Prayer to Obtain a Favor Through the Intercession of the Servant of God Father Vincent R. Capodanno

Prayer to Obtain a Favor Through the Intercession of the Servant of God

Father Vincent R. Capodanno

May God who has offered healing and strength through the hands of the 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, Father 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.

The above prayer and others as well as the pray cards are available here.

Related Posts:
The Grunt Padre: Father Vincent Robert Capodanno Vietnam 1966-1967 - Daniel L. Mode 
Looking for recommendations, Catholic Military Chaplains WWI, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Canadian Chaplains ....

The Grunt Padre: Father Vincent Robert Capodanno Vietnam 1966-1967 - Rev. Daniel L. Mode

The Grunt Padre:
Father Vincent Robert Capodanno Vietnam 1966-1967
Rev. Daniel L. Mode
CMJ Marian Publishers
ISBN 9781891280085
ASIN B0097HRKGO

This is the fourth book I have read about military chaplains in the last year. This one was a recommendation after someone posted an icon of Father Capodanno and Father Kapaun. This book was an addictive read. I could hardly put it down, and gave up taking my lunch break two days in a row to keep reading. This book was originally published as a masters thesis in 1992. The edition I read was published in 2008 and is considered the 3rd edition. The book was expanded in 2001, and the 2008 edition was expanded again with more information and background on the Military Diocese. The author himself a military chaplain has researched extensively to prepare this book for us. And from what I can tell it is currently the only book about this man of God and his service. It is an inspiring story.

Prior to this book being recommended I did not know anything about Father Capodanno. But he has been described many ways, he was a navy chaplain, he was a member of the Maryknoll Fathers, he was a distinguished soldier who received the Congressional medal of honor, Bronze star and 3 purple hearts. And there are memorials and buildings around the world named after him. But after reading this story I think he is best described as a Catholic hero. He had a servants heart.

Vincent Capodanno volunteered when he saw the looming conflict in Vietnam. He left his role as a missionary and enrolled in the military. He was a grunt, he carried the same pack as the other marines. He lived their life, and he served them in body and spirit. The cause for the canonization of Fr Capodanno is underway. In 2006 he was named a Servant of God.

But this book is more than the telling of his military service. It is the story of his life, his struggles, his frustrations and his obedience to his calling, to his superiors and to God. The author states in the preface to this book:

"While I was studying at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and casting about for an M.A. research paper, Father Vincent emerged as a likely subject. Initially, I was going to opt for a fifty-page paper in which I would review the most publicly known events of his life. But the more I discovered about this remarkable man, the more I realized that such a modest paper would not do justice to him and to the ideals for which he stood. I wanted to determine the "whys" behind his actions, including the motivation for his joining the Chaplain Corps and his going to Vietnam with the U.S. Marines. I wanted to do as thorough a study as possible of this dedicated and brave priest. Consequently, I wrote a lengthy thesis rather than a brief paper."

And he did that with all of the resources available. Beginning with the few published articles about Father Vincent, his military and church records, and interactions with over 50 people who knew Father Vincent personally. So after compiling all of that material this book grew out of the research. Therefore the sections in this book are:

Foreword
Preface
Introduction
An Italian-American Family
Radiating Christ
The Field Afar
St. Martin's Cloak
The 7th Marines
Priest Of God - Servant Of Men
Semper Fidelis
An Inspiration:
Memorials
Postscript
A Bibliographic Essay

This book unlike those about Father Kapaun is not about being a pow, being tortured, being abused. It is about serving, serving in the front lines and making the ultimate sacrifice. The Vietnam War is for many still a hard topic, especially among my American friends. What this book does is bring a different light on the subject. It highlights one man who had an influence upon many. It was an inspiring read. And I can highly recommend it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Reviews of other books about Military Chaplains:
The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier and Korean War Hero - Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying
A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William Maher
The Grunt Padre: Father Vincent Robert Capodanno Vietnam 1966-1967 - Daniel L. Mode
The Priest Barracks Dachau 1938-1945 - Guillaume Zeller
Blessings from the Battlefield - Edited by Thomas R. O'Brien
Heroic Catholic Chaplains: Stories of the Brave and Holy Men Who Dodged Bullets While Saving Souls

Fr Willie Doyle & World War I: A Chaplain's Story - K.V. Turley
Armed with Faith The Life of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM - Stephen M. Digiovanni

Fighting Father Duffy - Jim Bishop, Virginia Lee Bishop and H. Lawrence Hoffman

...

For all reviews and articles about Military Chaplains click here.

Just a blog post rambling thoughts about books.

This year I have been reading the Catechism ever day again, loosely following a plan that will read the whole book in a year. I took this picture late last year. I do not actually read many physical books. I much prefer eBooks. But today I am tired, sore, and starting to feel a cold coming on. Because of my preference for eBooks I have a few things I wish for:

• I wish that all books were available electronically.
• I wish than so many eBooks I want to read were not geolocked (US Only, UK only, Australia only ...).
• Or why physical books are region specific.
• I do not understand why some eBooks cost more than the current paperback editions.

In this day and age books being locked to specific regions or countries does not make a lot of sense to me. But I am just an old bibliophile. But we do not always get what we wish for. With my dual form of dyslexia I find that I read faster and with better comprehension on an electronic device. But so many books I want to read are either not available in Canada, or often not available electronically. That being said as of today I have read 235 books so far this year. Reviewed the majority of them. And have a monster pile of books I wish to read.

Related posts:2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
2016 A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!

Related Posts:

Catholic Christianity - Peter Kreeft - A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church

YOUCAT Confession - YOUCAT

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition 

The Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church 

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church in a Year

Catholic Catechism Dialogue blog

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Ascension Edition

The Catechism in a Year Companion, Volume I

The Catechism in a Year Companion, Volume II

The Catechism in a Year Companion, Volume III

…

Books from the Council of Baltimore:

Baltimore Catechism One

Baltimore Catechism Two

Baltimore Catechism Three

Baltimore Catechism Four

Manual of Prayers: For the Use of the Catholic Laity - Third Plenary Council of Baltimore 

The Little Office of Baltimore - Claudio R Salvucci - Traditional Catholic Daily Prayer

…

Looking for recommendations, Catholic Military Chaplains WWI, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Canadian Chaplains ...

Looking for recommendations, Catholic Military Chaplains  WWI, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Canadian Chaplains ...

Greetings:

Over the last year I have read the following books about military chaplains.

• The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier and Korean War Hero - Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying
• A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William Maher
• The Story of Chaplain Kapaun: Patriot priest of the Korean conflict - Arthur Tonne
• The Grunt Padre: Father Vincent Robert Capodanno Vietnam 1966-1967 - Daniel L. Mode
• The Priest Barracks Dachau 1938-1945 - Guillaume Zeller

I am now looking for recommendations along the same lines. WWI, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Canadian Chaplains ...

Thanks in advance. Please post recommendations in the comments or drop me an email.

Steven

Reviews of other books by and about Father Emil Kapaun:

Blessings from the Battlefield - Edited by Thomas R. O'Brien

Heroic Catholic Chaplains: Stories of the Brave and Holy Men Who Dodged Bullets While Saving Souls

A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William Maher

The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier and Korean War Hero - Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying

Chaplains in Action - Rosemarian V. Staudacher and H. Lawrence Hoffman  - Vision Book #53

Virtue Series - Kapaun's Men - Formed

Stations of the Cross with Servant of God Emil Kapaun – Scott Carter (Editor)

Kapaun's Battle - Jeff Gress

Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Father Emil Kapaun

...

Reviews of other books about Military Chaplains:
The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier and Korean War Hero - Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying
A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division - William Maher
The Grunt Padre: Father Vincent Robert Capodanno Vietnam 1966-1967 - Daniel L. Mode
The Priest Barracks Dachau 1938-1945 - Guillaume Zeller
Blessings from the Battlefield - Edited by Thomas R. O'Brien
Heroic Catholic Chaplains: Stories of the Brave and Holy Men Who Dodged Bullets While Saving Souls

Fr Willie Doyle & World War I: A Chaplain's Story - K.V. Turley
Armed with Faith The Life of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM - Stephen M. Digiovanni

Fighting Father Duffy - Jim Bishop, Virginia Lee Bishop and H. Lawrence Hoffman

...

For all reviews and articles about Military Chaplains click here.

The Priest Barracks Dachau 1938-1945 - Guillaume Zeller

The Priest Barracks:
Dachau, 1938-1945
Guillaume Zeller
Michael J. Miller (Translator)
Ignatius Press
ISBN 9781621640998
eISBN 9781681497662
ASIN B071975HJN

I find that as much as I appreciate books about the Holocaust, and wars, I seldom love them. These are books that we need to read, they are books that we should read, but other than the triumph of the human spirit in these horrendous situations these books are often very hard to read. Prior to reading this book I was aware of some stories of some Christians, specific Catholics who had spent time in the concentration camps, but I was not aware of the extent of it. I was unaware of how many Catholic Priests were interned in the camps. I was unaware of the persecution they suffered, how they were singled out by the SS for extra punishment and torture.

Reading this book by no means diminishes the atrocities that the Jewish people and others suffered at the hands of Nazi Germany. But it tells another piece in that larger story. There are some incredible stories of sacrifice, service and true Christ like character in this chronicle.

The sections in this book are:
Map of the Dachau Concentration Camp
Introduction
I. A Camp for Priests
 1. The Precursors
 2. Centralization
 3. The Largest Diocese in Europe
 4. Organization of the Camp
 5. Zugänge
 6. Blocks and Commandos
 7. Jobs
II. “O Land of Distress”
 8. Hunger
 9. Dying in Dachau
 10. Typhus
 11. Anti-Christian Hatred
 12. Medical Experiments
 13. Himmelsfahrts Transport
III. A Spiritual Home
 14. A Chapel in Dachau
 15. The Eucharist
 16. Sacramental Life
 17. Liberation
 18. The Fruits of Dachau
 19. Witnesses and Blesseds
Conclusion
Appendices
Glossary
Abbreviations
Chronology
The Priests in Dachau: Statistics
Bibliography

Some of the stories that really hit home for me were those about specific Pallotine fathers. The parish we attend and that is associated with my children’s school is served by priests from this order. The example the priests lived in the camps is character I have seen in the half dozen members of this order I have known over the years.

This is the Chronology of priests at Dachau:
March 22, 1933: The camp in Dachau opens.
1938: Arrival of the first priests from Austria.
December 1940: Priests are grouped together in Dachau.
December 14, 1940: 525 priests arrive from Mauthausen.
January 21, 1941: First Mass at the chapel.
February 1, 1941: Severe punishments for the priests of the snow commando.
March 10, 1941: Start of the “privileges”.
September 1941: End of the “privileges”, except for the German priests gathered in Block 26. Father Ohnmacht replaces Father Prabucki as chaplain of the priests.
October 30, 1941: Arrival of a convoy of 487 Polish priests.
January 9, 1941: Fathers Pawłowski and Grelewski are hanged.
March 28, 1942: Beginning of the “Holy Week” persecutions.
April 19, 1942: Non-German priests without a work assignment join the plantation commandos.
Spring 1942: Beginning of the “transports of the disabled”.
September-December 1942: Medical experiments conducted at peak operation.
October 28, 1942: The priests, except for the Germans, are deprived of Brotzeit for four weeks.
November 1942: Start of large-scale experiments on phlegmons.
End of 1942: Individual packages are allowed.
December 19, 1942: Priests of all nationalities are regrouped in Block 26, except for Poles and Lithuanians.
December 1942: Epidemic of typhus and quarantine.
January 26, 1943: Death of Bishop Michał Kozal.
March 14, 1943: Quarantine lifted.
March 16, 1943: Father Schelling replaces Father Ohnmacht as chaplain.
Spring 1943: Start of “leisure activities” and sports events.
March 14, 1944: Priests are dismissed from the postal commandos.
March 30, 1944: Priests must leave all infirmarian positions at the Revier.
Summer 1944: French priests arrive in great numbers. Polish priests are tolerated at the chapel.
November 12, 1944: The camp in Dachau is raised to the rank of deanery by the Archbishop of Munich.
December 1944: Beginning of the typhus epidemic.
December 17, 1944: Priestly ordination of Karl Leisner.
April 26, 1945: Partial evacuation of the camp: some German priests join the “death convoy”.
April 29, 1945: Liberation of the camp.

From early on until the end of the war there were two barracks dedicated to housing catholic priests, at the peak there were three full barracks dedicated to these men. 

And here are the official statistics for Priests in the Camps:

This was a very important book to read. I am thankful that it came across my desk. I have been inspired by many of the stories. I have been encouraged by the faith these men lived and that over a third gave their life for. The research and writing was excellent, and I hope that someday Zeller’s other books are translated into English as well. I recommend this book, read it so that we do not forget, read it so we are challenged, and read it so that we may be inspired.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Guillaume Zeller:
English Titles:
The Priest Barracks: Dachau 1938 – 1945

French Titles:
Oran, 5 Juillet 1962 : Un Massacre Oublié
Un Prêtre à la guerre: Le témoignage d'un aumônier parachutiste
La Baraque des prêtres, Dachau 1938-1945

The Sign of the Carved Cross - Lisa M. Hendey and Jenn Bower - Chime Travelers Book 2

The Sign of the Carved Cross
Chime Travelers Book 2
Lisa M. Hendey
Jenn Bower (Illustrator)
Servant Books a division of
Franciscan  Media
ISBN 9781616368487

In the same week that I finished this book I read Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: Courageous Faith by Lillian M Fisher, part of the Encounter the Saints series. Both are excellent reads. My daughter and I read this book together and then read the Fisher one right after. We loved this book and have developed a devotion to Saint Kateri through these books. This was the third book in this series that my oldest and I have read together. This time she read more than I did, which with a reluctant reader is truly a blessing. She loved this story and often asked for an extra chapter and went beyond our required daily reading time.

I will be honest and say that neither my daughter nor I really knew much about St. Kateri before we began reading this book. When we got to the section at the end of the book about the real Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, and especially the mention of her ending up near Montreal Canada my daughter immediately wanted to know more. This book like the others in the series we have read does a great job of making the saints real. It brings to life the life, times and struggles of ST. Kateri in a very vivid way. And having a young girl travel in time and spend time with a real saint really challenged and encouraged my daughter.

My daughter relished the experience of watching Katie transported in time and place to live with a saint. Her favorite part of the book was Katie's realization that she herself had not been so nice at home before this adventure began; and her commitment to do better going forward. My daughter also realized how much our words and actions can impact others, even when we do not see it.

For me I love the concept of the series; children who are travel in time, when the bells of their church ring. Each time they travel, they is a lesson they need to learn so that when they come back they can have a different impact on their family, school, parish or circle of friends. And in this book the lessons of compassion, living to serve, and personal time in prayer were brought home wonderfully.

There is a prayer at the end of the book:
"Collect of the Mass in honor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha from the Roman Missal:
Lord God, you called the virgin St. Kateri Tekakwitha, to shine among the American Indian people as an example of innocence of life. Through her intercession, may all peoples of every tribe, tongue and nation, having been gathered into Your Church, proclaim your greatness in one song of praise. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen."
And my daughter and I have rayed it together a number of times since finishing the book. 

This was the third book by Lisa M. Hendey that I have read. My oldest and I loved it and now we are reading it to my younger two children. Lisa Hendey is an editor and one of the founders at CatholicMom.com she has written numerous books, fiction and non-fiction, and also contributed to a number of other books. I started with the fifth book in this series as a teat and have gone back and am now reading them with my children in order. Our whole family love the numerous illustrations by Jenn Bower, in this book and in the whole series. The illustrations are fun and add to the story. 

This is a great read and part of an excellent series. It teaches good lessons without being preachy. It helps children come to their own conclusions, and I can say that for my oldest it has inspired change in her life. My oldest and I both recommended this book for the whole family.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Lisa M. Hendey:
The Handbook for Catholic Moms
A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms
The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living
O Radiant Dawn: 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath
As Morning Breaks: Daily Gospel Reflection.
I Am God's Storyteller 
...

Chime Travelers Series:
The Secret of the Shamrock
The Sign of the Carved Cross
The Whisper in the Ruins
The Mystery at Midnight
The Strangers at the Manger

Contributed to:
Beautiful Mercy

Beautiful Eucharist
Small Steps for Catholic Moms
The Catholic Baby Name Book
One Body, Many Blogs: A Guide for Christian Bloggers
The Catholic Mom S Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections
The Church and New Media

Bobby - Barry Lyga - A Short Story

Bobby: 
A Short Story
Barry Lyga
ASIN B074G3NSV1

This year fans of Barry Lyga’s work, and fans of short stories are receiving 12 new short stories from His masterful pen. Bobby is the 8th instalment in the 2017 Short Story Series from Barry Lyga. It started in the fall of 2016 after the US General Election, the next day Barry asked himself what he could do, and he decided to use his words. For as an author words are his craft. And freedom of speech is core to him being able to write about what he wants to write about. He decided to publish a short story each month this year and to donate the proceeds to the ACLU. You can read about why he is doing this on his site. For his loyal fans or fans of great short stories it is a win win situation. Barry gets to do something, and contribute to the ACLU who gets the revenue. And as readers we get some great short stories to consume. But be warned each story is only available for a month so you need to get it while you can. 

This is one of the best of the 8 stories released so far this year. The description of this book is one of the shortest of the series: “Bobby’s life is a story of tragedy and privilege. Of death and victory. Of defeat and faith. See it from the inside.” This is a very powerful short story. And like others in the series, Barry writes and introduction to the story, and also a piece about how the story came to be after the story. About this story he writes: 

“The man I’d always thought of as “John’s little brother, who did some stuff, too” was revealed to be passionate and complex and brilliant. He was both Hamlet and MacBeth; Atticus Finch and Bruce Wayne. Brave in mind-boggling ways.“

And he also declares:

“It’s strange to write a story like this, even stranger to present it to the world. Those above a certain age will catch every reference and will know from the first scene in California exactly whom the story is about and will anticipate the inevitable ending. Those below a certain age will probably never get it.”

And that is likely true. It is a great little story. This story really packs a lot of punch. Buying this short story will help support freedom of speech in the US. An excellent read so grab it while it is available.

Books by Barry Lyga:

I Hunt Killers:
I Hunt Killers (2012)
Game - I Hunt Killers #2 (2013)
Blood of My Blood - I Hunt Killers # 3 (2014)

Every Hunter is Hunter (2026)

…

I Hunt Killers Short Stories:
Down Time (2018)
Lucky Day (2014)
Career Day (2012)
Neutral Mask (2013)
Blood Boy (2014)

…

Before the Hunt (2025)

…

Brookdale High:
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (2006)
Boy Toy (2007)
Hero Type (2008)
Goth Girl Rising (2009)
Bang (2017)

...

Archvillian:
Archvillain #1 (2010)
The Mad Mask - Archvillian #2 (2011)
Yesterday Again - Archvillian #3 (2013)

...

The Flash Series:
Hocus Pocus (2017)
Johnny Quick (2018)
Tornado Twins (2018)

…

Crossover Crisis Series:

Green Arrow's Perfect Shot (2019)

Supergirl's Sacrifice (2020)

The Legends of Forever (2021)

…

Other Books By Barry Lyga:
Graphic Novels in Your Media Center: A definitive Guide (with Alison A.W. Lyga - 2004)
Wolverine: Worst Day Ever (2009)
MangaMan (with Colleen Dorren 2011)
Unsoul'd (2013)
After The Red Rain (2015)
The Secret Sea (2016)
Thanos Titan Consumed (2018)
The Hive (2019)

...

Short Story Project 2017
The Ghosts at 95
Loving The University
The Ideas of March
Four Minutes
Pulse vs. the Killing Fiend
Her Decade
The Life Cycle of Stars (Ignition)
Bobby
Trading Worlds
When I Die
The Autopsying of Michael Edward Morgan
Meet Me Tonight
...

Contributed to:
Geektastic (2009)
Who Done It? (2013)

Author Profile and Interview with Barry Lyga
Author Profile and Interview with Randall Banner