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Diocese mourns the passing of Bishop Emeritus John Raymond Gaydos
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All are invited to join us in giving thanks for his decades of faithful service and in praying for the repose of the soul of Bishop Emeritus John Raymond Gaydos.
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The wake and visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday, September 15, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with a Vigil Service and prayers at 7 p.m.
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The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 16, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. Joseph, with Metropolitan Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis presiding and Archbishop Emeritus George J. Lucas of Omaha, Nebraska, preaching the homily.
All ceremonies are open to the public. We ask that everyone please consider carpooling to these events.
The funeral will also be live-streamed online at facebook.com/diojeffcity.
Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri.
The Diocese of Jefferson City is mourning the death of Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos, who served as the third bishop of the diocese from 1997 through his retirement in 2017. He died September 6, 2025 at the age of 82 at St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood, Mo.
A native of St. Louis, Bishop Gaydos guided the Catholic Church in central and northeastern Missouri through significant change while advancing its mission of evangelization, charitable outreach and pastoral care.
“Bishop Gaydos served this diocese with a shepherd’s care, a tireless work ethic, and an unwavering trust in the Holy Spirit,” said Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, Diocesan Administrator. “His leadership strengthened our parishes and deepened our outreach to those in need. Even in challenging times, he pointed us toward hope, always reminding us that God’s mercy is greater than any obstacle. We give thanks for his decades of faithful service and for the countless lives touched by his ministry.”
Born August 14, 1943, to George and Carrie (Lee) Gaydos, he grew up in the Benton Park neighborhood of St. Louis, attending St. Agnes School. Ordained a priest in St. Peter’s Basilica in 1968, he served in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles in the Archdiocese of St. Louis before his 1997 appointment by Pope Saint John Paul II as Bishop of Jefferson City.
During his episcopacy, Bishop Gaydos oversaw the creation of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, the opening of Fr. Tolton Regional Catholic High School in Columbia, the construction of the Alphonse J. Schwartze Memorial Catholic Center, and the strengthening of permanent deacon formation. He welcomed a new wave of missionary priests from around the world to serve in the diocese, expanded Hispanic ministry, and encouraged parishes to be more welcoming to newcomers, immigrants, and the marginalized.
His episcopal motto, With a Shepherd’s Care, reflected his commitment to pastoral ministry. Bishop Gaydos retired in 2017 but remained active in his service to the diocese. In 2024, he moved to St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood.
The faithful of the Diocese of Jefferson City are praying for Bishop Gaydos at Masses this weekend. Details about his arrangements will be shared when they are available.
