Priest from Miami shares love of the Eucharist with believers on the island

Above: Father Rafael Capo (center) stood with Eucharistic Congress participants at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku on June 8 after the day’s main events concluded. Lunch and socializing followed. Above: Father Capo spoke at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea on June 6. (Photos courtesy of 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 inviting a priest who is passionate about fitness, health and conversations with youth.

Father Rafael Capo of the Archdiocese of Miami visited Oahu and Maui as part of events related to Hawaii’s own version of the National Eucharistic Congress, which will be held next month in Indianapolis.

Father Capo, appointed Eucharistic Minister by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, shared his love of the Eucharist on June 8 as the keynote speaker at the Hawaii Eucharistic Congress held at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku.

The congress was live streamed on Oahu at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu and on the island of Hawaii at the Annunciation Church in Kamuela. There were subsequent working groups and meetings on each island.

Father Capo, vice president for mission and pastoral care and dean of theology at St. Thomas University in Miami, was also appointed a Papal Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis.

Before leaving for Maui, Father Capo spoke to youth and young adults at an event titled “The Eucharist and Young People” at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea on June 6. At the conclusion of his talk, he led the group in Eucharistic adoration, followed by praise and worship.

It was Father Capo’s first visit to Hawaii, and he said he was particularly looking forward to visiting because it reminded him of his homeland of Puerto Rico.

“I myself am an islander from Puerto Rico. There are many similarities and differences, like culture and stuff. But the islands are so similar,” Father Capo told the crowd.

He told them about his time as a Swiss Guard in the Vatican and about the five virtues that the members of the corps maintain throughout their service to the Pope.

In addition to wearing puffed sleeves, a helmet with feathers and a uniform in bright colors, Father Capo also emphasized how honorable it is to be a member of the Swiss Guard.

“Through their service to the Church, through their service to the Holy Father, they have experienced a transformation in their lives,” said Father Capo. “Because the life of the Swiss Guard revolves around the Eucharist in a way that some people cannot even imagine.”

In the Swiss Guard, young men receive military training to protect the Pope and his residence. This service, says Father Capo, touches the hearts of the men, especially because they attend Mass every day.

“They come so close to Jesus and the Eucharist that their faith is revived. They experience this faith so close to Jesus that something happens in their hearts,” said Father Capo.

He then explained the five virtues of the Swiss Guard.

The first virtue is courage: “The presence of the Lord is so close to a witness like Peter that it gives one the strength to walk on water in difficult moments,” said Father Capo.

The second virtue is strength.

“It is part of the body, the mind and the soul. It is the strength to persevere, the strength to submit to the will of God, the strength to endure trials in trust in God’s praise,” said Father Capo.

The third virtue is asceticism, the “spiritual discipline that brings about transformation,” he said. “It is not about complacency, but about 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 and live a missionary life,” he said.

The last virtue is perseverance.

“It’s so easy to make an effort one night and study hard. It’s so easy to try to be extraordinary once. But to persevere and persevere day after day takes a special grace,” Father Capo said.

He also told stories of several saints who embodied each virtue and encouraged the youth to do the same.