Dear Editor: Blessed Mother Teresa was canonized Sept. 4 for her life of service to God’s poor.

On this same date in 1967, at age of 38, Father Vincent Capodanno, a Maryknoll missionary serving as a chaplain in Vietnam, gave up his life for one of his Marine charges.

During his 16 months of service, Father Vince encouraged and inspired. He was ever present, traveling alongside on dangerous missions, counseling, hearing confessions, and saying Mass. He would comfort the dying and then write letters of condolence to the family.

Sadly, on the morning of Sept. 4, as Father Capodanno was on the battlefield tending to the wounded and administering the Last rites, he was struck down by 27 bullets as he attempted to protect a wounded corpsman.

Father Capodanno was awarded several medals posthumously including the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor. There are memorials dedicated to him. The Father Capodanno Boulevard in Staten Island is especially poignant because he travelled this road.

In 2006, Father Capodanno was publicly declared a servant of God, the first step towards canonization. Wouldn’t it be fitting, if on Sept. 4, 2017, 50 years after his passing, Father Capodanno would be declared “Blessed”? Prayers can move mountains and Rome!

CATHERINE DIETZ

Bay Ridge