View source for Servant of God Vincent Capodanno

{{Saints
|SaintName=Servant of God Vincent Capodanno
|SaintStage=Servant of God
|SaintBirthDate=February 13, 1929
|SaintBirthPlace=Staten Island, New York, United States
|SaintBirthCoordinates=40.6267, -74.1496
|SaintDeathDate=September 4, 1967
|DeathPlace=Quế Sơn Valley, Vietnam
|SaintDeathCoordinates=15.6167, 108.1333
|SaintCauseOfDeath=Martyrdom (killed in action)
|NotableAddress1=Maryknoll Missionary Seminary, Ossining, New York, United States
|NotableCoordinates1=41.2029, -73.8674
|NotableAddress2=Taiwan (missionary work)
|NotableCoordinates2=23.6978, 120.9605
|NotableAddress3=Hong Kong (missionary work)
|NotableCoordinates3=22.3193, 114.1694
|NotableAddress4=
|NotableCoordinates4=
|NotableAddress5=
|NotableCoordinates5=
|BeatificationDate=
|Beatifier=
|BeatificationLocation=
|Canonized=No
|CanonizationDate=
|Canonizer=
|CanonizationLocation=
|SaintMiracle1=Healing of a Florida woman with multiple sclerosis
|SaintMiracle2=
|SaintMiracle3=
|FeastDay=
|Profession=Priest, Navy Chaplain
|ReligiousAffiliation=Maryknoll Missioners
|Patronage=Military chaplains, Marines, Vietnam War veterans
|Attributes=Chaplain’s uniform, rosary, prayer book
|PrimaryShrine=Saint Peters Cemetery, West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York
|AdditionalVeneration=
|AssociatedCountries=United States, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong
|AssociatedDioceses=Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA; Diocese of Brooklyn
|ReviewLevel=0
}}

'''Vincent Robert Capodanno Jr.''' (13 February 1929 – September 4, 1967) was an American [[Roman Catholic]] [[priest]] and [[Maryknoll Missioners|Maryknoll Missioner]] who served as a [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] [[chaplain]] during the [[Vietnam War]]. Known for his selfless dedication to the Marines he served, he was posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his heroic actions on September 4, 1967, in [[Quế Sơn Valley]], [[Vietnam]], where he was killed in action while ministering to wounded and dying soldiers during a fierce battle.<ref name="cmohs">{{Cite web |title=Vincent R. Capodanno |url=https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/vincent-r-capodanno |publisher=Congressional Medal of Honor Society |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref> The [[Catholic Church]] declared him a [[Saints|Servant of God]] in 2006, marking the first step toward potential [[canonization]], recognizing his life of heroic virtue.<ref name="milarch2006">{{Cite web |title=Father Vincent R. Capodanno Remembered |url=https://www.milarch.org/father-vincent-r-capodanno-remembered/ |publisher=Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA |date=2013-09-04 |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref>

Born in [[Staten Island]], [[New York (state)|New York]], Capodanno felt a calling to the [[priesthood]] early in life, entering the [[Maryknoll Missionary Seminary]] in [[Ossining, New York|Ossining]], [[New York (state)|New York]], in 1949.<ref name="wikipedia">{{Cite web |title=Vincent R. Capodanno |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_R._Capodanno |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref> After serving as a missionary in [[Taiwan]] and [[Hong Kong]], he joined the Navy Chaplain Corps in 1965, motivated by a desire to serve soldiers in [[Vietnam]].<ref name="capodannoguild">{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.capodannoguild.org/ |publisher=Father Vincent Capodanno Guild |date=2023-09-18 |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref> His tireless pastoral care earned him the nickname “Grunt Padre” among the Marines, reflecting his deep connection with enlisted men.<ref name="mode">{{Cite book |last=Mode |first=Daniel L. |title=The Grunt Padre: The Service and Sacrifice of Father Vincent Robert Capodanno |publisher=CMJ Marian Publishers |year=2000 |isbn=978-1890718039}}</ref> Capodanno’s cause for [[canonization]] continues, with a reported miracle involving the healing of a Florida woman with multiple sclerosis under review by the [[Vatican]].<ref name="wikipedia" /> His legacy is honored through memorials, including a statue in [[Gaeta]], [[Italy]], and the USS Capodanno, a naval ship named in his honor.<ref name="milarch2006" />

==Biography==

===Birth===
Vincent Robert Capodanno Jr. was born on February 13, 1929, in [[Staten Island]], [[New York (state)|New York]], to Italian immigrant parents, Vincent Robert Capodanno Sr. and Rachel Basile Capodanno.<ref name="wikipedia" /> As the tenth and youngest child in a devout [[Roman Catholic]] family, he was raised in a close-knit household in the West New Brighton neighborhood, within the [[Parish]] of St. Peter’s.<ref name="mode" /> His parents instilled values of charity, perseverance, and faith, nurtured through regular attendance at [[Mass]] and community involvement in their local [[Parish]]. The cultural and religious environment of [[Staten Island]]’s Italian-American community shaped his early spiritual development.<ref name="capodannoguild" />

The early loss of his father at age 10 was a pivotal moment for young Vincent, deepening his awareness of life’s fragility and the importance of faith.<ref name="mode" /> This event, coupled with the influence of prominent Catholic figures like [[Archbishop]] [[Fulton J. Sheen]], fostered a sense of spiritual purpose.<ref name="capodannoguild" /> Growing up during [[World War II]], Capodanno was exposed to themes of sacrifice and patriotism, which resonated with his burgeoning sense of duty to serve both God and others. His childhood home, located in a vibrant [[Diocese of Brooklyn|Diocese]], became the foundation for his lifelong commitment to [[Christianity|Christian]] service.<ref name="mode" />

===Early Life===
Vincent Capodanno’s early life was marked by a strong [[Catholic]] upbringing in [[Staten Island]], where he attended St. Peter’s Boys High School before graduating from Curtis High School on February 4, 1947.<ref name="wikipedia" /> His family’s deep faith and the community’s emphasis on [[Roman Rite|Roman Catholic]] traditions influenced his decision to pursue a religious vocation. While working as an insurance clerk, he took night classes at [[Fordham University]], a [[Jesuit]] institution in [[New York City]], further enriching his intellectual and spiritual formation.<ref name="wikipedia" /> During a spiritual retreat in 1949, Capodanno confided to a friend his desire to become a [[priest]], a calling that led him to the [[Maryknoll Missionary Seminary]] in [[Ossining, New York|Ossining]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref name="mode" />

At [[Maryknoll Missionary Seminary|Maryknoll]], Capodanno underwent rigorous training, including studies in [[Illinois]] and [[Massachusetts]], preparing him for the challenges of missionary work.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The [[Maryknoll Missioners|Maryknoll]] emphasis on self-sufficiency and service in austere environments resonated with his disciplined character. His time at the [[Seminary]] was formative, blending academic rigor with spiritual growth, as he studied theology and embraced the [[Maryknoll Missioners|Maryknoll]] mission to “Go and Teach All Nations.”<ref name="capodannoguild" /> His early exposure to global conflicts and the teachings of figures like [[Fulton J. Sheen]] reinforced his commitment to a life of self-denial and service, setting the stage for his later missionary and military endeavors.<ref name="mode" />

===Occupation===
Before entering the [[priesthood]], Vincent Capodanno worked briefly as an insurance clerk in [[New York City]] while attending night classes at [[Fordham University]].<ref name="wikipedia" /> This secular role provided practical experience and a glimpse into urban life’s challenges. His work as a clerk was not his true calling, but it allowed him to support himself while discerning his vocation. His time at [[Fordham University|Fordham]], a prestigious [[Jesuit]] institution, exposed him to a broader intellectual tradition, complementing his spiritual aspirations.<ref name="wikipedia" />

After entering the [[Maryknoll Missionary Seminary|Maryknoll Seminary]] in 1949, Capodanno’s “occupation” shifted to preparation for the [[priesthood]]. Ordained on June 14, 1958, by [[Francis Cardinal Spellman]], [[Archbishop]] of [[New York City|New York]], he embraced the life of a missionary [[priest]].<ref name="wikipedia" /> His assignments in [[Taiwan]] and [[Hong Kong]] involved teaching, pastoral care, and evangelization among indigenous and local communities.<ref name="capodannoguild" /> In 1965, he joined the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] Chaplain Corps, ministering to Marines in [[Vietnam]], earning the nickname “Grunt Padre” for his dedication to enlisted men.<ref name="mode" /> His work combined spiritual guidance with practical support, such as distributing St. Christopher medals and hearing confessions in the field.<ref name="milarch2016">{{Cite web |title=Production Underway on Documentary Film about Vietnam War Hero Father Vincent R. Capodanno |url=https://www.milarch.org/production-underway-on-documentary-film-about-vietnam-war-hero-father-vincent-r-capodanno-m-m-servant-of-god/ |publisher=Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA |date=2016-06-23 |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref>

===Vocation===
Vincent Capodanno’s vocation as a [[priest]] and [[Maryknoll Missioners|Maryknoll Missioner]] was rooted in a desire to serve God and others through missionary work. After his ordination in 1958, he was sent to [[Taiwan]], where he ministered to indigenous mountain communities, learning their language and customs to spread the [[Gospel]].<ref name="capodannoguild" /> His time in [[Hong Kong]], working in a school, further honed his ability to connect with diverse populations. Capodanno’s missionary zeal was inspired by the [[Maryknoll Missioners|Maryknoll]] ethos and the book ''Radiating Christ'' by Raoul Plus, which guided his ministry.<ref name="mode" />

In 1965, Capodanno felt called to serve as a [[chaplain]] in the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]], driven by a desire to support soldiers in the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="milarch2016" /> Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, he provided spiritual and emotional support under grueling combat conditions. His ministry included administering [[sacraments]], counseling soldiers, and offering comfort in the face of death, often at great personal risk.<ref name="cmohs" /> His commitment culminated in his ultimate sacrifice, embodying the [[Christianity|Christian]] ideal of laying down one’s life for others.<ref name="capodannoguild" />

===Death===
Vincent Capodanno met his end through martyrdom on September 4, 1967, during a fierce battle in [[Quế Sơn Valley]], [[Vietnam]], as part of Operation Swift.<ref name="cmohs" /> Serving as a [[chaplain]] with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, he ministered to wounded and dying Marines under heavy enemy fire. Despite sustaining severe wounds to his arms, legs, and hand from a mortar explosion, he refused medical aid, choosing to continue aiding his men.<ref name="cmohs" /> While rushing to assist a wounded corpsman pinned down by an enemy machine gunner, Capodanno was struck by a burst of gunfire, suffering 27 bullet wounds, and died on the battlefield.<ref name="cmohs" />

His selfless actions, including administering [[Last Rites]] and dragging wounded soldiers to safety, earned him the posthumous [[Medal of Honor]] on January 7, 1969, as well as the [[Bronze Star]], [[Purple Heart]], and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.<ref name="cmohs" /> Capodanno’s death was a profound loss to the Marines, who revered him as the “Grunt Padre.” His body was laid to rest in Saint Peters Cemetery in [[West New Brighton]], [[Staten Island]], [[New York (state)|New York]], where his grave remains a site of veneration.<ref name="wikipedia" />

==Significant events==
* Ordained a [[priest]] by [[Francis Cardinal Spellman]], [[Archbishop]] of [[New York City|New York]], on June 14, 1958.<ref name="wikipedia" />
* Served as a missionary in [[Taiwan]] and [[Hong Kong]] from 1958 to 1965.<ref name="capodannoguild" />
* Joined the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] Chaplain Corps in 1965, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in [[Vietnam]].<ref name="milarch2016" />
* Awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] posthumously on January 7, 1969, for heroic actions during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="cmohs" />
* Declared a [[Saints|Servant of God]] by the [[Catholic Church]] on May 21, 2006, initiating his cause for [[canonization]].<ref name="milarch2006" />
* Subject of the documentary ''Called and Chosen: Father Vincent R. Capodanno'', aired on [[EWTN]] in 2017, which won the 2018 Gabriel Award.<ref name="wikipedia" />
==Significant locations==
{{SaintMapSimple}}

==Parishes==

{{Saint parish map|Where=Vincent R. Capodanno|zoom=7|Saint=Vincent R. Capodanno}}

==Canonization==

===Servant of God===
The process to recognize Vincent R. Capodanno as a [[Saints|Servant of God]] began on May 19, 2002, with the initial investigation conducted in the [[Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA]].<ref name="wikipedia" /> CatholicMil (later renamed Mission Capodanno) acted as the petitioner, with Daniel Mode, Capodanno’s biographer, named as postulator.<ref name="wikipedia" /> On May 21, 2006, [[Archbishop]] Edwin F. O’Brien announced Capodanno’s designation as a [[Saints|Servant of God]] during a Memorial Day weekend ceremony in [[Washington, D.C.]].<ref name="milarch2006" /> The investigation included a review of his life, writings, and testimonies from those who knew him, focusing on his heroic virtue and service.<ref name="capodannoguild2017">{{Cite web |title=Progress on Cause for Canonization |url=https://www.capodannoguild.org/progress-on-cause-for-canonization/ |publisher=Father Vincent Capodanno Guild |date=2017-05-23 |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Archbishop]] Timothy P. Broglio, O’Brien’s successor, renewed the cause, appointing the Father Vincent Capodanno Guild as the petitioner and Andrea Ambrosi as Roman postulator.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The archdiocesan phase concluded on May 21, 2017, when Broglio sealed the inquiry’s findings for submission to the [[Vatican]]’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.<ref name="capodannoguild2017" /> The process involved a tribunal, led by Msgr. Thomas Olszyk, which interviewed witnesses and examined Capodanno’s writings.<ref name="capodannoguild2017" />

===Venerable===
As of 2025, Vincent Capodanno has not been declared [[Venerable]] by the [[Catholic Church]]. In 2022, a [[Vatican]] advisory panel recommended suspending his cause, citing concerns that his heroism was more battlefield-related than religious and that the [[Maryknoll Missioners|Maryknoll]] order was less involved than the [[Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA]].<ref name="wikipedia" /> The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild and postulator Nicola Gori are addressing these objections, with [[Archbishop]] Broglio appointing a historical commission to document Capodanno’s pre-military spirituality.<ref name="wikipedia" />

===Beatification===
Vincent Capodanno has not been [[beatified]], and no date has been set. A reported miracle involving the healing of a Florida woman with multiple sclerosis, credited by [[Bishop]] Gerald Barbarito of the [[Diocese of Palm Beach]] in 2019, is under consideration for [[beatification]].<ref name="wikipedia" /> The [[Vatican]] continues to evaluate this miracle and Capodanno’s life to determine if he meets the criteria for being declared [[Blessed]].

===Canonization===
Vincent Capodanno has not been [[canonized]], and no second miracle has been verified. The [[Catholic Church]] requires a second authenticated miracle after [[beatification]] for [[canonization]]. The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild encourages reports of favors or miracles attributed to Capodanno’s intercession to support the process.<ref name="capodannoguild" />

==Miracles==

===Miracle for beatification===
In 2019, [[Bishop]] Gerald Barbarito of the [[Diocese of Palm Beach]] credited Vincent Capodanno with the miraculous healing of a Florida woman with multiple sclerosis.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The woman, whose condition was deemed medically incurable, experienced a sudden recovery after prayers were offered to Capodanno.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The case underwent a year-long investigation by the [[Diocese]], including medical evaluations and testimonies to rule out natural explanations. The findings were submitted to the [[Vatican]]’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.<ref name="wikipedia" />

This reported miracle is a significant milestone in Capodanno’s cause, as [[beatification]] requires one authenticated miracle.<ref name="capodannoguild" /> The [[Vatican]] is reviewing the case to determine if it meets the criteria for a supernatural event. The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild continues to collect testimonies of favors to strengthen the cause.<ref name="capodannoguild" />

===Miracle for canonization===
No second miracle has been verified for Vincent Capodanno’s [[canonization]]. A second miracle, required after [[beatification]], must be authenticated by the [[Vatican]].<ref name="capodannoguild" /> The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild solicits reports of healings attributed to Capodanno’s intercession, which could qualify as the second miracle.<ref name="capodannoguild" />

The absence of a verified second miracle reflects the ongoing nature of Capodanno’s cause. Supporters point to anecdotal reports, such as a Vietnamese nun’s recovery from advanced cancer, as potential candidates for investigation.<ref name="milarch2016" /> The [[Vatican]]’s rigorous process ensures any miracle will be thoroughly vetted.<ref name="capodannoguild" />

===Other notable miracles===
* A Vietnamese nun reportedly recovered from advanced cancer without medical explanation, attributed to Capodanno’s intercession, though this case remains under investigation by the [[Vatican]].<ref name="milarch2016" />
* Corporal Ray Harton, wounded in [[Vietnam]], described a moment of profound peace when Capodanno comforted him during battle, an experience he considered miraculous, though not officially recognized.<ref name="milarch2013">{{Cite web |title=Archbishop Broglio Invokes Spirit of Vietnam War Hero Father Vincent R. Capodanno |url=https://www.milarch.org/archbishop-broglio-invokes-spirit-of-vietnam-war-hero-father-vincent-r-capodanno/ |publisher=Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA |date=2015-09-04 |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref>

==Patronage==
Vincent R. Capodanno is considered a patron of military [[chaplains]], Marines, and [[Vietnam War]] veterans, reflecting his dedicated service to soldiers in combat.<ref name="capodannoguild" />

==Feast day==
As of 2025, Vincent R. Capodanno has not been assigned an official feast day, as he has not been [[beatified]] or [[canonized]]. His life is commemorated annually on September 4 through a Memorial [[Mass]] celebrated by the [[Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA]] at the [[Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception]] in [[Washington, D.C.]].<ref name="milarch2024">{{Cite web |title=Archbishop Broglio to Celebrate Annual Memorial Mass for Father Vincent R. Capodanno |url=https://www.milarch.org/archbishop-broglio-to-celebrate-annual-memorial-mass-for-father-vincent-r-capodanno-mm-servant-of-god/ |publisher=Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA |date=2024-09-03 |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref>

==Veneration==
Vincent R. Capodanno is venerated through annual Memorial [[Masses]], prayers, and novenas, particularly by the [[Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA]] and the Father Vincent Capodanno Guild.<ref name="milarch2024" /> His grave at Saint Peters Cemetery in [[West New Brighton]], [[Staten Island]], [[New York (state)|New York]], is a pilgrimage site for devotees, especially Marines and veterans.<ref name="wikipedia" /> Relics, such as personal items, are venerated, though no first-class relics are widely distributed due to his status as a [[Saints|Servant of God]].<ref name="capodannoguild" />

Capodanno is depicted in artworks, including an oil painting by Douglas Rosa at the Chaplain School in [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], [[Rhode Island]], and a bronze statue by Antonio Pierotti at Fort Wadsworth, [[Staten Island]].<ref name="wikipedia" /> A modern sculpture in [[Gaeta]], [[Italy]], also honors him.<ref name="milarch2006" /> The [[EWTN]] documentary ''Called and Chosen: Father Vincent R. Capodanno'' (2017) and the biography ''Armed with Faith: The Life of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM'' (2018) have popularized his story.<ref name="wikipedia" /> His veneration influences military and [[Catholic]] communities, with memorials like the Vincent R. Capodanno Memorial in [[Champion, Wisconsin|Champion]], [[Wisconsin]].<ref name="wikipedia" />

==Books==

===Written about the saint===
* [https://www.amazon.com/Grunt-Padre-Service-Sacrifice-Capodanno/dp/1890718033 ''The Grunt Padre: The Service and Sacrifice of Father Vincent Robert Capodanno'' by Father Daniel L. Mode]<ref name="mode" />
* [https://www.capodannoguild.org/armed-with-faith/ ''Armed with Faith: The Life of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM'' by the Father Vincent Capodanno Guild]<ref name="wikipedia" />

===Written by the saint===
* No known works were authored by Vincent R. Capodanno.

==External links==
* [https://www.capodannoguild.org/ Father Vincent Capodanno Guild]
* [https://www.milarch.org/father-capodanno-biography/ Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA: Father Vincent Capodanno Biography]
* [https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/vincent-r-capodanno Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Vincent R. Capodanno]
* [https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/8193/VINCENT-R-CAPODANNO/ Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund: Vincent R. Capodanno]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:American chaplains]]
[[Category:Chaplain]]