Father White's 77 Years of Religious Life (continued)
His passing marks the end of an era. Among Viatorians, Fr. White was the last living link to St. Viator College.
He was ordained a priest in 1944, after earning his bachelor’s degree in Latin from St. Ambrose College. He went on to earn a master’s degree in school administration from the University of Illinois.
His ministry took him across the country and around the world, literally. His first assignment came in 1944, when Fr. White taught at St. Joseph School for the Deaf in the Bronx, before he returned to Illinois to teach at St. Philip’s High School in Chicago and Cathedral Boys’ High School in Springfield.
When the Viatorians opened a high school in Kyoto, Japan in 1948, they turned to Fr. White to be its principal and superior, a title he held at Rakusei St. Viator High School until 1956.
Upon returning from Japan, he served in Illinois, both at Cathedral in Springfield and as principal at Spalding Institute in Peoria. He also served as spiritual director at the Viatorian Novitiate in Arlington Heights, 1961-1963.
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The latter part of his ministry was spent doing pastoral work, mostly in Las Vegas. He led St. Viator Catholic Community as pastor from 1970-1979, and later served at Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas, as associate pastor from 1983-2006, before retiring at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights.
Bringing People
Closer to Jesus
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From leading a procession of the faithful in Japan in 1949, to serving as a Parish Priest In Las Vegas in 1983 and beyond, Father White was truly a Priest for all of the people.
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I once went to confession to Father White and told him of my battle with anxiety. I seemed to have worried about everything.
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Father White said, "Do you remember the bible story about the birds of the air, and how they worry about nothing? The story asks, are you not more important to your Father in Heaven than they are?"
I answered, "I hope so." Father White continued, "You have nothing to worry about because Jesus is always with you. When anxiety comes. and many times throughout the day, I want you to say this prayer three times: Jesus I Love You, Jesus I Trust In You."
He then made me repeat the prayer with him three times. From that day forward, when I start to worry, I say these powerful words. Jesus I Love You, Jesus I Trust In You; and the anxiety melts away.
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What a wonderful gift Father White gave me.
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And He will raise you
up on Eagle's Wings,
and hold you in the
palm of His hand
A Sense of Humor
Many times through the year I would go to Father White’s modest apartment to bring him baked goods my wife had prepared, or some special meal.
Without exception, I would find Father White doing one of three things.
He was either saying prayers, listening to the Catholic channel on the television, or fixing himself a modest meal. Usually soup. He would always say, “The old people love soup.”
He always referred to himself as “the old people.”
More times than not there was always an elderly nun on the Catholic channel saying the rosary.
One time I asked Father White, “Frank, how long have you been a priest now?” “Oh I don’t know, 50 years or so.” He responded.
I said, "Every time I come over here that same sister is saying the rosary. You still don’t know how to say the rosary after all these years? You have to rely on that poor nun on television to help you?” He laughed, and said,
“I almost have it down.”
On Eagle's Wings
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Father Thomas von Behren, C.S.V. was the Provincial of the Viatorians in 2015. Father Tom was present with Father White when he passed. Father von Behren related this story at the Memorial that was held at St. Viator Church in Las Vegas.
Earlier in the day upon which Father White would pass on, Father von Behren came to Father White’s room to look in on him. Everyone knew Father White was near the end of life on this earth. He asked, “How are you doing Frank?” Father White answered, “I am so happy.” Somewhat perplexed by his response Father von Behren asked, “Why are you happy?” Father White’s response compressed into a single statement his 77 years of religious life and devotion. Father White said,
“Because, today I finally get to meet Jesus.”
What an amazing faith. What an amazing love this Man of God had for Our Lord and Savior.
Later in the afternoon around 5:30 Father White was nearing the moment he was so happy about. It was mentioned that Father White loved music. Father von Behren took his phone on which he had stored music. Father Tom selected the song on his phone, "On Eagles Wings” and played it.
The chorus of “On Eagle’s Wings” goes:
“And He will raise you up on eagles' wings. Bear you on the breath of dawn.
Make you to shine like the sun. And hold you in the palm of His hand.”
The second time the chorus started, when the song said, “And He will raise you up on eagles' wings.” Father White went home to be with Our Lord in Heaven.
