Rev. Thomas G. Langenfeld CSV

Rev. Thomas G. Langenfeld, CSV, passed away October 1, from complications sustained after a fall. He was 79. He was the first American elected as Superior General of the Clerics of St. Viator, leading the international Congregation for 12 years. Fr. Langenfeld was born on August 13, 1932, one of 11 children born to Clifford and Bessie (Newman) Langenfeld. He attended Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield, IL where his Viatorian teachers made a profound impression on him. Fr. Langenfeld eventually joined the Clerics of St. Viator, Province of Chicago, professing his first vows on August 15, 1951. He was ordained a priest on May 28, 1960 in Joliet, IL. Fr. Langenfeld began his ministry as an educator first teaching at Spalding Institute in Peoria, IL, and then at the Viatorian Seminary. He served as assistant principal at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL and later as principal of Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee, IL. During the 1972 Viatorian General Chapter held in Rome, Fr. Langenfeld was elected Superior General of the international Congregation of the Clerics of St. Viator. He was the first American to serve as leader of the Congregation, which at that time consisted of 1,453 brothers and priests. He served two consecutive six-year terms ending in 1984. When he returned to the U.S., Fr. Langenfeld directed the Viatorian formation program in Chicago, IL before working in parish ministry serving as pastor at Immaculate Conception Church, and then as pastor at St. Patrick Church, both in Kankakee, IL. Fr. Langenfeld was named pastor at St. Viator Church in Las Vegas, NV from 1994 to 1999. He then continued to serve the Las Vegas Diocese as director of clergy formation and in part time ministry at Guardian Angel Cathedral. When he retired in 2002, Fr. Langenfeld remained in the Las Vegas area celebrating weekend Masses at Guardian Angel Cathedral. He is survived by eight brothers and sisters: Richard, of Dixon, IL; Gary of St. Louis, MO; Mark of Normal, IL; Michael of Springfield, IL; Clifford of Garden Grove, CA; Catherine Van Den Bossche of Springfield, IL; Rose Marie Weymouth of Island Lake, IL; and Theresa Ulrich of Zanesville, OH. Visitation will take place from 4:30-7 p.m. on Friday, October 7 at St. Patrick Church, 428 S. Indiana Ave., Kankakee, IL. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. at the church on Saturday, October 8. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.

Rev. Thomas G. Langenfeld CSV

August 13, 1932 - October 1, 2011