July 8, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Province of St. Thomas Villanova has a longstanding tradition of faith-filled service to the people of God. Our friars today stand on the foundation of many good friars who spent their lives sharing the gospel and Augustinian values with people around the world. One such friar was our brother Fr. John McKniff, O.S.A.
Fr. John is one of two Servants of God in the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, the other being Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A. Fr. John’s life and legacy continue to inspire us to bring the light and love of the gospel to all parts of the globe. He accompanied the faithful in the Philippines; Havana, Cuba; and Chulucanas, Peru. While in Cuba, Fr. John brought peace and comfort to those under Communist regime. Twice he was put in jail for sharing the gospel. His ministry was simply to love and serve the poor; the people knew him to be a man of poverty, who shared everything that he had with others. He shared their hardship and their struggle in solidarity, and lived with the poorest of the poor, reminding them that God loves and cares for all of them.
It seemed only right that we translate his earthly remains from Miami, Florida, where he died in 1994, back to Chulucanas, Peru, where he served for so long. Our Church and Catholic faith have a rich history of preserving human remains for veneration. Faithful pilgrims would often visit burial sites where they could reflect, pray, and take inspiration from disciples of Christ who’ve gone before us. It was not easy for people to get from territory to territory, so the church began to separate relics to provide more access for the faithful.
On June 19, Fr. John was exhumed from Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Doral, Florida, and prepared for the journey back to Chulucanas. The people at the cemetery and the funeral home showed such love and care during the exhumation and preparation. The tribunal on the Miami side was so proud of the history and legacy of Fr. John. It poured rain in the morning and then, suddenly, it cleared – much like how Fr. John walked with the people through their storms and helped bring sunshine back into their lives.
Three days later, Fr. John’s casket was carried in a spontaneous procession through the city of Chulucanas to Iglacia San José Obrero, where he served for decades. After a Mass of Thanksgiving, he was reinterred in a beautiful marble sarcophagus in the side chapel within the church. The singing, the joy, the spirit of community: it was confirmation that reinterment was a most appreciated gift to the entire community. It will promote prayer, awareness, and devotion, and continue the call for the intercession of Fr. John in the hope of his ultimate canonization.
The new sarcophagus of Fr. John McKniff, O.S.A., in Iglacia San José Obrero, Chulucanas, Peru.
Fr. John McKniff, O.S.A., was born September 5, 1905, in Media, Pennsylvania. In 1919, he entered Villanova Prep, on the campus of Villanova College, as a postulant. He was ordained a priest in the Order of St. Augustine on July 6, 1930, and received his doctorate in philosophy. In 1935, he volunteered to serve in the Philippines.
In 1939, Fr. John was sent to Cuba to
In 1968, Fr. John left Cuba for health reasons. The Cuban government took the opportunity to revoke his passport and refuse his reentry. In 1972, Fr. John was sent to Chulucanas, Peru, where he assisted Bishop John McNabb, O.S.A. in many parishes while also teaching in the seminary in Trujillo.
Servant of God Fr. John McKniff, O.S.A. (left) while serving in Peru. You may also notice a young Pope Leo XIV on the right!
In 1994, while visiting Miami, Fr. John fell ill on the night before his flight back to Lima. He died on March 26, 1994, at the age of 88. Innumerable requests by the people of Peru led to the initiation of the diocesan cause for canonization of Fr. McKniff in Chulucanas.
The translation of Fr. John’s earthly remains was a team effort with a singular purpose: to encourage and introduce others into the same missionary spirit and love of God and God’s people that was so evident throughout Fr. John’s life. We are grateful to Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami; Bishop Cristóbal Bernardo Mejía Corral of the Diocese of Chulucanas; the tribunals from both Miami and Chulucanas; the many cemetery workers; Province Secretary-Treasurer Fr. Aldo Potencio, O.S.A.; Fr. Joseph Sciberras, O.S.A., the Postulator General from the Order of St. Augustine; Fr. John Lydon, O.S.A., who served with Fr. McKniff in Peru for many years – and all of those who helped us in the process of the translation and preparation of Fr. McKniff’s earthly remains to San José Obrero.
A painting of Servant of God Fr. John McKniff, O.S.A., in the Augustinian Curia in Rome, painted by an artist from Chulucanas, Peru.
Fr. John McKniff, O.S.A. and his selfless spirit of service will be remembered at the altar of the Lord. Fr. John, like all of us, is body, soul, and spirit, and offers us a tangible presence and witness to the power of God’s grace and our call to love each other without limits. For generations, people will be inspired and encouraged to offer their gifts to assist others on their journey through life, especially with the poor.
Fr. John, pray for us!
Peace always,
Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A.
Prior Provincial
