On October 20-31, 2025, I, Friar Juan Alonzo PAGOADA ACOSTA, Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Friar Casimir, was in the United States, together with Mr. Dan BRANDNER (a relative of Friar Casimir). While there, we followed a trail of documents and testimony attesting to the fame of sanctity, and the martyrdom, of our confrere, Friar Casimir CYPHER.
During our stay, we were welcomed by the Friars Minor Conventual in Chicago, by religious communities, by the faithful from various parishes, by relatives of Friar Casimir, and by various people in Wisconsin and Illinois who recounted historical memories of Casimir, and his “Casimirian,” spirit through objects, stories, anecdotes, writings and even works of art.
The first steps of our mission began with a visit to the archives of the Province of St. Bonaventure in the USA, located at the St. Bonaventure Friary and Provincial Curia in Chicago, Illinois. The friars hosted us for four days there, in the same friary in which Friar Casimir once lived and studied. Over the weekend, we visited and spent time with the parish community of St. Anthony of Padua in Rockford, Illinois. The Pastor, Father Carl BEEKMAN, received us kindly, and we met with parishioners who still hold fond memories and deep affection for Friar Casimir’s witness.
We also met with Amanda HUDSON, a journalist and editor from the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Rockford. We shared insights into the process of the Cause. Finally, we visited the monastery of the Poor Clares, who welcomed us with the spirit of St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi. They, too, cherish memories of the time Friar Casimir lived in the Rockford parish community.
Following the trail to more reminiscences and testimony, we then traveled to the state of Wisconsin where we visited with some members of the CYPHER family. They received us with great affection and shared stories, anecdotes, particular events, and evidence of holiness. We then traveled to the Holy Rosary Parish in Medford, Wisconsin, where Friar Casimir was born and raised and where he was educated and brought up in the Christian faith. The Pastor, Father Patrick McCONNELL, opened the doors of his home to us. He shared many reminiscences and mentioned his close involvement with the Cause in that parish community. There, we also met Dr. Juanita JELENIK, a lay missionary who also served as a missionary in Gualaco, Olancho, where she met Friar Casimir before his death.
Next, our mission following the footsteps of Friar Casimir led us to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where we were received by the Most Reverend William CALLAHAN, OFM Conv., Bishop Emeritus of La Crosse. He shared with us what he knew of the life, mission, and witness of Friar Casimir. That same day, we visited the religious community of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and Sister Maryam GOSSLING in particular, who had created several charcoal drawings depicting Friar Casimir’s life, mission, and testimony in Olancho.
By following this trail of documents and testimony, we were able to confirm Friar Casimir’s fame of sanctity and his martyrdom, the accounts of which still endure among the friars, his family, his neighbors, his parishioners, and even people from far away. Furthermore, we got to experience the great hospitality and welcome from the communities we visited. We got to enjoy the flavors, sights, and colors of autumn in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis― places Friar Casimir also visited.
We encountered additional complementary evidence: people who expressed their prayers and personal interest regarding the process of the Cause and identified several other missionaries who gave their lives during those difficult times that the Church suffered in Olancho. All these positive signs encourage us to continue strengthening the process of the Cause.
Our next mission will focus on deepening our connection and commitment with the parish communities of Rockford (Illinois) and Medford (Wisconsin) and sharing with them the spirit of Friar Casimir’s life, mission, and witness.
I cannot conclude this story without expressing my profound gratitude to Mr. Dan BRANDNER for everything we shared during the mission, from my arrival until my departure. I acknowledge that, without God’s help, your prayers and Dan’s professionalism—along with all those who made this experience possible—we could never have garnered such rich and abundant findings. Thank you so much, Dan!
I invite you to continue praying for the process of the Cause, that God may bring it to a successful conclusion.
May the Lord grant you his peace.
Friar Juan Alonzo PAGOADA ACOSTA, Vice-Postulator
