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No Greater Love: The Heroic Story of Tom Vander Woude

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

6:30 pm EST - 8:00 pm EST

Catholic Information Center

1501 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20005 United States

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Description

In 2017, Pope Francis approved a new path to sainthood: the offering of one’s life in an act of heroic charity.​ And you’re invited to join the CIC on Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30 PM as Chris Vander Woude tells the story of his Arlington Diocese father’s heroic death and his Cause for Canonization.

Tom gave his life to save his youngest son, Joseph, who has Down Syndrome. Joseph had fallen into a septic tank. And without hesitation, Tom jumped in after him, lifting up his son so he could breathe.

This selfless act of fatherly love exemplifies Christ’s teaching that “No greater love has a man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).

11/18/2026 Schedule:

  • 6:15 pm: Doors open for registrant check-in
  • 6:30 pm: Chris Vander Woude presents “No Greater Love” (this portion of the evening will be offered both in-person and virtually via a livestream)
  • 7:30 pm: Light happy (half) hour social
  • 8:00 pm: Evening Concludes

Please RSVP to attend this program either in-person or virtually through a livestream.


To learn more about Tom’s cause for canonization, visit the Tom Vander Woude Guild.

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About the Speaker

Chris Vander Woude is the fifth of Tom and Mary Ellen’s seven sons, and he now carries the story of his father’s life and death across the country, as well as sharing the process towards canonization that began this year with the assignment of a postulator in Rome.

Chris is devoting the next two years of his life to spread awareness about his father’s story through his work for the Tom Vander Woude Guild.

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