Seven days prior to September 11th is the anniversary of the death of The Grunt Padre, a US Navy chaplain and recently declared Servant of God Vincent Capodanno.

As history is both made and made known, an inescapable pattern emerges that reveals the Author of Life is the Lord of History. While terrorist networks of death schemed, plotted and practiced their attack against America, one young Catholic priest had his marching orders- his mission was to make known the life-saving virtue of Navy Chaplain Vincent Capodanno who so clearly "radiated Christ". While our nation prepares to "Remember 9-11" just as the Great Generation was called to "Remember Pearl Harbor", may we also remember the victory is already won in Christ through His heavenly host, His mighty army. Like the cross at Ground Zero, may the once hidden intercession of Vincent Capodanno emerge as a source of healing for our nation and our families, and grant final victory over the evil of terrorism. --Judy McCloskey]

(Arlington, VA 1Sept06): As it did, in 1967, Labor Day this year occurs on September 4. It was on that day thirty –nine years ago Fr. Vincent Robert Capodanno, MM, made the ultimate sacrifice while faithfully performing his duty as priest and soldier. After hours of heavy fighting from a North Vietnamese ambush during Opertion Swift, Fr. Capodanno, himself seriously injured, sighted a wounded corpsmen pinned down by an enemy machine gunner. He ran to the Marine and administered medical and spiritual attention. As the enemy sniper opened fire, Fr. Capodanno, despite being unarmed, was the victim of 27 bullet wounds administering his final act as a good and faithful servant of God. Ordained for Maryknoll in 1958 and assigned as a missionary to Asia, Fr. Capodanno heeded a second vocational call in 1965 when he sought and received permission to join the Navy Chaplain Corps specifically to serve with the Marines in Vietnam. When asked why he had chosen such a dangerous assignment, Fr. Capodanno responded characteristically, “I think I am needed here as are many more chaplains. I’m glad to help in the way I can.” Beloved by the Marines who respected him for his willingness to share their struggles and sufferings, Fr. Capodanno received the nickname the Grunt Padre. He was their constant companion spending hours reassuring the weary and disillusioned, consoling the grieving, hearing confessions, instructing converts, and distributing St. Christopher medals. Such work “energized” him, and he requested an extension to remain with the Marines beyond the typical one year. It was during that duty extension that Fr. Capodanno died. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor in January 1969 for his heroic service.

Many of the Marines who personally knew him have identified their chaplain as a saint and have presented testimonies acknowledging the heroic virtues of the priest who served them. In acknowledging the genuine holiness and virtuous life of Fr. Capodanno, Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, publicly announced at the twelfth annual Memorial Day Mass which was held at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, on May 21 the initiation for the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God, Fr. Vincent Capodanno. His Cause for Canonization has officially opened During this first phase of the canonization process, Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien serves as Competent Bishop; Catholics in the Military who initiated the Cause serves as Petitioner; and Rev. Daniel Mode, author of The Grunt Padre; serves as Postulator. Soon Archbishop O’Brien will establish a Board of Inquiry to begin gathering testimony of those who knew Father Capodanno, collecting his writings and anything written about him and forwarding the information to Rome, where it will be meticulously examined by theologians.

Prayer to Obtain Favor Through the Intercession of Servant of God Vincent Capodanno May God who has offered healing and strength through the hands of His only Son, Our Lord, and through Christ's many servants grant me the favor of His healing hand through the intercession of His servant, Fr. Vincent Capodanno, priest missionary and chaplain, who always sought to heal and comfort the wounded and dying on the field of battle. May I be granted this request on my own field of battle I pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.