Servant of God Joseph Verbis Lafleur

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Servant of God Joseph Verbis Lafleur
Feast Day
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Military chaplains, prisoners of war, Cajun people
Birthplace	Ville Platte, Louisiana, United States
Death Place	South China Sea, near Mindanao, Philippines
Cause of Death	Martyrdom (killed in action)
Primary Shrine	St. Landry Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana

Joseph Verbis Lafleur ( (1912-01-24) 24 January 1912 – September 7, 1944) was an American Roman Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain who served heroically during World War II. A native of Ville Platte, Louisiana, he is remembered for his selfless acts as a prisoner of war (POW) under the Japanese, ultimately sacrificing his life to save others aboard the sinking SS Shinyo Maru in the South China Sea, near Mindanao, Philippines. Lafleur was posthumously awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses, two Purple Hearts, and a Bronze Star for his valor. Declared a Servant of God on September 5, 2020, by Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, his cause for canonization is advancing, supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2021.

Biography

Birth

Joseph Verbis Lafleur was born on January 24, 1912, in Ville Platte, Louisiana, to Agatha Dupre and Valentine Lafleur, the fourth of seven children in a devout Roman Catholic Cajun family. Raised in a rural, French-speaking community, young Joseph, known as “Joe,” expressed a desire to become a priest at age seven, serving as an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church in the Diocese. His early life was marked by hardship after his father abandoned the family, leaving Agatha to support her children through odd jobs and gardening.

The family’s move to Opelousas, Louisiana, in the early 1920s exposed Joseph to a vibrant Parish community at St. Landry Catholic Church, where Pastor A.B. Colliard recognized his potential and encouraged his vocation. Growing up during World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic, Lafleur’s faith was shaped by themes of sacrifice and resilience, reinforced by the cultural and spiritual richness of Cajun Louisiana.

Early Life

Joseph Lafleur’s early life in Ville Platte, Louisiana, was steeped in Cajun traditions and Roman Catholic faith. As a child, he attended Mount Carmel Academy and served as an altar boy, displaying a “joie de vivre” and strong sense of duty. After his father’s abandonment, the family’s move to Opelousas in 1926 placed him under the guidance of Pastor A.B. Colliard at St. Landry Catholic Church, who supported his aspiration to enter the priesthood. At age 14, Lafleur boldly approached Colliard, declaring, “Father, I want to become a priest. Can you help me?” This led to his enrollment at St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana, in 1927.

Lafleur spent six years at St. Joseph’s, earning the nickname “Frenchy” for his Cajun accent and heritage, before advancing to Notre Dame Major Seminary in New Orleans for five years of theological study. His time at these Seminaries was marked by good humor, academic diligence, and an unwavering commitment to his vocation, shaped by the challenges of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and the broader socio-economic struggles of the era. These experiences instilled in him a deep empathy for the suffering, preparing him for his later ministry.

Occupation

Before his ordination, Joseph Lafleur’s “occupation” was that of a Seminary student, dedicating 11 years to formation at St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary and Notre Dame Major Seminary. Ordained on April 2, 1938, by Archbishop Joseph Rummel in New Orleans, he celebrated his first Mass at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas on April 5, 1938. As assistant pastor at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville, Louisiana, he organized youth activities, coached sports, and founded a Boy Scout troop, earning community admiration.

In 1941, Lafleur joined the U.S. Army Air Corps as a chaplain, motivated by a desire to serve soldiers facing the looming threat of World War II. Assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group at Clark Field in the Philippines, he provided spiritual and practical support, administering sacraments and tending to the wounded during the Japanese attack on December 8, 1941. His later years as a POW saw him ministering tirelessly, building a chapel and sacrificing personal resources to aid fellow prisoners.

Vocation

Joseph Lafleur’s vocation as a priest was evident from childhood, solidified through his Seminary training and ordination in 1938. His early ministry at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville, Louisiana, focused on community engagement and youth ministry, reflecting his commitment to pastoral care. His decision to join the Army Air Corps in 1941 stemmed from a desire to serve soldiers, whom he saw as having “no choice” in their conscription. Stationed at Clark Field, Philippines, he ministered under extreme conditions, refusing evacuation to stay with his men.

As a POW from May 1942 to September 1944, Lafleur’s vocation shone through his selfless acts, including building a chapel named St. Peter in Chains, celebrating daily Mass, and advocating for prisoners’ needs, often enduring beatings for his efforts. His ministry converted nearly 200 service members to Catholicism, demonstrating his spiritual influence. His ultimate act of charity—helping others escape the sinking SS Shinyo Maru at the cost of his life—embodied the Christian ideal of self-sacrifice.

Death

Joseph Verbis Lafleur met his end through martyrdom on September 7, 1944, aboard the SS Shinyo Maru, a Japanese POW ship in the South China Sea, near Mindanao, Philippines. As the ship, unmarked as a POW vessel, was torpedoed by the USS Paddle, Lafleur refused to climb the ladder to safety, instead assisting fellow prisoners to escape under Japanese gunfire. Survivors recall him pushing men to the deck, saving at least 83 lives before the ship sank, claiming his life among over 700 others. His body was lost at sea.

Lafleur’s heroism earned him posthumous honors, including a second Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart in 2017, adding to earlier awards from 1942. His mother, Agatha, reportedly sensed his death when a pine tree she planted in 1927 died the same day. A monument at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, dedicated in 2007, commemorates his sacrifice.

Significant events

• Ordained a priest by Archbishop Joseph Rummel in New Orleans on April 2, 1938.
• Joined the U.S. Army Air Corps as a chaplain in 1941, assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group in the Philippines.
• Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart in 1942 for heroism during the Japanese attack on Clark Field.
• Built St. Peter in Chains chapel as a POW, ministering to prisoners from 1942 to 1944.
• Posthumously awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star in 2017 for actions aboard the SS Shinyo Maru.
• Declared a Servant of God on September 5, 2020, by Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel, opening his cause for canonization.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Ville Platte, Louisiana, United States
• Death location: South China Sea, near Mindanao, Philippines
• Notable location: Minor seminary training (St. Joseph's Minor Seminary, St. Benedict, Louisiana, United States)
• Notable location: Major seminary training (Notre Dame Major Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
• Notable location: First parish assignment (St. Mary Magdalen Church, Abbeville, Louisiana, United States)
• Notable location: Military chaplain service (Clark Field, Philippines)
• Notable location:

Parishes

Joseph Verbis Lafleur
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Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Joseph Verbis Lafleur as a Servant of God began in May 2012, with a committee formed in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. On September 5, 2020, Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel officially opened his cause for beatification and canonization, declaring him a Servant of God. The diocesan phase involves collecting testimonies, writings, and historical accounts to demonstrate Lafleur’s heroic virtue, led by a tribunal under the Diocese.

In June 2021, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki and Bishop Deshotel, held a canonical consultation, with 99% of over 300 bishops supporting the cause’s advancement. The Diocese is compiling documentation, including interviews and supernatural evidence, for submission to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Venerable

As of 2025, Joseph Verbis Lafleur has not been declared Venerable. The Diocese continues to document his life, with the diocesan phase ongoing to establish heroic virtue. Once completed, the findings will be submitted to the Vatican for review, and a papal proclamation could declare him Venerable if his life exemplifies the theological and cardinal virtues.

Beatification

Lafleur has not been beatified, and no miracle has been authenticated for this stage. The Diocese is actively seeking testimonies of miracles or favors attributed to Lafleur’s intercession, a requirement for beatification. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA expressed hope for the cause’s “rapid success” in 2021.

Canonization

Joseph Verbis Lafleur has not been canonized, as no miracles have been verified. A second miracle, typically required after beatification, must be authenticated by the Vatican. The Diocese encourages devotees to submit testimonies of favors or miracles to advance the cause.

Miracles

Miracle for beatification

No miracle has been officially authenticated for Joseph Verbis Lafleur’s beatification. The Diocese is collecting testimonies of alleged miracles or favors attributed to his intercession, as required for advancement to Blessed status. Devotees are encouraged to submit first-hand accounts of healings or supernatural events to the diocesan tribunal for investigation.

The absence of a verified miracle reflects the early stage of Lafleur’s cause. The Diocese emphasizes the importance of devotions and novenas to seek his intercession, which could lead to a miracle suitable for beatification. The process involves rigorous scientific and theological scrutiny by the Diocese and, if advanced, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Miracle for canonization

No second miracle has been reported or verified for Joseph Verbis Lafleur’s canonization. A second miracle, required after beatification, must be authenticated by the Vatican. The Diocese continues to solicit testimonies of favors or healings attributed to Lafleur to support this stage.

The ongoing nature of Lafleur’s cause means that potential miracles are still being investigated. Supporters remain hopeful that continued devotion will yield a verifiable miracle to advance his canonization.

Other notable miracles

• No other specific miracles have been officially documented or attributed to Joseph Verbis Lafleur’s intercession, though anecdotal reports of favors are being collected by the Diocese.

Patronage

Joseph Verbis Lafleur is considered a patron of military chaplains, prisoners of war, and Cajun people, reflecting his heroic service, imprisonment, and cultural heritage.

Feast day

As of 2025, Joseph Verbis Lafleur has not been assigned an official feast day, as he has not been beatified or canonized. His life is commemorated annually on September 7, the anniversary of his death, through a Memorial Mass at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana.

Veneration

Joseph Verbis Lafleur is venerated through annual Memorial Masses on September 7 at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, and through prayers and novenas promoted by the Diocese. A monument, sculpted by Franco Allessandrini and dedicated in 2007, stands outside St. Landry Catholic Church, depicting Lafleur aiding POWs on the SS Shinyo Maru. His relics, such as personal items, are venerated, though no first-class relics exist due to his body being lost at sea.

Lafleur’s legacy is depicted in a relief panel on the Catholic Chaplain’s Monument at Arlington National Cemetery, the only Louisiana native so honored. The book But He Dies Not: The Life, Faith, and Sacrifice of Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur (2010) by Peter and Suzanne Guerra and the website www.frverbislafleur.com promote his story. His veneration inspires military and Cajun communities, with a scholarship in his name at Opelousas Catholic High School.

Books

Written about the saint

• [https://www.amazon.com/But-He-Dies-Not-Sacrifice/dp/B0047T7U9S