The Next Time You're In Kansas, You'll Want to Visit These Places Dedicated to Fr. Emil Kapaun
Though I was born and raised (and currently live) in Colorado, Kansas will always have a special place in my heart.
It's where my mom is from, so we spent many beautiful summers and Christmases.
It's where I attended college and met my husband.
It's where we welcomed our first son.
Since I have such a special connection to the state, I am also interested in Servant of God, Fr. Emil Kapaun.
Born on April 20, 1916, in Pilsen, Kansas, Kapaun was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1940. He began his service as a military chaplain during World War II, serving in Burma and India before returning to the United States. He rejoined the Army Chaplain Corps in 1948.
During the Korean War, Father Kapaun served with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He became renowned for his bravery and selflessness, repeatedly risking his life to rescue wounded soldiers from the battlefield, ministering to their spiritual needs, and providing moral support. Captured by Chinese forces in November 1950, Kapaun continued to serve as a spiritual leader and source of inspiration for his fellow prisoners despite suffering from severe health issues.
Father Kapaun died in captivity on May 23, 1951. His fellow prisoners credited him with saving hundreds of lives through his selfless acts and spiritual leadership. In 1993, he was posthumously awarded the title of "Servant of God" by the Vatican, initiating the cause for his canonization. In 2013, President Barack Obama awarded him the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism and selflessness.
Isn't Fr. Kapaun amazing? We sure think he is, which is why we highly recommend visiting these sites that are dedicated to or have a history with him:
The first stop on our Fr. Kapaun pilgrimage is a no-brainer - it's the Chaplain Kapaun Museum in his hometown of Pilsen, Kansas!
Nestled away just north of Highway 56, the Chaplain Kapaun Museum is located in Fr. Kapaun's original rectory.
Open on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 1 pm to 4 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm, the Chaplain Kapaun Museum showcases many personal and family artifacts, plus art, garments, and a beautiful grotto.
Custom tours of the Museum are available and can be booked via their website or by calling Melissa at (785) 366-0790.
A unique opportunity for pilgrims is getting to visit the church where Fr. Kapaun's faith was formed, which is precisely what you can do at the St. John Nepomucene Church, located adjacent to the Museum.
While just seeing this stunning sanctuary is a must, attending mass makes the experience even better!
After visiting the Museum and Church in Pilsner, you will want to head down the road to Wichita, home to Fr. Kapaun's Tomb.
Nestled in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fr. Kapain's remains were brought home to Kansas in 2021 after being located and identified in Hawaii.
In addition to the Tomb, the Cathedral is home to mass and special parish events, plus a gathering space with more information on Fr. Kapaun and a tranquil outdoor courtyard garden.
To learn more about special tours and when you can visit Fr. Kapaun's Tomb, please visit the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception's website.
Last but certainly not least on this Fr. Kapaun pilgrimage is a hidden gem that few people know about - the Latimer Lutheran Church in Latimer, Kansas.
Recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, the Latimer Lutheran Church is one of the state's last remaining WWII military chapels and just so happens to be where Fr. Kapaun served as an army chaplain!
Though the Latimer Lutheran Church does not have regular hours of operation, it hosts many special events, which can be found on its website.
Who says Kansas is flyover country? Not I! If you’re ever traveling through, we pray you have an opportunity to experience this pilgrimage for yourself.
Servant of God, Emil Kapaun, pray for us!