Diocesan marks anniversary of Fr. Kapaun’s entombment

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The funeral and related videos are available at YouTube.com/DioceseOfWichita.

Want more details about Fr. Kapaun’s life?

Visit FrKapaun.org for more information about Fr. Kapaun and details about his cause for canonization.

 

Pilgrims from almost 40 states and several foreign countries have visited the tomb of Fr. Emil Kapaun nearly a year after his remains were returned to his home diocese and laid to rest in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Sept. 29, 2021, in Wichita for the Medal of Honor recipient whose cause for canonization is being considered by the Vatican. Fr. Kapaun was named a Servant of God in 1993, signifying his cause for sainthood could begin.

Also visiting Pilsen

Scott Carter, the coordinator of the diocesan Father Kapaun Guild, said pilgrims are praying at the tomb and traveling to Pilsen to visit St. John Nepomucene Church and the museum. Among those visiting were the Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, who accompanied some of his seminarians for a holy hour at the cathedral with seminarians of the Diocese of Wichita.

“Lots of families and individuals are stopping to pray,” he said. “It’s a blessing that continues to unfold.”

Cause for canonization

Another issue regarding Fr. Kapaun that continues to unfold is his cause for canonization.

Dr. Andrea Ambrose, the postulator who initially assisted the diocese with Fr. Kapaun’s cause, has retired, Carter said. The new postulator, Dr. Nicola Gori, promoted the cause for Carlo Acutis, who was beatified in 2020.

The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has recommended the diocese take the new “Offer of Life” path in its pursuit of the cause. The new path was created in 2017 by Pope Francis as a way to recognize holiness.

Scott Carter comments

“I think it makes a lot of sense,” Carter said. “He very clearly, at several points in the last year of his life, showed he was willing to give his life for his men – whether it was on the battlefield, his willingness to be captured, and in the prison camp.”

“We are working with Dr. Gori to get him up to speed and provide the information needed for the Offer of Life. It might take some time to prepare the information and have the dicastery review it before he can be named venerable.”

If Fr. Kapaun is declared venerable, the dicastery can begin to review the alleged miracles attributed to his intercession.

Carter added that he is amazed at the impact Fr. Kapaun has had throughout the world. “Whether it’s through his example and inspiration, his life of hope and courage and faith, or whether it’s through his intercession, people are continuing to ask for his prayers, sometimes with some pretty miraculous results. It’s just incredible to see that going on.”