortitude, charity, humility, and a profound sense of responsibility toward others, especially within his family. Throughout his life, he remained deeply devoted to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, daily prayer, and the life of the Church. His reputation for holiness has spread particularly because of the extraordinary coherence between his daily Christian life and his final act of self-sacrificial love, which took place on September 8, 2008, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On that day, Thomas Vander Woude freely and unhesitatingly gave his life while attempting to save his youngest son, Joseph, who had fallen into a septic tank on the family farm. Joseph survived; Thomas Vander Woude died in the act of rescuing him.
“We see in the life and death of Thomas Vander Woude a sincere response to the Christian call to sainthood,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said. “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.”
As part of the process of Beatification and Canonization, by means of an Edict posted at the Chancery offices and churches throughout the Diocese, as well as in the Arlington Catholic Herald and on diocesan social media, the faithful of the Diocese are invited to make known any useful information they may have regarding the Cause, whether favorable or unfavorable. Such information, especially concerning potential favors received through Thomas Vander Woude’s intercession, should be in written form, signed and dated and sent to the Reverend Monsignor Paul F. deLadurantaye, Chancellor, Diocese of Arlington, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 917, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
In his Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exultate of March 19, 2018, Pope Francis wrote, “I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families…Very often it is a holiness found in our next-door neighbors, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence” (GE 7).
Thomas Vander Woude’s witness of Christian virtue and willingness to lay down his life for his son, together with the above-noted reputation for holiness, appear to be clear signs of the importance of the Cause to the Diocese of Arlington and the Church universal. His life reflects the universal call to holiness proclaimed by the Church. His death, an unmistakable act of sacrificial love, invites the faithful not only to admire his example but also to seek his intercession.
View the Edict of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
September 10, 2026
Edict of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Concerning Thomas Stephen Vander Woude
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has received a request that a Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Mr. Thomas Stephen Vander Woude, a husband and father, who offered his life to save his intellectually disadvantaged youngest son from drowning in a septic tank on the family’s farm in Nokesville, Virginia, be introduced in this Diocese.
Thomas Stephen Vander Woude (April 24, 1942 – September 8, 2008) was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. From his early years, he demonstrated notable qualities of prudence, fortitude, charity, humility, and a profound sense of responsibility toward others, especially within his family. Throughout his life, he remained deeply devoted to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, daily prayer, and the life of the Church. His reputation for holiness has spread particularly because of the extraordinary coherence between his daily Christian life and his final act of self-sacrificial love, which took place on September 8, 2008, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On that day, Thomas Vander Woude freely and unhesitatingly gave his life while attempting to save his youngest son, Joseph, who had fallen into a septic tank on the family farm. Joseph survived; Thomas Vander Woude died in the act of rescuing him.
“We see in the life and death of Thomas Vander Woude a sincere response to the Christian call to sainthood,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said. “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.”
As part of the process of Beatification and Canonization, by means of an Edict posted at the Chancery offices and churches throughout the Diocese, as well as in the Arlington Catholic Herald and on diocesan social media, the faithful of the Diocese are invited to make known any useful information they may have regarding the Cause, whether favorable or unfavorable. Such information, especially concerning potential favors received through Thomas Vander Woude’s intercession, should be in written form, signed and dated and sent to the Reverend Monsignor Paul F. deLadurantaye, Chancellor, Diocese of Arlington, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 917, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
In his Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exultate of March 19, 2018, Pope Francis wrote, “I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families…Very often it is a holiness found in our next-door neighbors, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence” (GE 7).
Thomas Vander Woude’s witness of Christian virtue and willingness to lay down his life for his son, together with the above-noted reputation for holiness, appear to be clear signs of the importance of the Cause to the Diocese of Arlington and the Church universal. His life reflects the universal call to holiness proclaimed by the Church. His death, an unmistakable act of sacrificial love, invites the faithful not only to admire his example but also to seek his intercession.
View the Edict of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
September 10, 2026
Source: https://tvwguild.org/his-story/
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