Fr. Kapaun, Medal of Honor

A rare thing happened today. So far as my limited knowledge is concerned it has never happened before. An Army Chaplain was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. His name is Emil Kapaun and what most don't know is that he has had a cause for sainthood for some time now.

From Stripes.com:

Although a retreat had been ordered, the priest stayed behind to tend the wounded and comfort the dying, and continued to make his rounds even as hand-to-hand combat ensued. He convinced an injured Chinese officer to negotiate the safe surrender of American forces. And then, seeing a Chinese soldier about to execute a wounded GI, Kapaun calmly pushed aside the enemy and carried the U.S. soldier away.
 

He did not end his service there. Fr. Kapaun carried a wounded soldier four miles, snuck past guards to forage food in the forest for food, boiled water as dysentery ensued and was known to promote sharing. Honorable. IF you have ever heard a Korean War veteran talk about their experience, they all have one thing in common: bitterly cold. Fr. Kapaun was known to regularly give his clothes away to keep the other warm. He ultimately died as a POW in a hospital. Before this he administered sacraments, offered rosary prayers and gave hope to the other Americans. This Chaplain is a true war hero; not sniping and run-and-gunning, not Rambo, a Priest.

As said, he has a cause for sainthood. In 1993 the Vatican gave him the title "Servant of God."

Many have become saints, many have received the Medal of Honor but I cannot remember a Chaplain who get it, and also has a cause for Sainthood. There happens to also be a book coming out this year by author Roy Wenzel "The Miracle of Father Kapaun."








http://www.frkapaun.org/index.html is a website dedicated to his cause and it's a good resource if you wish to learn more.

His prayer, taken from the website:

 

PRAYERLord Jesus, in the midst of the folly of war,
your servant, Chaplain Emil Kapaun spent himself
in total service to you on the battlefields and
in the prison camps of Korea, until his
death at the hands of his captors.

We now ask you, Lord Jesus, if it be your will,
to make known to all the world the holiness
of Chaplain Kapaun and the glory of his
complete sacrifice for you by signs of
miracles and peace.

In your name, Lord, we ask, for you are the
source of peace, the strength of our
service to others, and our final hope.

Amen