Above, Father Rafael Capo, center, stood with Eucharistic Congress participants June 8 in St. Anthony Church in Wailuku after the day’s main events concluded. Lunch and fellowship followed. At top, Father Capo spoke June 6 at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea. (Photos: courtesy Glenn and Maddie Pascual, St. Anthony Church / Jennifer Rector, Hawaii Catholic Herald)
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Diocese of Honolulu continued its participation in the National Eucharistic Revival by hosting a priest passionate about fitness, health and speaking to youth.
Father Rafael Capo of the Archdiocese of Miami visited Oahu and Maui for events related to Hawaii’s own version of the National Eucharistic Congress, which takes place next month in Indianapolis.
Father Capo, who’s been appointed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to serve as a Eucharistic preacher, shared his love for the Eucharist June 8 as the keynote speaker of Hawaii’s Eucharistic Congress, which was centered at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku.
The congress was livestreamed on Oahu at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu and on Hawaii island at Annunciation Church in Kamuela. It was followed by breakout sessions and fellowship on each island.
Father Capo, who is vice president of mission and ministry and dean of theology at St. Thomas University in Miami, also has been named a papal missionary of mercy by Pope Francis.
Before heading to Maui, Father Capo spoke to youth and young adults at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea June 6 at an event called “The Eucharist and Young People.” At the conclusion of his talk he led the group in Eucharistic adoration, which was then followed by praise and worship.
This was Father Capo’s first time in Hawaii. He said he had longed to visit especially because it reminded him of his home, Puerto Rico.
“I myself am an islander from Puerto Rico, there are many similarities than there are differences, like culture and stuff. But the islands are so similar,” Father Capo told the crowd.
He shared with them his time as a Vatican Swiss Guard, and the five virtues the corps members hold throughout their service to the pope.
Aside from wearing puffy sleeves, a feathered helmet and the vibrantly colored uniform, Father Capo emphasized the honor it was to be a member of the Swiss Guard.
“Because of their service to the church, because of their service to the Holy Father, they experienced a transformation in their lives,” Father Capo said. “Because life for the Swiss Guard in ways that some people don’t even imagine is centered and is a journey that goes around the Eucharist.”
Once in the Swiss Guard, young men are military trained to protect the pope and his residence. It’s a service that Father Capo said has an impact on the hearts of the men, especially since they go to Mass every day.
“They start getting so close to Jesus and the Eucharist that they experience a revival of their faith. They live this experience of faith so close to Jesus that something starts happening in their hearts,” Father Capo said.
He then shared the five virtues of the Swiss Guard.
The first virtue is courage: “The presence of the Lord is so close to that witness, like Peter, it gives you the strength to walk on water through difficult moments,” Father Capo said.
The second virtue is strength.
“It’s part of the body, mind and spirit. It’s the strength to endure, the strength to surrender to God’s will, the strength to endure trials relying on God’s praise,” said Father Capo.
The third virtue is asceticism, the “spiritual discipline that creates the transformation,” he said. “It’s not self-indulging but it’s self-emptying our lives for Christ.”
The fourth virtue is generosity.
“Receiving holy Communion and being close to Christ in adoration will lead you to go out and serve others to live a life that is missionary,” he said.
The final virtue is perseverance.
“It’s so easy to make an effort to study hard one night. It’s so easy to try to be extraordinary once. But to endure and persevere day by day requires a special grace,” Father Capo said.
He also shared stories of several saints who exemplified each virtue and encouraged the youth to do the same.
