8/24/09
Welcome Home Father Vince! Semper Fi!

We just learned of the Mass in the Crypt on 9/3/09 and regrettably are unable to attend but we shall offer our Mass in the morning for Father Vince and all his bro Marines, living and deceased. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you this day.

God bless Fr Vince and his family.
God bless America and our men and women in uniform. May God be with them this day.

Kath
Kathleen Fennell, PA-c, RN former Army Nurse, RVN Vet 68-69
Roger G Fennell, MD former Army Medic, RVN Vet 68-69

I was watching a program one night on television about Fr.Vincent Capodanno. I was touch by his spiritual courage. I cried at one point, because I feel like I lost one of my brother in arm myself. His spirit and his courage will be with me from now on. God bless him and his family. God bless America and those who serve in the Arm forces.

I served with Bravo Company, 1stBn, 5thMar from Sep'67 to Sep'68. Got there 5 days after Father Vince's death so I never met him. I have visited the chapel at Camp Pendleton named after him. His memory will live in the hearts of members of our unit always. I have met and spoken with Father Dan Mode and have read his book "The Grunt Padre". We all appreciate his efforts in getting Father Vince's story told. Sincerely, Dominic Westfall, USMC

Our Knights of Columbus District Deputy told us about your website. I'm glad I found it. I'm passing it along to my son, who is in Navy EM ‘A’ School in Charleston, SC, and to my other Catholic friends who are in the Armed Forces.

I am please to announce that the Knights of Columbus's newest Assembly is the Fr. Vincent R. Capodanno Assembly #3167, in Harrisburg, PA. The Assembly has a potential membership of about 200 with 65 currently transferring in. It's our honor to spread the name of Fr. Capodanno and Fr. McGivney (our founder) and help in any way to aid their causes for Sainthood. I will keep you updated on the Assemblies progress.

Vivat Jesus
Terry Shingara
District Deputy
Hispanic Council Development

While serving in the Marine Corps I had the honor of serving with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, Fr. Capodanno's regiment. At the Battalion HQ there are pictures of all of the Medal of Honor winners who served in the Battalion. I must have read his story a hundred times, every time I was at the CP I would read about all the CMH winners for a little inspiration and motivation. Fr. Capodanno's story is an inspiring story of heroism and courage. he gave his life for the Marines that he loved so dear. Fr. Capodanno has inspired me to convert to Catholosim.

I'm a real devotee of Fr. Vincent's - as with so many, I learned about him from EWTN's presentation of the life of Fr. Vincent. I purchased "The Grunt Padre" and I've heard its author, Fr. Daniel Mode, discuss this great priest. I pray Fr. Vincent will be canonized soon. I'm also proud he received the Medal of Honor. He really is a SAINT.

Father Capodanno was an amazing individual and Chaplain. Although I did not know Father Capodanno personally, I did serve in the USAF during the Viet Nam era.

There is a growing need to those serving and fighting for the USA and Freedoms to have someone they can go to for their Spiritual needs.

Because of this great Spiritual need, I am honored to devote an hour of Eucharistic Adoration for The Canonization Cause Of The Servant Of GOD Rev. Vincent Robert Capodanno. In addition, I renew the Hour for Father Capodanno with each visit I make.

Father Capodanno look down on all defending our freedoms. We pray for their safe return. God Bless.

Back in 1966, I was assigned to bravo Co. 1/7. We were on the far end by Phuoc Thien. Our unit was quite low on boots, pants, shirts etc. A fellow Marine and myself had a chance to go to battalion HQ, across the song tra bong river. One big issue was that all the wise guys in bttl supply would not give us any boots, pants, etc, to take back to co HQ. These were for several marines that needed the resupply. Our last resort was to go to the Chaplains office. You met us out in front of your hootch, we spoke about our problem and we went back to Bravo Co. with all the supplies we needed. It was years later that I learned of your sacrifices. Your great courage proves well of the guidance of the Divine.... The Holy Spirit guided you .... You certainly occupy a special place in our Mighty God's Kingdom. I will be going back to our Co. and batt. area the 23 rd of this month, making my yearly travel back to Vietnam... I pray Father Capodanno, put in a word for me to our Lord for safe travel and a productive trip. Simper Fi Marine, with highest respects, Daniel Howard Thomas Bravo Co. 1/7, battle of phuoc Thien Nov. 22 1966

I always knew that Vincent was a great man. My mom, his niece, would always tell me such great things about him. I just recently learned of this website for him, and reading all of these other Guestbook entries really makes me realize that he was truly a remarkable man. He's always in my prayers. ---Maeve Shanahan

I am requesting that our Chaplain of the Latin Mass Community in Dayton OH, celebrate a Requiem Mass (in the extraordinary form) for the Repose of his Soul on Thursday September 3 at our Lady of the Rosary in Dayton OH. A stipend has been sent to him for the Mass to be celebrated.

I have been encouraged by the story of Father Capodanno and spiritually moved by his life and example. My family and I are going to begin a novena invocating his intercession for the cure of my 5 year old, Joseph, who suffers from Prader-Willi syndrome, for which there is no cure. He is also not able to speak propery. I know that he will be cured. Please pray with us. Thank you.

I just learned of Father Capodanno today. His courage to do God's will, especially while facing physical danger is so moving. I pray for his intercession that we all can remain steadfast in our faith ..... Father Capodanno stated it perfectly, "God is here with us."

Recently learn of Fr. Capodanno from a friend here in San Antonio. They personally know Fr. Mode. Have purchased Grunt Padre by Fr. Mode and is great reading of an incredible vocation - haven't finished the book yet. My son will have the opportunity to meet and hopefully get to know Fr. Mode at his new assignment with the US Coast Guard academy. My son begins his career with the Coast Guard next month at the academy.

Last week I watched the DVD of the life of Fr. Capodanno on EWTN with my brother.It was so wonderful to learn more about Fr. Vincent as I had heard a little about him some years ago on Life on the Rock(EWTN). My prayer is that he will be made a saint and patron of military chaplains.I think the movie made an impression on my 16 year old brother who want to serve in the military one day. Thanks to all who made the DVD available on EWTN and work so hard to see the day of his beatification and canonization!

As a confirmation gift, my Godparents gave me "The Grunt Padre". I received my confirmation during my junior year of high school. During that summer I read the book that was given to me. As a young Catholic man, who was looking to do something special with his life, this book was perfect. I was so inpsired, encouraged, and humbled by the willingness that Fr Capodanno had to follow God's will for his life. So, I decided to follow in Fr Capodanno's footsteps. I prayed about it, thought about and talked about with my guidance counselors at school, and during my senior of high school I told my parents...that I was joing the Marine Corps. They were in shock. Not that they did not believe in service to one's country, but they though it would be best for me to continue to pray about it. As a special favor, they asked me to go to community college for a year, so I could think it over and pray about it. I reluctantly obeyed. I wondered why I could not have the same conviction that Fr Capodanno had when he told his superiors that he was going into military service.

So, I prayed everyday that I would day be a Marine, and I also prayed that if God did not want me to do that, he would give me something special instead.

Two years have gone by since I told my parents about my "plans". I am now a sophmore at community college, and I have prayed everyday that God would lead me to his will. I so often remember the patience that Fr Capodanno had, and I know that God will lead me to what he has for me.

During these past two years, I have still felt a call to some sort of service. Something that entails physical and spiritual self sacrifice and obedience. I have felt a call to something that will truly allow me to follow in Fr Vincet Capodanno's footsteps... Through much prayer and seeking advice, I have come to believe that Jesus Christ is calling me to the Priesthood.

I will be going to St. Andrew's College Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ next year. I will be a candidate for the Paterson Diocese. It is an honor to know that a possible Saint grew up so close to where I gew up, in New Jersey. I will continue to pray that I am lead with the same humility, trust and patience that Fr Capodanno was lead with. I thank God often for his witness to me. I tell many people that Fr Vincet Capodanno, as with JP II and St Isaac Jogues, was one of the major influences that inspired me to begin the journey to being a priest. I will pray in intercession to Fr Capodanno now more than ever, as will I now pray that he one day be added to the Canon of the Saints.
Thank you Jesus, and thank you Fr Vince

A gentleman who knew I was a V vet pressed the holycard into my hand and whispered "I know you have been through alot- Read this". I am thrilled to know about Father Vincent. I hope that he becomes canonized because of his many selfless acts towards others. V vets are always portrayed in a negative fashon. In death, he also rises up ...................

While I was only four and a half years old when my Uncle Vincent,Father Vincent Capodanno was killed in Vietnam on 4 september,1967-my Mom and Dad and siblings have all shared stories of a man who was larger than life in their eyes long before the cause for canonization.They all talked about the feeling when he walked into a room full of people and his presence was immediately noticed without a word from his mouth-how he would talk one on one with anyone that needed an ear,even though he was home for a short time.My mom shared a particularly amusing story with me.When Father Vincent reported to the mission in Taiwan he was fairly well prepared for his duties except one.He didn't know how to bath and change the children properly.My mom being the mother of ten children had him come stay at our house which I believe was in Massapequa,Ny or Freeport,Ny at the time and when he left he was a proffessional child care missionary to say the least.While it wasn't his responsibility to do these tasks regularly at the mission he learned how to do them and went back and did them any way to help the other staff at the mission-Humbly he did what he needed to do to help others throughout his life,as a Missionary,and as a Chaplain in Vietnam,Tom Capodanno

I never met Father Capodanno, but my father, Robert K. Miller gave me his mass card, and I googled his name to find out more. What a wonderful man! I had to leave a note here.

I met Father Capodanno while serving in Vietnam at a field hospital, 1st Hospital Company, 1st Marine Division. I can honestly say he was an inspiration.