by Sharon Harrison
Pilsen is a small town in Kansas, with only about 65 people that live there. It is the town that Father Emil Kapaun lived in and went to church in when he was a boy. The church is called St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. It is a very pretty church that is very peaceful. I went on a church pilgrimage to Pilsen a few years ago. If you've never been, you should definitely make the trip to Pilsen!
Emil Kapaun was born in a farmhouse near Pilsen, Kansas on April 20, 1916. He was baptized into the Catholic faith at the newly built St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. Thirty-five years later, he would be known as a hero by those who served with him in the Korean War. Even though he served as a chaplain, he was forced into the same prisoner of war camp as his fellow soldiers. He spent seven months in the camp, suffered malnutrition and pneumonia, before dying in the camp where he had been a source of light in such a dark place. Read more about his story here: https://frkapaun.org/
There is a museum on the church grounds where you can see many items that had belonged to Father Kapaun. Here are a few pictures from the museum.
The grounds are very peaceful. You may sit in quiet contemplation and prayer just outside the church.
Near the church is this house that had been the boyhood home of Father Kapaun. It is not open for tours.
The cemetery is near the church and you can see the tombstones honoring the fallen priest, however, his remains were moved from Hawaii to the cathedral in Wichita in 2021, after a forensics team were finally able to identify his body.
Read more about the story of Father Emil Kapaun at this website: https://frkapaun.org/.
"Faith Overcame Fear" is a powerful remembrance of all the Father Emil Kapaun stood for in his life and in his service to others. His story is very powerful and he is so worth remembering.
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