Saint Damien of Molokai
Feast Day: May 10

Click for a special message from Blessed Damien of Molokai

St. Damien of Molokai was born Joseph de Veuster in Tremelo, Belgium in 1840. When he was only 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, who was a priest. When Pamphile was assigned to the Hawaiian Islands, he became ill and was unable to go. Damien immediately volunteered to go in his brother’s place. Damien was ordained in 1864 after he completed his studies in Honolulu.

The Hawaiian government had a leper colony on the island of Molokai. As part of Damien’s duties, he spent three months each year at the colony. He served the sick people who lived there.

Fr. Damien felt such compassion for the lepers that he asked permission to remain with the colony permanently. He cared for the people’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Damien also appealed to the Hawaiian government for money and services to help the lepers of Molokai. Soon, a school, homes, an orphanage, and a church greatly improved the colony because of Fr. Damien’s efforts. Most importantly, he helped his people know that God loved and cared for them.

Eventually, Damien caught leprosy and died from the disease. He had become so famous for his compassionate work among the lepers that a statue of Fr. Damien represents the state of Hawaii in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.

Damien of Molokai was declared a saint in October, 2009. We honor St. Damien for bringing the Good News to people who had been abandoned and treated badly by society. Like St. Damien, we can be a sign of hope and encouragement to anyone who feels lonely or forgotten in our neighborhood or school.