PILSEN, Kansas – It was in his hometown of
Pilsen, Kansas that hundreds came to pay tribute.
"We always knew that he was holy," Father Kapaun's sister-in-law Helen Kapaun said.
People from across the country are starting to learn more about the Kansas priest.
During the Korean War, Kapaun died in a P.O.W. camp. He is credited for giving up his food to help feed starving soldiers. Kapaun also turned down a chance to be released so he could continue to care for the soldiers.
"The fact that after serving in World War II, he requested to go back to serve in Korea are significant events," Archbishop Timothy Broglio said.
They are significant events that have made Father Kapaun’s life not only well known to Kansas but to those across the country. It is now a yearly tradition that hundreds of people from across the country trek to tiny Pilsen, Kansas to pay tribute to Father Kapaun.
People from as far away as Baltimore, Maryland turned out for the annual mass and wreath laying ceremony to celebrate Kapaun’s life.
Currently, the Catholic Church is investigating two alleged miracles in the Wichita diocese that are linked to the priest.
"All of the work we do literally gets boxed up and sent over to Rome for Rome to review at the Congregation of Saints," Father John Hotze said.
If the miracles are proven true, the Pilsen native could become only the third U.S. born saint in the Catholic Church. However, for those who paid tribute to Kapaun on this Veterans Day, it was less about sainthood and more about learning from someone who sacrificed so much.
"We are very appreciative for all that people have done to honor Father Emil," Kapaun said.
