Servant of God Father Vincent Robert Capodanno

Born: February 13, 1929
Death: September 4, 1967
Cause for Canonization Opened: May 19, 2006
Declared Servant of God: May of 2006

Servant of God Fr. Vincent Robert Capodanno, the tenth child in a large Italian immigrant family, grew up learning and living the faith. He regularly attended daily Mass while in high school and while attending Fordham University, after which he attended Maryknoll Seminary and was ordained after 9 years of study. Fr. Capodanno had a missionary heart and went to Taiwan shortly after his ordination, after a few years, he transferred to Hong Kong. There he began to minister to the United States Navy sailors stationed there in addition to the people of Hong Kong. In 1965, he was given permission to enlist as a U.S. Navy chaplain and in 1966 he reported to the 7th Marines in Vietnam, living, sleeping, eating, and suffering as the Marines did. He was the first Navy chaplain to join Marines on patrols and on the battlefield. On September 4, 1967, during an ambush, Fr. Capodanno continued to minister to soldiers medically and spiritually, and gave the ultimate sacrifice as he ran into the open in order to assist a wounded soldier. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Read his story of courage, selflessness, and faith here.

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

by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

Almighty and merciful God, look with Love on those who plead for Your help. Through the intercession of your servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, missionary and Catholic Navy Chaplain, grant the favor I earnestly seek (mention the request). May Vincent, who died bringing consolation to the Marines he was privileged to serve on the field of battle, intercede in my need as I pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.