On Sept. 19, 2025, Father Paul Lee, the Korean-American pastor of the Shrine of St. Jude Catholic Church in Rockville, Maryland celebrated Mass in memory of Father Emil Kapaun, a U.S. Army chaplain who was declared “Venerable” on Feb. 24, 2025, the second step on the path to canonization.
During the Korean War, Father Kapaun was known for celebrating Mass outdoors using the hood of an Army jeep as the altar.
Father Lee reflected on the short life of Father Kapaun, a priest from Wichita, Kansas, who died age 35 at the hands of the Chinese at Pyoktong POW Camp in Korea.
Father Kapaun was taken prisoner in November 1950 while serving as chaplain in the U.S. 8th Cavalry Regiment when it was attacked by overwhelming Chinese forces. Father Lee described Father Kapaun as “the shepherd in combat boots, a recklessly brave chaplain, and a soldier who didn’t fire a gun.”
Father Lee detailed how Father Kapaun, with little regard for his own health or safety, would scrounge grains and corn to feed the wounded and became known as the “most accomplished food thief.”
Father Lee issued a call to honor Father Kapaun.
“Father Kapaun’s calm and serene demeanor had a tremendous influence on the morale of the troops both before and after capture,” Father Lee said. “Shortly before his death on May 23, 1951, he had Protestants, Jews, and atheists saying the Rosary together, defying camp guards.”
Despite his cruel treatment, on his way to his own death, Father Kapaun blessed the guards saying, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Father Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2013.
Father Lee noted Father Kapaun’s remains were “miraculously discovered in March 2021, 70 years after his death.” After being identified in Hawaii in September 2021, the remains were escorted to their final resting place in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. Included in the official escort was Father Kapaun’s nephew and niece. Father Lee also attended the funeral Mass in Wichita.
The Father Kapaun Mass, concelebrated by Father Juan Pablo Noboa, was offered in the school’s parking lot using the hood of a 1944 World War II Army jeep provided by retired Army Colonel Jeffery Jarkowsky.
Colonel Jarkowsky noted that “like much of the equipment used during the Korean War, World War II vehicles like that jeep continued their service during that conflict.” He is director of Leader Development for the Educational Enrichment for Young Patriots. The organization uses the jeep to help engage and educate the public in honoring our nation’s veterans.
Covering the hood of the jeep was an Army blanket provided by Colonel Jarkowsky. In homage to Father Kapaun, Father Lee and Father Juan Pablo wore chasubles such as one worn by Father Kapaun during the war.
The Mass was attended by parishioners, school parents, and students of St. Jude Regional Catholic School, led by Principal Jeanne Donatelli. Students with parents in the military, law enforcement, or first responders participated in the Mass.
Also in attendance were honored guests who are emergency response providers, both active duty and retired, including David Park, a retired U.S. Army Major, with more than 23 years of military experience, including five combat tours in the Middle East and two in Korea.
“As a Korean American, and a Catholic, U.S. Army veteran, I feel a special bond with Chaplain Kapaun, who died not only for our American Soldiers, protecting and serving them as a shepherd, but also dying fighting in part to defend the people of Korea against Communist aggression from China,” Major Park said. “I look forward to his canonization.”
Before Mass began, St. John’s College High School Cadet Corps Color Guard presented the colors. The Color Guard, directed by John Copeland, is a ceremonial unit demonstrating precision, discipline, and teamwork through the presentation of the colors of the nation, state, and school.
Father Kapaun’s cause for canonization continues, with two reported miracles being studied by the Vatican. One miracle must be approved for the beatification of Father Kapaun, and two must be approved for his canonization. Venerable Emil Kapaun, Pray for Us.
(Michelle Blanchard Ardillo is a freelance writer and parishioner at the Shrine of St. Jude. She recently retired from a long career as a Catholic school teacher, including her parish school, St. Jude Regional Catholic School.)
