5 Questions with ... Cause of Servant of God John McKniff
In our fourth installment of our "5 Questions with ... " interview series we have an interview with Fr. John Lyndon, O.S.A., speaking about the Cause of Servant of God Fr. John McKniff, who he personally knew. You can learn more about Servant of God John McKniff here on his page at American Saints and Causes. Thank you, Fr. John, for participating!
(If you are associated with a cause and would like to participate in our interview series, email us or use the form on our Contact Us page.)
American Saints and Causes: Would you please introduce yourself and how you became involved with the cause of Servant of God John McKniff?
Fr. John: I am Father John Lydon, OSA, and was a missionary in Peru for 40 years until 2023. While I lived in Chulucanas, Peru, I was living with Fr McKniff in the parish of San Jose Obrero. That is where I came to know him.
American Saints and Causes: For those who do not know him, who is Servant of God John McKniff? What can the faithful learn from his witness to Christ?
Fr. John: John McKniff, after completing studies in Rome where he received a doctorate, first went as a missionary to the Philippine Islands. There, while teaching in a classroom laboratory, he inhaled a gas that did great damage to his health. The doctors said he should return to the United States since he would soon die. When he returned, he completely recovered and was sent to the mission in Cuba, where he remained for several decades working in the parish in Havana del Cristo del Buen Viaje. In 1967, he was the last American Augustinian expelled from the Island by the Castro regime. Although he was now about 68 years old, he continued to have a great missionary zeal and asked to go to our missions in Chulucanas, Peru. He always was dedicated to the poorest members of society and wanted to minister in poor areas. That along with his zeal marked his identity.
American Saints and Causes: How has Servant of God John McKniff impacted you? How has he helped you live your faith?
Fr. John: He was a model religious in devotion to prayer and the Blessed Mother. He always put the poor in the forefront of his ministry, walking out long distances to visit villages and bring the Good News to isolated areas. Fr. McKniff was a great promoter of the Legion of Mary. Indeed he established more groups of the Legion in Peru than any other person. So that devotion was of great inspiration to all who knew him.
American Saints and Causes: What are the next steps for the cause? Is there a timeframe for when the Dicastery might review a positio for a potential decree of heroic virtues? Are there any potential miracles being evaluated that might lead to his beatification?
Fr. John: The diocesan phase was finished about a decade ago and everything was sent to Rome. He has been declared by the Church to be “Servant of God” [beginning the process towards being declared Venerable] which is a recognition of his heroic virtues. What is needed for beatification is a miracle that came about through his intercession.
American Saints and Causes: If someone wanted to help, how could they best support or assist the work of the cause?
Fr. John: People can spread the news of the model of holiness that was John McKniff and recommend him as a person to ask for intercession when a miracle might be needed in a person’s life.
Thanks again, Fr. John Lyndon, for helping us learn more about Servant of God John McKniff! You can learn more about Fr. John McKniff here on his page at American Saints and Causes and at this website of the Midwest Augustinians.