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The U.S. Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, in the state of Wisconsin, released that Father Joseph Walijewski, formerly of the diocese, is now being considered for the process of canonization.
With gratitude to God, we share good news for our diocese and for all who love Father Joe.
Bishop Battersby announced Friday that the Theological Congress of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has completed its review of the Cause for Canonization of the Servant of God Father Joseph Walijewski... and that its nine theologians voted unanimously in favor.
What does that mean? A cause for sainthood moves through stages, and each one asks a harder question than the last. Years ago, here in La Crosse, witnesses gave sworn testimony about Father Joe’s life. That testimony, along with his letters and writings, was gathered into a lengthy study called the Positio, which argues that Father Joe lived the virtues of faith, hope, and love to a heroic degree. The Theological Congress is the body that reads that study most critically. Its task is to look for anything that would call the claim into question. Nine theologians read it, examined it, and found nothing wanting.
Their favorable vote now goes to the Cardinals and Bishops who are members of the Dicastery, and from them to the Holy Father. If the Pope approves the decree of heroic virtue, Father Joe will be declared “Venerable.” We are not there yet, and the Church teaches us patience in these matters. But a door that could have closed has instead opened, and the Cause enters a new phase with real momentum.
Who was Fr. Joe? Father Joe gave his priesthood to the poor of Bolivia and Peru, and his legacy continues through the children of Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II. (See Biography below the prayer) Sainthood is never earned by committee; it is recognized. What the Church does in these stages is simply confirm what so many who knew him have believed for years.
So we ask you to pray. Pray for the Cause, and pray through Father Joe’s intercession for your own needs and for those you love. If you receive a grace or favor you believe came through his prayers, please let us know. The road from Venerable to Blessed runs through exactly such answered prayers.
Prayer for the Cause of Father Joe:
Father Joseph Walijewski (widely known as Father Joe or Padre José) was a missionary priest from the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, who dedicated his life to serving the poor, building churches, and establishing homes for children in South America.
Early Life & Calling
Great Depression Roots: Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on March 15, 1924, Father Joe experienced severe economic hardship growing up. This instilled in him a deep empathy for the poor and marginalized.
Inspirations: As a young boy, receiving a banana from South America sparked a lifelong fascination with that continent. Later, watching the 1938 film Boys Town (featuring Spencer Tracy as Father Edward J. Flanagan) inspired his lifelong vision of working with and housing children in need.
Mother’s Three Wishes: His mother held three specific prayers: that he would become a priest named Joseph, that he would build a church named after St. Joseph, and that she would pass away on a St. Joseph feast day (March 19)—all of which were fulfilled.
Seminary Struggles & Priesthood
Overcoming Obstacles: Facing academic hurdles with classical languages and being turned away by his home diocese of Grand Rapids, Father Joe persevered through multiple seminaries.
The Promise: While studying at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan, he promised God that if he successfully made it to ordination, he would spend five years as a foreign missionary.
Ordination: Accepted by Bishop Alexander McGavick of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, he was ordained on April 16, 1950. A seminary professor famously defended him to the faculty, saying, "Joe Walijewski may not be the most intelligent priest, but he will be a holy priest."
Missionary Work in Bolivia & Peru
Bolivia (1956): Inspired by Pope Pius XII’s encyclical Fidei Donum, Father Joe headed to South America. Armed with a machete given by the local bishop, he hacked through the jungle to found the Parish of the Holy Cross in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, building a church, school, and rectory and serving there for a decade.
Peru & Villa El Salvador: Returning to missionary life in 1971, he eventually became the pastor of a sprawling, impoverished new barrio on the outskirts of Lima called Villa El Salvador, where he built the St. Joseph chapel that fulfilled his mother's second wish.
Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II: In 1986, he purchased five acres of land in Lurin, Peru, to establish an orphanage. Pope John Paul II later visited Peru and donated $50,000 to support his work among the poor, funds that helped launch the Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II orphanage, modeled after Father Flanagan’s Boys Town.
Later Years: Even into his 70s, Father Joe continued his ministry. After handing over the orphanage to younger clergy in 2000, he moved to Oxapampa, Peru, established a home for the elderly, and drove into the rainforest to celebrate Mass for indigenous communities.
Legacy and Passing
Father Joe passed away from pneumonia and acute leukemia on April 11, 2006, in Lima, Peru, after becoming ill shortly after celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at Casa Hogar. He died living out his lifelong wish—surrounded by and serving the poorest of the poor.
Though he often joked during stressful times by telling people, "Don't worry, nothing will be all right," his ultimate optimistic outlook on God's providence was summed up in his final words: "Don't worry, everything will be all right." Today, his cause for canonization is championed by the Father Joseph Walijewski Legacy Guild.
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