In 2008, Tom Vander Woude died saving the life of his youngest son. But this radical self-gift was really the culmination of a quiet life of daily virtue with a heart of faith.
Chris Vander Woude, the fifth of Tom and Mary Ellen’s seven sons, 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 joins us today to speak about fatherhood and the extraordinary man who exemplified it for him.
Chris invites you to reach out to him at 5thvwson@gmail.com or info@tvwguild.org.
Chapters:
4:50 The life of Tom Vander Woude
7:34 His sacrificial death
17:17 His character
23:23 Physical strength: one’s readiness for action
28:52 Faith: one’s trust and mission
39:18 Fatherhood and Down syndrome
50:52 Father of seven sons: tandem work
1:00:10 Tom’s discipline: priorities and good humor
1:04:39 Hosting and friend culture
1:07:44 Tom as a husband
1:13:03 Balancing family and community
1:17:22 Towards canonization
1:28:44 “Man fully alive”
Links:
Tom Vander Woude Guild, website
A Father’s Sacrifice, video interviews with the Vander Woude family
The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You into the Heart of God by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, featuring Tom Vander Woude’s story
Tragedy at Rattlesnake Falls: Opus Dei Mourns the Drowning of Three of Its Members, National Catholic Register, 3 July 2025
Also on the Forum:
Forming Families, Forming Saints featuring Fr. Carter Griffin
Living Simplicity featuring Joe Cardenas and Nate Gadiano
To the Glory of God and the Memory of Emil Beer by Mark Grannis
Featured opportunities:
Convivium for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 13-15, 2025)