God's Marines Patron Saint
“The Grunt Padre reminds us that one man can make a difference in the lives of many.”~Colonel Turley
Venerable Father Vincent Capodanno is the God’s Marines patron saint for many reasons but especially because He was the “Grunt Padre” You are invited to learn more about this great man and to pray to him for his intercession.
Father Capodanno grew up on Staten Island, NY in the 1940’s and 1950’s. He decided to become a Maryknoll missionary Priest and work to bring souls to Jesus in another country. His first missionary assignment was in Taiwan where he served the poor and disadvantaged. He served them for seven years upon which he was transferred to Hong Kong. It was their that Fr. Capodanno requested to become a U.S Navy Chaplain to work with the Marines in Vietnam. “He was drawn to the cutting edge where he would be not just a Catholic Priest, but a missionary; not just a missionary, but a military chaplain; not just a military chaplain, but a Marine…. He explemplified what the Old Testament reveals as the fundamental attribute of God as Father: fidelity. He would find himself at home with men who lived by the words “Semper Fidelis”…Father Vincent gave the witness of Christ’s self emptying every day of his service in Vietnam. In place of bitterness and despair before suffering, he gave his Marines an example of faith and love. He endured the same trials, but always stood ready to offer a compassionate ear, a kind word, a helping hand.”~Grunt Padre by Fr. Mode
As chaplain in the Marines Father Capodanno's goal was to be with the men and that meant he had to become one with them. He would get into the trenches and foxholes and share with them their pains and sorrows with them. He would always have a present for each Marine that he spent time with maybe a St. Christopher medal or some goody that came by the way of his friends stateside. After a shortwhile the Grunt Marines gave him the affectionate title “Grunt Padre”.
Father Capodanno described his work as, “I am just there with them – I walk with them and sit with them; I eat with them and sleep in the holes with them – and I talk with them – but only when they are ready to talk. It takes time, but I never rush them.” One of his fellow officers described this about him, “No Marine could know Chaplain Capodanno and not be a infinitely better human being for it.”
Father Capodanno always encouraged men of all faiths to do more for their God, our Country, their Corps and themselves….His usual routine was to visit the outlying bunkers where squads of four men in each bunker ensured perimeter protection for the command post of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Bunker duty, so vital to the security of the unit, required constant vigilance. One of the Four Marines had to keep watch at all times throughout the night.~Grunt Padre by Fr. Mode
He was fearless in his resolve to be with his Marines as much as humanely possible even if that meant exposing himself to great dangers. This was most exemplified on the day he died when he was injured multiple times but brushed off the assistance of corpsmen and continued to minister to his Marines looking them in the eye to reassure them of God’s love and that they would be all right regardless of the outcome of the day. His final day culminated in the ultimate sacrifice when helping a injured corpsman he was riddled with 27 bullets, ending his life. For his actions that day he earned the Medal of Honor. One man who saw his body said this, “He had a smile on his face and his eyelids were closed as if asleep or in prayer.”
“I consider it the greatest privilege of my life to have suffered together with you for Christ”~Bishop Byrne
“Belief in Christ brings with it a deeply rooted sense of the primacy and urgency of now. Not last year or next year, but now. Each of us has been given talents and ability by almighty God. We should ask ourselves if we are using these to the best of our ability. If we don’t use them here, chances are we’ll not use them elsewhere either. There will always be an excuse.”Ven. Capodanno
My brothers now is the time to commit yourselves to the Lord and His service, to Bring Souls to Christ, you can do this always by prayer and sacrifice. “Semper Christos!”
As our Patron Saint Venerable Vincent Capodanno will continue “His usual routine was to visit the outlying bunkers where squads of four men in each bunker ensured perimeter protection for the command post.” We are now the four men he visits to ensure we will continue to protect the Church with our prayers and sacrifices.
To learn more about Venerable Vincent Capodanno I recommend reading this excellent book or watching the DVD about him called, Grunt Padre by Father Mode
http://www.catholicfreeshipping.com/grundpadre.html
Venerable Father Vincent Capodanno is the God’s Marines patron saint for many reasons but especially because He was the “Grunt Padre” You are invited to learn more about this great man and to pray to him for his intercession.
Father Capodanno grew up on Staten Island, NY in the 1940’s and 1950’s. He decided to become a Maryknoll missionary Priest and work to bring souls to Jesus in another country. His first missionary assignment was in Taiwan where he served the poor and disadvantaged. He served them for seven years upon which he was transferred to Hong Kong. It was their that Fr. Capodanno requested to become a U.S Navy Chaplain to work with the Marines in Vietnam. “He was drawn to the cutting edge where he would be not just a Catholic Priest, but a missionary; not just a missionary, but a military chaplain; not just a military chaplain, but a Marine…. He explemplified what the Old Testament reveals as the fundamental attribute of God as Father: fidelity. He would find himself at home with men who lived by the words “Semper Fidelis”…Father Vincent gave the witness of Christ’s self emptying every day of his service in Vietnam. In place of bitterness and despair before suffering, he gave his Marines an example of faith and love. He endured the same trials, but always stood ready to offer a compassionate ear, a kind word, a helping hand.”~Grunt Padre by Fr. Mode
As chaplain in the Marines Father Capodanno's goal was to be with the men and that meant he had to become one with them. He would get into the trenches and foxholes and share with them their pains and sorrows with them. He would always have a present for each Marine that he spent time with maybe a St. Christopher medal or some goody that came by the way of his friends stateside. After a shortwhile the Grunt Marines gave him the affectionate title “Grunt Padre”.
Father Capodanno described his work as, “I am just there with them – I walk with them and sit with them; I eat with them and sleep in the holes with them – and I talk with them – but only when they are ready to talk. It takes time, but I never rush them.” One of his fellow officers described this about him, “No Marine could know Chaplain Capodanno and not be a infinitely better human being for it.”
Father Capodanno always encouraged men of all faiths to do more for their God, our Country, their Corps and themselves….His usual routine was to visit the outlying bunkers where squads of four men in each bunker ensured perimeter protection for the command post of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Bunker duty, so vital to the security of the unit, required constant vigilance. One of the Four Marines had to keep watch at all times throughout the night.~Grunt Padre by Fr. Mode
He was fearless in his resolve to be with his Marines as much as humanely possible even if that meant exposing himself to great dangers. This was most exemplified on the day he died when he was injured multiple times but brushed off the assistance of corpsmen and continued to minister to his Marines looking them in the eye to reassure them of God’s love and that they would be all right regardless of the outcome of the day. His final day culminated in the ultimate sacrifice when helping a injured corpsman he was riddled with 27 bullets, ending his life. For his actions that day he earned the Medal of Honor. One man who saw his body said this, “He had a smile on his face and his eyelids were closed as if asleep or in prayer.”
“I consider it the greatest privilege of my life to have suffered together with you for Christ”~Bishop Byrne
“Belief in Christ brings with it a deeply rooted sense of the primacy and urgency of now. Not last year or next year, but now. Each of us has been given talents and ability by almighty God. We should ask ourselves if we are using these to the best of our ability. If we don’t use them here, chances are we’ll not use them elsewhere either. There will always be an excuse.”Ven. Capodanno
My brothers now is the time to commit yourselves to the Lord and His service, to Bring Souls to Christ, you can do this always by prayer and sacrifice. “Semper Christos!”
As our Patron Saint Venerable Vincent Capodanno will continue “His usual routine was to visit the outlying bunkers where squads of four men in each bunker ensured perimeter protection for the command post.” We are now the four men he visits to ensure we will continue to protect the Church with our prayers and sacrifices.
To learn more about Venerable Vincent Capodanno I recommend reading this excellent book or watching the DVD about him called, Grunt Padre by Father Mode
http://www.catholicfreeshipping.com/grundpadre.html
