| Novena Starts: | August 26 |
| Feastday: | September 4 |
| Birth: | 1929 |
| Death: | 1967 |
Patron saint of Marines, Navy
Novena for the Canonization of Father Vincent Capodanno
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Day 1
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day One – Faith
Catechism (CCC 1816): “The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it.”
Scripture (2 Corinthians 5:7): “We walk by faith, not by sight.”
Father Capodanno (from a letter to a newly widowed friend): “To remain faithful, patient and hopeful in times of great suffering is truly the test of our love of God and trust in Him as our Father.”
Testimony — Rev. William Richter, MM, fellow seminarian and close friend: “He is an unforgettable example to me of someone who followed the call to serve, wherever it might eventually lead him, a call that refused to go away.”
Reflection: Father Capodanno’s faith was not theoretical; it was lived publicly, professed under fire, and whispered into the ears of dying Marines. He lived his faith and always put his trust in God.
Prayer Intention: Lord, strengthen our faith that we may profess Christ boldly even amid fear.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 2
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day Two – Hope
Catechism (CCC 1818): “The virtue of hope … keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment.”
Scripture (Romans 5:5): “Hope does not disappoint.”
Father Capodanno (sermon during Mass in Vietnam): “Any little bit of joy or happiness that we have here is but a taste of the eternal happiness we’re going to have in heaven.”
Testimony — Chaplain Stanley Beach, who served with Father Capodanno in Vietnam: “We spent Easter Sunday morning ministering to those men. It made a deep impression on both of us, and those moments of looking into the eyes of Marines who were experienced with death gave us a greater appreciation of the hope of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ … He had tears in his eyes when he shared that experience.”
Reflection: Hope is not the denial of suffering — it is the certainty that Jesus is Lord even in the trials.
Prayer Intention: Lord, when discouragement threatens us, anchor us in the hope of the Resurrection.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 3
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day Three – Charity (Love)
Catechism (CCC 1822): “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.”
Scripture (John 15:13): “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Father Capodanno (letter to his brother weeks before his brother’s wedding): “Love is the most precious thing we shall ever know in this life or in the next … Love makes the sacrifice possible, and the sacrifice makes the love enduring.”
Testimony — Thomas Panian, who served with Father Capodanno in Vietnam: “There was never a sin so great … that it could not be shared freely and fully with Father Capodanno. I have never met his equal in human empathy.”
Reflection: Charity is sacrificial love. He gave his rosary, his raincoat, his time, his rations, his gas mask — finally his life.
Prayer Intention: Lord, teach us to love in deed and in truth.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 4
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day Four – Prudence
Catechism (CCC 1806): “Prudence is ‘right reason in action’ … It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with his judgment.”
Scripture (Wisdom 7:7): “Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.”
Father Capodanno (regimental speech): “Each of us has been given talents … Are we using these to the best of our ability?”
Testimony — Ed Fitzgerald, who served with Father Capodanno in Vietnam and recommended him for the Bronze Star: “He instilled proper attitudes in the minds of the men toward the Vietnamese, and toward each other … More than one young NCO patterned himself upon the examples of leadership and bravery set by Chaplain Capodanno.”
Reflection: Prudence is not caution; it is right judgment ordered to the good of others.
Prayer Intention: Lord, guide our decisions that we may act justly and wisely.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 5
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day Five – Justice
Catechism (CCC 1807): “The just man … is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor.”
Scripture (Proverbs 21:3): “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
Father Capodanno (from his application to Maryknoll about his future work as a foreign missionary): “It will mean hard physical labor with and for a group of people I may never have heard of before. Their lives, both troubles and joys, will be my life.”
Testimony — Raymond Leidich, who served with Father Capodanno in Vietnam: “He treated the villagers with compassion and comforted them at every opportunity.”
Reflection: Justice gives each his due. Father Capodanno gave spiritual care to all.
Prayer Intention: Lord, make us just in all our dealings, that we may honor the dignity of every person.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 6
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day Six – Fortitude
Catechism (CCC 1808): “The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death … It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.”
Scripture (Psalm 118:14): “The Lord, my strength and might, has become my savior.”
Father Capodanno (from his application to Maryknoll about his future work as a foreign missionary): “Any personal sacrifices I may have to make will be compensated for by the fact that I am serving God.”
Testimony — Henry Hernandez, who served with Father Capodanno in Vietnam: “He was kneeling beside Capt. Walker, exposed to enemy fire, whispering in his ear, as he did to all Marines that were wounded. He would say some words of comfort, that medical help was coming, and a prayer.”
Reflection: Fortitude is love stronger than fear.
Prayer Intention: Lord, grant us courage to stand firm in times of difficulty and hardship.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 7
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day Seven – Temperance
Catechism (CCC 1809): “The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good …“
Scripture (2 Peter 1:5-6): “… make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion …“
Father Capodanno (sermon during Mass in Vietnam): “God has given us life that we should live it fully, live it completely, live it happily.”
Testimony — Joe Trischetti, who served Father Capodanno’s final Mass in Vietnam: “… he spoke of trying to grasp some pleasure in life … his sermon made good sense.”
Reflection: Temperance orders desire toward eternal joy rather than fleeting comfort.
Prayer Intention: Lord, help us to seek the joy that comes from serving You.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 8
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day Eight – Humility
Catechism (CCC 2546): “The Word speaks of voluntary humility as ‘poverty in spirit’; the Apostle gives an example of God’s poverty when he says: ‘For your sakes he became poor.’“
Scripture (Matthew 23:12): “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Father Capodanno (from a letter to a priest at the Military Ordinariate): “Chaplains’ work has only one disappointing aspect: the days are too short, and time moves too quickly for the men to do all there is to be done, and all that we’d like to do.”
Testimonies — Gerald Turley, who served with Father Capodanno in Vietnam: “He attracted people. And yet in that group, he would be the humblest guy there.” Basile Lubka, who served with Father Capodanno in Vietnam: “He never spared himself … He exhibited those rare qualities of humanity, selflessness, and humility that are seldom achieved, even by chaplains …“
Reflection: Humility does not seek recognition; it seeks to serve.
Prayer Intention: Lord, deliver us from pride and make us servants of all.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 9
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, faithful priest and missionary, beloved chaplain of the United States Marines, you walked among warriors as a shepherd, bringing them the peace and consolation of Christ even unto your own death.
As I begin this novena, I ask your intercession before the throne of God. Help me to follow your example of faith, hope, and charity, and to grow each day in the virtues that shaped your life.
I place before the Lord the intention I now hold in my heart:
(mention request here…)
Through your witness, Father Capodanno, may my prayer be united to Christ the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep.
Amen.
Day Nine – Selfless Sacrifice, the Heart of a True Shepherd
Catechism (CCC 2100): “The only perfect sacrifice is the one that Christ offered on the cross as a total offering to the Father’s love and for our salvation. By uniting ourselves with his sacrifice we can make our lives a sacrifice to God.”
Scripture (John 10:11): “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Father Capodanno (from his application to Maryknoll about his future work as a foreign missionary): “I’ll be separated from my family and friends and all things I’m now accustomed to for indefinite lengths of time, during which all my efforts will be devoted to the people I’m serving.”
Testimony — Joseph Pilan, MD, a doctor who served with Father Capodanno in Vietnam: “Father Capodanno tried to get between harm and us. The good shepherd he was.”
Reflection: The culmination of virtue is a total, selfless gift. Father Capodanno lived as a priest unto the end.
Prayer Intention: Lord, teach us to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to us.
Eternal Father, strong to save, through the intercession of Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, grant us a faith that walks by trust and not by sight.
Anchor us in hope that does not disappoint.
Inflame our hearts with charity that gives without counting the cost.
Give us prudence to choose the good, justice to honor the dignity of every person, and fortitude to stand firm when fear presses in.
Teach us temperance, that we may seek eternal joy over passing comfort.
Clothe us in humility, that we may serve without seeking recognition.
And form within us the heart of a shepherd, ready to lay down our lives in daily sacrifice for those entrusted to our care.
Through Father Capodanno’s witness, form in us the virtues that shaped his life.
Lord, if it be Your will, continue to advance Father Capodanno’s Cause within Your Church, that his witness may strengthen and inspire all.
For You called Your Servant, Father Vincent Capodanno, to be a shepherd amid danger to bring peace, a priest and missionary among warriors to care for them spiritually and sacramentally, and a witness to Christ’s love unto death.
I ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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