Early on a Thursday morning in June, nearly 400 people from around the country gathered at the Church of the Magdalen in far northeast Wichita. It’s the annual Father Kapaun Pilgrimage, a 60-mile trek over four days, from Wichita to Kapaun’s hometown of Pilsen, a tiny community in Marion County. “Today’s our big day,” JP Brunke, who organized this year’s pilgrimage, told those gathered as they prepared to leave. “We’re gonna walk the 22 and a half miles, so we need to get on the road as quickly as we can.” The walkers made last-minute checks for sunscreen and water bottles. They then got started. “Father Kapaun,” someone shouted. “Pray for us.” the crowd responded. If you’re Catholic, chances are you know the story of Father Emil Kapaun. But if not, the best place to hear it is the Father Kapaun Museum in Pilsen. “The story of Father Kapaun is so beautiful,” said Harriet Bina, one of the directors of the museum. Any tour of the museum starts with that beautiful story: a priest who
Source: KMUW
