Tom Vander Woude: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 03:17, 24 January 2026 (view source) Tom (talk \| contribs) (Created page with "Tom Vander Woude (full name Thomas S. Vander Woude), a devout Catholic layman, husband, and father of seven sons from Nokesville (near Gainesville/Manassas), Virginia, in the Diocese of Arlington, is recognized for his heroic act of self-sacrifice on September 8, 2008 (the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary). According to eyewitness accounts and diocesan reports, while winterizing the family farm's pool, his 19-year-old son Joseph (who has Down syndrome...")		Revision as of 03:18, 24 January 2026 (view source) Tom (talk \| contribs) No edit summary Newer edit →
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	Tom Vander Woude (full name Thomas S. Vander Woude), a devout Catholic layman, husband, and father of seven sons from Nokesville (near Gainesville/Manassas), Virginia, in the Diocese of Arlington, is recognized for his heroic act of self-sacrifice on September 8, 2008 (the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary). According to eyewitness accounts and diocesan reports, while winterizing the family farm's pool, his 19-year-old son Joseph (who has Down syndrome) fell into the septic tank. Tom immediately jumped in, held Joseph above the toxic fumes and sewage to allow him to breathe, and instructed a farmhand to pull Joseph out while he pushed from below. Joseph was rescued, but Tom succumbed to the fumes and drowning, dying at age 66.		Tom Vander Woude (full name Thomas S. Vander Woude), a devout Catholic layman, husband, and father of seven sons from Nokesville (near Gainesville/Manassas), Virginia, in the Diocese of Arlington, is recognized for his heroic act of self-sacrifice on September 8, 2008 (the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary). According to eyewitness accounts and diocesan reports, while winterizing the family farm's pool, his 19-year-old son Joseph (who has Down syndrome) fell into the septic tank. Tom immediately jumped in, held Joseph above the toxic fumes and sewage to allow him to breathe, and instructed a farmhand to pull Joseph out while he pushed from below. Joseph was rescued, but Tom succumbed to the fumes and drowning, dying at age 66.

	Evidence from Catholic media (e.g., Catholic News Agency, Arlington Catholic Herald, National Catholic Register) and family testimonies indicates Tom lived an ordinary yet exemplary life of faith: raising seven sons (one of whom, Fr. Tom Vander Woude, became a priest), prioritizing the daily family Rosary, coaching youth sports, welcoming families into his home, supporting Catholic education (e.g., at Seton School), and demonstrating consistent charity and fatherly love. His death is seen as the culmination of a life of virtue, fitting the 2017 motu proprio of Pope Francis (Maiorem hac dilectionem) introducing "offer of life" (free and voluntary heroic acceptance of death propter caritatem—out of charity) as a path to sainthood, alongside martyrdom and heroic virtue.		Evidence from Catholic media (e.g., Catholic News Agency, Arlington Catholic Herald, National Catholic Register) and family testimonies indicates Tom lived an ordinary yet exemplary life of faith: raising seven sons (one of whom, Fr. Tom Vander Woude, became a priest), prioritizing the daily family Rosary, coaching youth sports, welcoming families into his home, supporting Catholic education (e.g., at Seton School), and demonstrating consistent charity and fatherly love. His death is seen as the culmination of a life of virtue, fitting the 2017 motu proprio of Pope Francis (Maiorem hac dilectionem) introducing "offer of life" (free and voluntary heroic acceptance of death propter caritatem—out of charity) as a path to sainthood, alongside martyrdom and heroic virtue.