| 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.
Other letters describe "moral miracles" - conversions from sinful life styles, responses to religious vocations, reconciliations within families, and long-denied compensations to deserving recipients powerfully reveal that Servant of God Vincent R. Capodanno continues to assist in our "own field of battle." We appreciate receiving your personal experiences of answered favors. Requests for biographical material and mailings of thousands of prayer cards indicate ongoing devotion to Fr. Capodanno. Veterans Day and Fourth of July Masses in Chicago and Charlotte have honored him, a Ohio Boy Scout retreat presented his life story to the young men, a high school student in Kansas competed in a national history project by creating an exhibit of Fr. Capodanno's life, and a monastery of cloistered Carmelite nuns in New Jersey is especially attentive to Fr. Capodanno by including his memory into some of their special celebrations. In the past year Knights of Columbus in Harrisburg, PA, and Batavia, NY, have named their assemblies after Fr. Capodanno. This Spring five Marines, who personally knew Father Capodanno and, with him took part in Operation Swift, returned to Viet Nam and prayed at the knoll, the site of his final sacrifice. Catholics in the Military, a web-based organization serving as Petitioner for the Cause of Canonization, will sponsor a mass on September 3, 2009, at 7:00 PM in the crypt chapel of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of Fr. Capodanno's death. Archbishop Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services will be the main celebrant. To attend, please register at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Many have asked about purchasing Fr. Capodanno's biography, The Grunt Padre by Fr. Daniel Mode. You may call the publisher toll free at 888-636-6799 or order at www.cmjbooks.com. Discussions are underway for an upcoming article about the Cause to appear in a national publication. At the Archdiocese Headquarters in Washington, DC, we have designated the Fr. Capodanno Room which contains some of his personal belongings, artwork depicting his life, and a magnificent photo and documentation album which a talented, generous supporter created and contributed. Please feel free to visit it. Frequently you inquire about the progress of the Cause. Although there are no overt advances due to many personnel changes of the original Tribunal members, we are optimistic that by filling those positions, we will meet soon to move forward. Those of us privileged to participate in this significant project are most anxious to advance Fr. Capodanno's Cause, and as that occurs, I will keep you aware. Meanwhile, on behalf of all of us, my deepest thanks for your interest, encouragement and support. Mary Preece, Vice-Postulator for Fr. Capodanno's Cause |
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