Sacred Art in the Service of God: How a Portrait of Father Emil Kapaun Is Stirring Vocations for the Military
Father Marcel Taillon, vocations director at the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is settling into his new territory in our nation’s capital. Although many miss him in the halls of St. Thomas More and St. Veronica’s Catholic Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island, he brought something special with him to his new post: a beautiful portrait of Servant of God Father Emil Kapaun.
The portrait hangs in his office, and Father T (as most who know him affectionately call him) tapped the one and only Sharon Clossick to paint the priest known as the patron for military vocations. And Father Taillon put a great deal of thought into what specific scene might be best to grace his wall, telling the Register:
“I researched all the photos of him and felt drawn to the image she painted, as I think it showed his inner joy that grounded him during the stressful and difficult times. She captured the depth of his fatherhood for his men. She placed mountains behind him so it would represent Korea.” Father Kapaun, a Kansas natve, died as a POW in Pyoktong, North Korea, in 1951. He was 35 years old. He now rests in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, as his earthly remains were transferred there in 2021.
Father Taillon says he is drawn to Father Kapaun and continues to learn from him in his new role as military vocations director.
“Father Emil is an inspiration to military chaplains and certainly to the vocations ministry. I wanted to dedicate the vocation ministry to a patron,” Father Taillon said, adding, “I feel akin to Father Emil in his incredible priestly ministry and sustained sacrifice.”
This is not the first painting Clossick has painted for the priest, he explained.
“Sharon Clossick’s art is found throughout the parish of St. Thomas More in Narragansett, in the shrine, classrooms dedicated to saints, and the cry room at St. Veronica Chapel. She is part of the renaissance of the art and Church intersecting to help teach all about Our Lord.”
