About a week and a half ago, I attended my very first pilgrimage ever. Sixty miles, four days, one unforgettable experience. I walked for hours in the hot, summer sun from Wichita to Pilsen, Kansas in memory of Fr. Emil Kapaun (1916-1951).
Day two of the Fr. Kapaun pilgrimage.
Fr. Kapaun is my hero. After serving as a military chaplain in World War II, he returned again to the battleground to serve as chaplain in the Korean War. He and many of his men were captured by Chinese soldiers and sent to a prisoner of war camp. Despite enduring constant suffering and torture, Fr. Kapaun kept the prisoners' spirit and faith alive with his prayers, love, and perseverance. Fr. Kapaun died in Pyoktong, North Korea on May 23, 1951, but his legacy continues to live on. With three miracles under his belt, Fr. Kapaun is on the road to canonization.
Fr. Kapaun (right) helps a fellow, injured soldier on the battlefield.
So what did I learn from this pilgrimage? Well, I learned how important water and bug spray is (seriously, they're a lifesaver). I learned that after walking twenty miles, you don't mind sleeping on the cold, hard ground in a cramped tent. I learned that God works in mysterious ways and the power of prayer is unfathomable. But the biggest thing I probably learned from this walk is this:
Fr. Kapaun was not only a man of God; he was a brother to his comrades. He risked his life to save a wounded friend lying helplessly on the ground. He was there for all of them, physically and spiritually, 24/7. He performed mass in the riskiest and most dangerous times and places. He shared his ration of food to everyone instead of keeping it all to himself. He refused to let the POW feel alone, defeated, and scared. In times like these, we would have ran away and left. But not Fr. Kapaun. He is the epitome of brotherly love, authentic sacrifice, and heroism.
The statue of Fr. Kapaun located in Pilsen, Kansas.
I learned how important it is to love everyone, to be there for a brother in need, and how beautiful self-sacrifice is. I can only hope to be half the man Fr. Kapaun was. Not everyone has the courage and guts to lay down their life for their brothers next to them. I admire the brave men and women in the military who demonstrate that kind of bravery today.
Let's all follow Fr. Kapaun's example and be that brother (or sister) for everyone. We all need to give a helping hand. We all need to pick up those who need help off the ground. We all need to be selfless. The greatest form of love is giving it and expecting nothing in return. Love is a battle, fight for it anyway.
I will end with one of my most favorite Bible quotes of all time:
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for his friends." - John 15:13
Fr. Kapaun, pray for us!
My brothers and me on the last day of the pilgrimage with eight more miles to go.
