Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Thomas A. Caldwell, SJ, who died on March 4, 2025 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was 99 years old. May he rest in peace.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Helen (nee Fitzsimmons) Caldwell, his brother (James Caldwell), and his sisters (Mary Remi Caldwell, Helen Smith, Sally Tyson, Frances Kilcollins, and Sr. Mary Ellen Caldwell, BVM). He is survived by his brother Joseph Caldwell, nieces, and nephews.
Tom was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 24, 1926. Before entering the Society, he graduated from Marquette University Jesuit High School (1943). He entered the Missouri Province of the Society of Jesus on August 8, 1943 at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri and became a member of the Wisconsin Province when it was formed in 1955. He was ordained on June 20, 1956 at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee and pronounced final vows on August 15, 1960 at the Chapel of the Dormition in Jerusalem, Israel.
While in the Society, Tom earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin and Greek (1949), a master’s degree in Latin and Greek (1950), and a licentiate in philosophy (1950) from Saint Louis University. He earned a licentiate degree in Sacred Theology from St. Mary’s College in St. Marys, Kansas (1958). After studying scripture and Judaism at the University of Vienna in Austria (1958-1963), he earned a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy (1964).
During regency, Tom taught Latin and Greek at his alma mater, Marquette University Jesuit High School (1950-1953). After ordination and completing his studies, Tom taught theology at Marquette University for more than four decades (1965-2006). In addition to his teaching, Tom was the minister (1980-1988; 1993-2000), guestmaster (2000-2006), and prefect of health (1989-2000; 2006-2014) for the Jesuit Community. In 2015, Tom was missioned to St. Camillus Jesuit Community to pray for the Church and the Society of Jesus.
Tom was a devoted Jesuit and priest who loved being with others. He took seriously Matthew 25:37-40: “Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” A defining trait of Tom was his cura personalis. Not only did he see Christ in each person he encountered, but he also treated each person as he would treat Jesus. He loved and cared for each person met. His care was felt by the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Marquette University. It was very evident in his care of his brother Jesuits as minister, prefect of health, and guestmaster. He was welcoming, hospitable, and enjoyable to be with. Tom’s focus was always on others and not on himself.
Tom was a wonderful teacher of theology, especially the Hebrew scriptures. He was able to know the mind (and academic level) of his students and taught in ways that made the concepts and information easy to understand.
Fr. George Winzenburg, SJ, the superior of St. Camillus Community, has this to say about Tom:
Tom was small in stature, but he was a giant of a man. He had a keen intellect and was witty and fun. He loved words! He completed crossword puzzles every day and was a faithful attendee at “brain games” and similar activities at St. Camillus. He recited rhymes and poems he memorized as a boy and quoted famous people in history. He especially loved the Word of God. After studying scripture in Austria and Rome, he taught Old Testament courses at Marquette over four decades. He loved to explain the etymology of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin words that described God. A friend wrote that Tom was one of her favorite profs (Psalms course) and a very fine advisor when she was a grad student in theology. Another grad student said he was a great mentor.
A native Milwaukeean, Tom was proud of his family (he had six siblings), his humble beginnings (his father worked at City Hall), and his Irish roots. He dressed each morning according to the liturgical season; he wore a red shirt when a martyr was remembered, a blue shirt on the BVM feasts, and a purple shirt in Advent and Lent. He was the minister and guest master in Jesuit community at Marquette where he extended hospitality and tried to meet everyone’s needs. Tom loved children and was a natural storyteller. He enjoyed singing; he serenaded nurses and CNAs in the elevator and hallway. He felt God “hugged” him and he looked forward to going home to God.
Fr. Luis Rodríguez, SJ, has these memories of Tom:
Tom was by nature a problem solver, but he was not too interested in long-term solutions, because problems were present there and then and they had to be solved, and this made him a good community Minister. He was also a great teacher, and his heart was immersed in the Old Testament. He loved his students and always made himself available to them. I appreciated his distinction between “blessed” be God (praised, well spoken of) and “blessed” (fortunate) are the poor, among other beatitudes. He loved singing, especially the “golden oldies” which he knew by heart, as well as the rhymes he knew from kindergarten.
