Raising Vocations Collection provided financial support for pilgrimage to Kansas
By Jeff Kurowski | On Mission
ALLOUEZ — If you don’t know the story of Fr. Emil Kapaun, some young men in the diocese can help you out.
Fr. Mark Mleziva, vocation director for the Diocese of Green Bay, led a pilgrimage June 23-27 to Pilsen, Kan., Fr. Kapaun’s hometown. The group of travelers included seven young men, mostly high school-age, who are open to the priesthood.
Also making the trip were Kyle Rohan, a seminarian for the diocese who will be studying at North American Pontifical College in Rome, and Deacon Dan Gray, who serves St. James Parish, Cooperstown, and St. Joseph Parish, Kellnersville.
“There is something to pilgrimage, going to a holy site, deepening your faith, drawing close to the Lord and also learning about the life of a saint,” said Fr. Mleziva. “I want to take high school discerners, in particular, to learn about different priests, to be edified by their example, to hear their story and, if the Lord is calling them (to the priesthood), to hear it in a deeper way.”
This summer marked the third consecutive year that Fr. Mleziva led a “Seeds of Hope Pilgrimage” group.
In 2022, discerners journeyed to Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, N.Y. Last summer’s group followed the path of the Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli through southwest Wisconsin and into Iowa.
Why Fr. Kapaun this year?
“I would see his image in different places. He kept coming up,” said Fr. Mleziva. “I was in a priest’s office and saw something about this guy. What secured it for me is that Fr. Kapaun was from Pilsen, Kan. I was baptized in Pilsen, Wis., at St. Joseph Church.”
Fr. Kapaun, whose Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded by the U.S. Army to the Medal of Honor in 2013, is considered the most decorated military chaplain in U.S. history, he added.
“He felt called to the military. He served in World War II. He was in India-Burma, so he wasn’t in the midst of it,” said Fr. Mleziva. “The Korean War is where people started to hear about him. He had a jeep and would drive around to the battalions to celebrate Mass, hear confessions, encourage guys and give them hope.”
Fr. Kapaun was captured in an ambush. He could have gotten away, but remained with the men.
“Whenever there was a shooting, he would run to it. He would run into the gunfire. In his mind, if there is shooting, ‘I need to be there.’ He would anoint. He would pray with these guys,” said Fr. Mleziva. “He would do everything for the men. He was one of them. … He would sneak out in the middle of the night to find food, potatoes or anything he could find. They were fed millet, which was essentially bird food and wasn’t nourishing.”
Fr. Kapaun died in a prison camp on May 23, 1951.. His remains, which were initially not able to be identified, were first buried in Hawaii around 1956. In 2018, his remains were identified as part of a disinterment project.
On Sept. 29, 2021, his remains were entombed inside of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita.
The pilgrimage group flew to Wichita. Fr. Mleziva said that he’s grateful for funding for the trip from the Raising Vocations Collection.
“We drove an hour and a half north of Wichita (Tampa, Kan.) to a family farm,” said Fr. Mleziva. “The family hosted us. Their son is a priest and their grandson is in formation. They are a super kind family. They opened the door and cooked a meal for us.”
The next day the pilgrims walked from Tampa to Pilsen.
“Part of this pilgrimage is that we rough it to a certain extent,” said Fr. Mleziva. “We make peanut butter sandwiches in the morning for lunch and we walk. We visited Fr. Kapaun’s home parish (St. John Nepomucene).”
The group also passed on foot what was once the Kapaun homestead, which is approximately three miles from the church.
“He loved serving (at Mass),” said Fr. Mleziva. “He would walk those three miles there and three miles back.”
Fr. Mleziva pointed to Deacon Gray for his generosity. He served as the support driver, following the discerners as they walked.
The group also visited Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School in Wichita. The crucifix in the high school was carved out of driftwood and has a crown of thorns made from radio wire. It was created by a Jewish soldier who was imprisoned in the same war camp as Fr. Kapaun. He never met him, but was inspired by the priest’s story.
A focus relating to Fr. Kapaun’s life was introduced each day on the pilgrimage.
“We talked about his courage. We talked about his communion, how close he was with the men. The last thing was hope,” said Fr. Mleziva. “Even though he died, his story gave so many people hope. A lot of soldiers credited him for making it out alive.”
“I was profoundly moved by Fr. Kapaun’s sacrificial love for the men he served as a military chaplain during the Korean War,” said Eddie Heuring, a senior this fall at Xavier High School in Appleton. “Every action he took during his ministry on the frontlines was motivated by a love for Christ and his flock. In moments of intense combat Fr. Kapaun would risk his own life and charge towards the combat on the front lines to administer Holy Viaticum to the dying. His willingness to put his own life at risk to assure the administration of the sacramental graces that are so critical for salvation was a beautiful example of the sacrificial love Christ mentions in John 15:13.”
A cause for sainthood is open for Fr. Kapaun.
“He’s a Servant of God, the first step,” said Fr. Mleziva. “They are looking into his life. If they find it to have hero virtue, he will become Venerable. After that stage, you need miracles to be Blessed and another one to be a saint.”
“I hope to do another (pilgrimage) next year, but I want it to be a little more local,” said Fr. Mleziva. “I’m glad we had this experience. The discerners now feel like they know (Fr. Kapaun).”
“This trip profoundly impacted my faith journey in numerous ways. I am deeply grateful for the many graces the Lord bestowed upon our group throughout the pilgrimage, particularly through the life of Fr. Kapaun and the wonderful people we encountered,” said Heuring, a member of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton. “Regardless of whether my vocation is to the priesthood or married life, Fr. Kapaun offers a compelling witness of what it means to be a true man of Christ. In a world often confused about masculinity and the true essence of being a man, Fr. Kapaun provides a clear and inspiring example of genuine humility and selfless sacrifice, embodying the true essence of manhood.”
Note: The experience this year was made possible thanks to the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay awarding this pilgrimage a Raising Vocations Collection grant. This opportunity helped more young men discover Jesus and say “yes” to a vocation to the priesthood.
Thanks to the gifts of many generous families, these young men were able to encounter Jesus. The pilgrimage supported them on their vocation journey, and it was a great opportunity for these young men to reflect on another holy man’s life while reflecting on their own calling from God.
