| THE GRUNT PRIEST by Fr. David La Buda, M.M.
Vincent Capodanno was born on February 13th, 1929, in Staten Island, New York. After attending a year at Fordham University, young Vincent Capodanno entered the Maryknoll seminary in 1949, and was ordained in 1958. After ordination, Father Capodanno was assigned to work with aboriginal Taiwanese in the mountains of Taiwan where he served in a parish and later in a school. After seven years, Father Capodanno returned to the United States for leave and then was assigned to a Maryknoll school in Hong Kong.
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| On Thursday, September 3 at 7 p.m. a dedicated band of people will gather in the crypt church of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington to honor a man who may some day be declared a saint. Archbishop Timothy M. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services will be main celebrant of the Mass - an annual event - which this year falls on the eve of the 42nd anniversary of the death of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, M.M., the "Grunt Padre."
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| It is a great joy to send this update to you who have demonstrated sincere respect and love for Fr. Capodanno and heartfelt support for his canonization cause. The virtuous life and heroic death of this good and holy priest have inspired a wide range of people throughout the world. Many of you have written detailing personal accounts of how Fr. Capodanno has touched your lives - you have requested prayer cards to distribute as you share the story of the Maryknoll missionary and Navy chaplain who consistently reflected Christ to all who knew him. You have sought his assistance in life's challenges, and your testimonies describing his intercession in those situations reflect that he remains a powerful example of leading people closer to God. Soldiers recovering from amputations and life threatening injuries at Bethesda Naval and Walter Reed Hospitals, parents of a toddler facing brain surgery, a Viet Nam War veteran's widow coping with his unexpected death, a young priest suffering with a blood disease, a dying teacher hoping to live long enough to attend her daughter's wedding have all have turned to this Servant of God for physical healing and spiritual comfort.
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| 10 Nov 2007: As the Marines lay dying on a Vietnamese battlefield, the Rev. Vincent Capodanno moved among them, offering comfort and rescuing them amid gunfire.
He too had been injured in the battle in 1967, his hand nearly severed and his face wounded. As he went to assist a wounded man, he was shot 27 times in the back and died, the Department of the Navy reported.
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| To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of the Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno, a mass will be celebrated in his memory on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the chapel at Fort Wadsworth that bears his name.
Father Capodanno, a Maryknoll missionary and U.S. Navy chaplain, was killed by a sniper on Sept. 4, 1967, as he ministered to a Marine on the battlefield in Qui Son Valley, Vietnam. The "grunt padre" was hit 27 times in the back, neck and head.
Though 40 years have passed, Father Capodanno's legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched during his 38 years.
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