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The Miracle of Father Kapaun

Father Emil Kapaun was a Kansas priest and Korean War hero from Pilsen who led an extraordinary life and may be on the road to sainthood. He has been nominated for the Medal of Honor and is being investigated by the Vatican for possible sainthood. Order your copy of the book online.

Father Kapaun Documentary and Trailers

Now available: A full-length documentary on Father Kapaun featuring some of the soldiers he saved during the Korean War and a young athlete from Sedgwick County who believes Kapaun saved his life last year. Watch trailer No. 1 or trailer No. 2.

Buy the DVD

The Miracle of Father Kapaun DVD is now available for $19.95. Order your copy online.

You also can purchase DVDs at the customer service counter at The Wichita Eagle, 825 E. Douglas, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The DVD will be $19.95 there also, and subscribers can receive a $2 discount.

The series

Sunday, Part 1: Father Emil Kapaun, a chaplain during the Korean War, braves gunfire to save a wounded soldier

Monday, Part 2: During the viciousness of the Death March, Father Kapaun cares for his fellow prisoners

Tuesday, Part 3: Father Kapaun emerges as a spiritual leader in prison camps

Wednesday, Part 4: Father Kapaun leads POWs in a quiet rebellion against the Communists, angering the guards

Thursday, Part 5: Father Kapaun more openly challenges the guards while his health declines.

Friday, Part 6: Prisoners attempt to hide Father Kapaun's illness from the guards, who isolate and kill him

Saturday, Part 7: POWs begin pleading to reward Father Kapaun with the Medal of Honor and sainthood

Sunday, Dec. 13, Part 8: A medical recovery in Sedgwick County is called a modern-day miracle and is attributed to Father Kapaun

Father Kapaun prayer

Father Emil Kapaun gave
glory to God by following
his call to the priesthood and
thus serving the people of Kansas
and those in the military.
Father Kapaun, I ask your
intercession not only for these needs
which I mention now ... but that I
too may follow your example of
service to God and my neighbor.
For the gifts of courage in battle
and perseverance of faith,
we give you thanks O Lord.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Father Kapaun Guild

Father Kapaun documents

From childhood

• Kapaun's grade cards (May 19, 1925)
• Kapaun's childhood diary (October, 1929)
• Kapaun's childhood diary (October, 1929)
• Kapaun's St. John's school annual

From military service

• Kapaun's final service orders (Feb. 20, 1950)
• Letter to Kapaun's father about his capture (Aug. 24, 1951)
• U.S. Army official statement of death for Kapaun (Jan. 4, 1954)
• U.S. Army statement of death letter to Kapaun's father (Jan. 4, 1955)

Letters and other correspondence

• Easter card and other personal notes from Kapaun
• Kapaun's letter requesting promotion to the priesthood (April 6, 1940)
• Kapaun's letter to his parents (June 17, 1949)
• Kapaun's letter home (Aug. 18, 1950)
• Letter from Kapaun, believed to be the last he ever wrote (Oct. 13, 1950)
• Friend's letter to Kapaun, returned undelivered (Dec. 18, 1950)
• Letter to Kapaun's mother from fellow prisoner, including prayers Kapaun wrote on a paper towel (May 18, 1954)

Records

• Kapaun's permits and membership cards
• Kapaun's Priests' Record, Diocese of Wichita