WIND RIVER RANGE, WY – In western Wyoming, they call it “the Winds”—the Wind River Range, a spectacular sierra in the Rockies along the Continental Divide, covering nearly three thousand square miles and boasting the state’s highest point, Gannett Peak, which stands at 13,804 feet. In this rugged beauty, 14 young men, all prospective Catholic U.S. Military chaplains, gathered over the past week to discern if they are called to the priesthood and military chaplaincy in a first-of-its-kind Wilderness Discernment Retreat.
The weeklong Grunt Padre Expedition is named in honor of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, Servant of God, a U.S. Navy Chaplain known as “the grunt padre,” killed in Vietnam as he ministered to embattled Marines. The inaugural gathering, held Aug. 12-20, was sponsored by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), and the Koch Foundation. It was led by the Saint Sebastian Institute in partnership with Wyoming Catholic College. Surrounded by the natural scenery of high peaks, deep valleys, and alpine lakes, the men prayed together, shared thoughts about their possible vocations, participated in the celebration of Holy Mass, and explored the craggy terrain.
The Grunt Padre Expedition is specifically for men who have previously attended one of the biannual AMS Discernment Retreats, held every spring and autumn, but are currently unable to leave the military to enter seminary. The new wilderness retreat is one way the AMS hopes to stay in touch with prospective chaplains and guide their discernment while also providing fraternity, fellowship, and counsel.
Young men interested in discerning a priestly vocation, and the vocation within a vocation to serve those who serve in the U.S. Military, can find more information at www.milarch.org/vocations, or may contact AMS Director of Vocations Father Paul-Anthony Halladay at vocations@milarch.org or (202) 719-3600.