PHOTOS: Funeral Vigil for Father Emil Kapaun

Catholic News Agency ^ | 9/29/21 | Autumn Jones

[marshmallow]

On Tuesday, the Diocese of Wichita held a vigil and rosary for Servant of God Father Emil Kapaun, who died in a prison camp May 23, 1951 at 35 years of age. His remains were identified in March 2021 and returned to his family earlier this month. His body’s return to his home 70 years posthumously was marked by a send-off Mass in Honolulu on Sept. 23, last night’s vigil, and a funeral Mass that will take place Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Central Time.

The vigil was livestreamed and recorded on the Diocese of Wichita’s YouTube channel, and shown live on EWTN.

[Dan in Wichita]

I was there. A very inspirational ceremony.

[McGavin999]

Welcome home Father.

[Falconspeed]

Powerful funeral. Watched it in EWTN. At the bottom of the hour, the EWTN said, “We shall close now...” and the camera stayed on the funeral. There was no way you could leave the funeral: military choir, high school choir, coffin on the altar. Every minute was a blessing. Fr. Emil, pray for us.

[rhinohunter]

https://youtu.be/xiM_uALTk6s

In this episode of Crossroads, from the golden age of television, James Whitmore portrays Fr. Emil.

[Dan in Wichita]

Did EWTN broadcast the speakers after communion? Ray Kapaun welcomed home his Uncle Emil in a very emotional speech. Then a priest read the testimony of one of Father’s fellow POW’s. It was absolutely riveting. I hope the EWTN viewers got to see that.

[Dan in Wichita]

Saw that last night. It was from 1955 and exceeded my expectations.

I would love to see a major motion picture based on the story of Father Kapaun. Many years ago, I wrote to Mel Gibson suggesting it might be a good movie topic. Never heard back, so I guess he wasn't interested.