Father Emil Kapaun: Former POWs say his miracle was providing them hope (Part 8)

Wichita Eagle ^ | Sun, Dec. 13, 2009 | ROY WENZL

[GonzoII]

“Perfection is acquired through our efforts, and if we try to become saints, someday we will be saints.” — Father Emil Kapaun

Chase Kear does not seem at first glance to be the poster boy for a Vatican investigation involving sainthood. He chews a little dip, hits targets at turkey shoots, listens to country music when he rolls. In his Facebook profile photo he dresses the part of a halfnaked bandito in a sombrero. He’s a self-described redneck; also foolish and drunk and stupid at times in the past, he says, though less so since his accident.

He takes comfort in knowing that Jesus reached out to sinners, and a sinner Chase Kear sometimes is. Jesus loves him anyway.

His life changed when it should have ended on Oct. 2, 2008. A pole vaulter on the Hutchinson Community College track team, he felt something go slack in the flex of his vault pole as he turned upside down in midair. He overshot the mat.

The impact on the ground caved in the right side of his skull. He stopped breathing; paramedics stuck a tube down his throat. His eyeballs stared sightless in different directions. His limp arms and legs would not move when paramedics jabbed them.

“He was dead,” family doctor Joe Davison said later.

Surgeons sawed off the right side of his skull to relieve the brain’s swelling.

Family and friends began chanting Hail Marys, Our Fathers and a prayer to Father Emil Kapaun.

[GonzoII]

Father Emil Kapaun: In Korea, Kapaun saves dozens during Chinese attack (Part 1)

Father Emil Kapaun: Through Death March, Father Kapaun perseveres and inspires (Part 2)

Father Emil Kapaun: In icy POW camps, Kapaun shares faith, provisions (Part 3)

Father Emil Kapaun: As hundreds die, Kapaun rallies the POWs (Part 4)

Father Emil Kapaun: Leads camp prisoners in quiet acts of defiance (Part 5)

Father Emil Kapaun forgives guards, welcomes death (Part 6)

Father Emil Kapaun: POWs call him 'a hero and a saint' (Part 7)

[GonzoII]

Ping.

[marron]

Its funny. As a non-catholic I have a different understanding of the word “saint”. I can say without hesitation he fills the bill.

[RobbyS]

One of the comments says he was a “nice guy” who did a few “nice” things. Fr. Kapaun did things that storybook heroes do. Fact is that many people feel threatened by heroism, and are terrorized by the thought that they themselves do not measure up. It is said that the vocation of every priest—n,0 every Christian—is to be holy. Most of us don’t measure up, but when we hear of a man who does, it heartens us all, so that we pick ourselves up and go on. So many famous people in the world, and here is this farm boy from a tiny village in Kansas. who outstrips them all.

[catroina54]

Many thanks for posting all of this.

[GonzoII]

You’re welcome.

[MudPuppy]

I’ve ordered the DVD.
Many thanks for posting this! Very motivating.

[GonzoII]

You’re welcome.