Father Kapaun painting unveiled

A 12-foot by 4 ½-foot mural of Father Emil Kapaun was unveiled Aug. 5 in St. John’s Chapel at a special ceremony that included remarks on the creation of and symbolism in the work by artist Wendy Lewis. The ceremony also included a blessing of the painting by the Most Rev. Michael O. Jackels, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, who celebrated a Mass before the unveiling. The painting hangs opposite a mural of St. Maria De Mattias also painted by Lewis and installed in the chapel in 2005. Fr. Kapaun, who was ordained in St. John’s Chapel on June 9, 1940, served as an Army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War, and died in 1951 as a prisoner in North Korea. He is being considered for canonization as a martyr.

Highlights of the unveiling ceremony: