An American priest who, like Pope Leo XIV, missioned for decades in South America is one step further along the path to possible sainthood.
"With gratitude to Almighty God, I am pleased to announce that I have been informed that the Theological Congress of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has concluded its review of the Cause for Canonization of Father Joseph Walijewski," Bishop Gerard W. Battersby of La Crosse, Wisconsin, said in a Nov. 9 statement.
Ordained in 1950 for the Diocese of La Crosse, Father Walijewski – whose canonization cause was opened in 2013, just seven years after his death in Peru in 2006 – served assignments as a parish priest there and for many years as a missionary priest in both Bolivia and Peru.
His life was marked by a deep devotion to the impoverished, as well as a determined, joyful commitment to his priestly ministry – particularly as a missionary – despite numerous obstacles.
Bishop Battersby said he had received the news Nov. 6, with the timing "especially providential" as he and others had gathered that evening to celebrate the priest's legacy, which included the founding of Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II, an orphanage in Peru modeled after Boys Town in the U.S.
The Catholic Church's process leading to canonization involves three major steps, after the formal opening of a sainthood cause, which gives the candidates the title "Servant of God." The first major step is the declaration of a person's heroic virtues, after which the church gives him or her the title "Venerable." Second is beatification, after which he or she is called "Blessed." The third step is canonization, or declaration of sainthood.
In general, beatification requires the verification of a miracle acquired through the candidate’s intercession. Canonization requires a second such miracle.
In 2018, the Diocese of La Crosse completed its diocesan inquiry into Father Walijewski's cause, forwarding its documentation to the Vatican dicastery.
In his statement, Bishop Battersby said the dicastery's nine-member theological congress had "carefully examined the documentation and theological considerations associated with the life, heroic virtue, reputation for holiness, and intercessory power" of the priest, who is currently has the title "Servant of God."
That examination led the theological congress members to "unanimously" return "a favorable vote, affirming the merits presented for their consideration," said Bishop Battersby.
Now, the cause will be forwarded to the dicastery's cardinal and bishop members, who in turn deem whether the dicastery prefect should present the cause to the pope.
"While additional steps remain, the favorable vote of the Theological Congress represents a noteworthy affirmation and source of encouragement," Bishop Battersby said in his statement. "It is a moment of thanksgiving for all who have worked diligently and prayed for the advancement of his Cause."
Msgr. Michael Gorman, chancellor of the Diocese of La Crosse, told OSV News that Father Walijewski was able to undertake his missionary efforts – including the development of Casa Hogar and a chapel at Villa El Salvador in Peru – "with nothing" in terms of material resources.
"People responded to what he was trying to do," said Msgr. Gorman, who was the episcopal delegate for the cause when it was opened at the diocesan level. "He was just so genuine and sincere, he made his case and he was able to do great things."
Msgr. Gorman said that Father Walijewski "saw what needed to be done, and he did what he could to do it."
That resolve was evident from the future priest's earliest days, when difficulties with academic studies in seminary – particularly with language requirements for Latin, Greek and French – led some formators to advise him against priesthood and instead seek a vocation as a religious brother.
His conviction about his priestly vocation ultimately saw him ordained and appointed assistant pastor at two parishes before his first missionary assignment in Bolivia. There, he literally hacked his way through the jungle alongside Santa Cruz Auxiliary Bishop Charles Brown to build Holy Cross Parish, where Father Walijewski served for a decade.
The priest returned to the Diocese of La Crosse for some five years before returning to South America, this time to Peru, in 1971. Almost a decade later, he was named pastor of Villa El Salvador Parish. Following a visit there, then Pope (later St.) John Paul II gave a $50,000 gift for work among the poor – a donation that the cardinal and clergy directed to Father Walijewski for the construction of Casa Hogar.
At age 76, the priest moved to live at Oxapampa, Peru, and established a home for the elderly there, with women religious staffing the facility. He also celebrated Sunday Mass for the Ashiko Indian communities of the rain forest.
Father Walijewski worked "right up until the end," said Msgr. Gorman, persisting amid "lots of obstacles" and "lots of mishaps along the way" – such as when building materials were damaged in transit or stolen.
The priest's maxim, "Don't worry; nothing will be all right," pointed to both his sense of humor and his humble trust in God, said Msgr. Gorman.
"He was basically saying, 'This isn't going to be easy. If it were up to me, it would be a total failure,'" explained Msgr. Gorman.
But with his strong faith, said the monsignor, Father Walijewski knew that "because it's God's work, it's going to succeed."
