Latest News and Updates

December 2023 Updates
On November 17, 2023, the Board of Directors met with Fathers Walsh and Oetjen (see Newsletter #4) to discuss the priorities for moving forward with Tom Vander Woude’s Cause. The clarification of certain processes by Fr. Oetjen, and the initial diocesan needs for the opening of Tom’s Cause were extremely helpful. We all reviewed the various “prayer favors” that had been submitted so far and decided to select at least two or three to pursue in detail. The documentation and appropriate witness testimonies would be collected and transcribed by the tribunal should it become necessary at this preliminary stage. Two critical steps will be to:

October 2023 Updates
Yesterday, 10/23/2023, we again received highly awaited news from the Diocese. Two very talented and highly educated priests have been asked and have accepted an additional task to assist the Guild in their efforts to support Tom Vander Woude’s Cause. Bishop Burbidge has a great interest in the possibility of Tom Vander Woude being designated a Servant Of God and is very grateful for two of his priest’s willingness to assist in the process. Both assisting priests have been “Roman Schooled” in pertinent disciplines which will be extremely helpful to the Cause. Fr. Kevin Walsh, the current pastor of Precious Blood Catholic Church in Culpeper,

August 2023 Updates
Yesterday, 8/4/2023, we received a highly awaited phone call from the Diocese stating that Bishop Burbidge is requesting that the Board Members of the Tom Vander Woude Guild meet with the Vicar General of the Diocese. This meeting is to discuss, clarify, and proceed with the “next practical step(s)” in the process of Thomas S. Vander Woude being designated a Servant of God. The meeting will be scheduled for some mutually acceptable time in September. There are still many steps and much work that must be done which would allow sufficient information for Bishop Burbidge to thoughtfully and prayerfully be able to make a decision

April 2023 Updates
We have received several “prayer favors” recently. I’m sharing one of them with you in this newsletter because it was not only amazing to the person involved but also to those at the Guild. There are several more “prayer favors” for you to read on the website: tvwguild.org Peter’s Prayer Favor Peter was not in Virginia when Tom Vander Woude died. He was taking care of his mother in Colorado. The farm where she lived was in the flat and dry area of that state. Shortly after Tom’s death, Peter received a call from his sister telling him about the death of Tom and the

January 2023 Updates
Early last year, while having lunch with Fr. Jerome Fasano, I first heard about both Tom Vander Woude and Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio of July 2017 regarding “the offer of life” – a new Cause for Sainthood. After reading about Tom’s life, his death, and his son Joseph (Josie), I knew then, Tom must be a saint. After a second lunch with Fr. Fasano, it became clear that God was opening a door and allowing me to make a choice. Either forget about all I had read and thought about or take that first step through the open door and enter a world I knew