No Greater Love: The Heroic Story of Tom Vander Woude

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 18th as Chris Vander Woude tells the story of his Arlington Diocese father’s heroic death and his Cause for Canonization.

On September 8, 2008, Tom Vander Woude was preparing to winterize the above-ground pool on his Virginia farm with his youngest son, Joseph “Josie”. Then he noticed something very wrong. Josie—who has Down syndrome and was 20-years-old—was not in sight nor was the top to the septic tank. Tom ran to his son, and found that Josie had fallen in. The metal which had been covering the 2×2 top opening to the large tank had given way. The tank was some 6-7’ deep and Tom’s son was struggling in the sewage. Tom called to the workman, who was working on the house that day, to tell his wife and Josie’s mom, Mary Ellen, to call 911. Tom knew that unless he acted quickly, his son would either die from lack of oxygen due to the toxic gases in the tank or would drown in the muck. Then Tom did what every father hopes they can do in that situation, he jumped in.

Once in the septic tank, Tom tried to lift Josie out of the tank with the help of the workman who was pulling Josie from above the tank. The methane and other deadly gases were strong, with almost no fresh air to breath below the opening. Tom yelled to the workman, “You pull, and I’ll push.” With his last words he tried again to get under Josie to lift him when Tom passed out from gases and sunk below, still somehow propping his son up.

When Mary Ellen arrived after calling 911, all she could do was to help the workman hold her son up with a strap under his arms, knowing that her husband, the love of her life and her partner in God’s plan, lay below giving his life to save their son.

When the paramedics arrived, they immediately pulled out and began treating Josie. They then pulled the lifeless body of Tom out—but despite their attempts, God had already called Tom to Himself.

Tom had died while freely, and lovingly gave up his life so that his son could live!

Please register to attend this program about Tom Vander Woude either in-person or virtually through a livestream. To learn more about Tom’s cause for canonization, visit the Tom Vander Woude Guild.

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

RSVP today!