CV NEWS FEED // Pope Francis this week advanced the cause for canonization of American hero Father Emil Kapaun, elevating him from Servant of God to Venerable, while clearing the way to the next step for six others, including two approved for canonization.
Vatican News reported that Pope Francis recognized Fr. Kapaun and Italian layman Salvo D’Acquisto, who served in the Italian Carabinieri during World War II, for their “offering of life,” a new avenue to canonization distinct from causes for martyrdom and heroic virtue.
Pope Francis introduced this cause in 2017 to recognize as saints “those Christians who, following more than closely the footsteps and teachings of the Lord Jesus, have voluntarily and freely offered their life for others and persevered with this determination unto death,” Vatican News states.
Venerable Kapaun was born in Kansas in 1916, and served as an army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War. He was captured in Korea and died as a prisoner of war in the Pyoktong Prison Camp.
Venerable Kapaun’s home diocese of Wichita, Kansas, celebrated the Pope’s declaration. Bishop Carl Kemme issued a statement on the veteran’s new status.
“I join his family, our diocesan family, parishioners in Pilsen, his brother priests, men and women in the armed forces, past, present and future, and indeed every one of faith in giving thanks that Pope Francis has advanced his cause by declaring him to be Venerable,” the Bishop stated. “I encourage everyone to continue to pray for his intercession in every situation so that many more graces and divine favors will be received because of his powerful prayers. Venerable Emil Kapaun, pray for us!”
FR. EMIL KAPAUN PILGRIMAGE THROUGH KANSAS CAMINO OPENS FOR REGISTRATION
Pope Francis also approved the canonization of Blessed Bartolo Longo, a former Satanic priest turned third-order Dominican and champion of the Rosary, and Blessed Giuseppe Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, a Venezuelan lay faithful who died in 1919.
In addition, Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtue of three Servants of God: Michele Maura Montaner, diocesan priest and founder of the Congregación de las Hermanas Celadoras del Culto Eucarístico; Didaco Bessi, diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Mary of the Rosary; and Cunegonda Siwiec, a laywoman from Poland and member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
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