Military pilgrimage honors veterans, Chaplain Kapaun
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
People from throughout the Midwest celebrated Veterans Day Thursday at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen.
The occasion was the second annual military pilgrimage to Pilsen in honor of Catholic veterans and especially Father Emil Kapaun, who served as an Army chaplain and died in a North Korean prisoner-of-war camp.
A Pontifical Mass was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Kapaun memorial on church grounds.
Everyone received a pamphlet detailing the life and service of Father Kapaun from his birth at Pilsen on April 20, 1916, to his death 35 years later in North Korea.
Celebrant participants were escorted into the sanctuary by the Knights of Columbus, adorned with colorful capes and plumed hats.
The liturgy was planned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita and was presided over by the Most Rev. Richard Brendan Higgins, D.D., of Washington, D.C., auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, United States of America.
Higgins substituted for Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, who was scheduled to attend but was unable to do so. O'Brien submitted this message:
"The saintly story of the heroic priest-chaplain, Father Emil Kapaun, is quickly spreading across our country. How important it is for Catholics in our Armed Forces to become aware of his unique priestly ministry while in a Korean prisoner-of-war camp.
"The Annual Midwestern Pilgrimage to Pilsen, his home parish, offers our military community an opportunity to take inspiration from his life, drawing strength from his example.
"I strongly support this pilgrimage and promise that my prayers will accompany your steps."
Members of the Catholic choir at McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, provided musical support.
Father Wayne Schmid, a pastor from Derby, presented the homily. He was an Army chaplain for almost 25 years.
Schmid said Father Kapaun is worthy to be canonized as a saint and martyr by the Catholic church. He said the chaplain's story must be passed on to future generations because he set an example for all to follow and modeled the love of Christ: "He reached out to all. He lived Jesus."
Following Mass, the large audience braved blustery, cold conditions to gather outside at the Kapaun memorial statue.
An honor guard from Fort Leavenworth presented the colors. The audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem. Two wreaths were placed at the foot of the statue, one in honor of Chaplain Kapaun, the other in honor of all Catholic veterans.
A lunch followed in the church basement. Donations went to the Father Kapaun Guild.
The Catholic Church has named Father Kapaun a "Servant of God," the first step to possible beatification and canonization. The annual pilgrimage to Pilsen is a show of support for his sainthood.
