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Feast Day: May 10
Blessed Damien of Molokai was born Joseph de Veuster. He was born in Tremelo, Belgium in 1840. When he was thirteen, he had to quit school to work on the family farm. At age 19, he joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. As a member of this religious community, he took the name Damien. He chose this name after a fourth-century physician and martyr.
Damien had an older brother, Pamphile. Panphile was a priest. One day Pamphile was assigned to the Hawaiian Islands. But, he became ill and was unable to go. So, Damien went to Hawaii in his brother’s place. Damien was ordained a priest in Honolulu in 1864.
The Hawaiian government had a leper colony on the island of Molokai. Damien spent three months each year at the colony. He served the sick people who lived there. Eventually, Damien stayed at the colony permanently. He cared for the people who were sick. And he brought God’s love to them. Damien asked the government for help. Soon, a school, homes, an orphanage, and a church greatly improved the colony.
Eventually, Damien caught leprosy and died from the disease. Pope John Paul II beatified Damien on June 4, 1995. A statue of Damien represents the state of Hawaii in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 3, chapter 24
