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Bl. Damien of Molokai
Feast Day: May 10
Blessed 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. Thus, Damien was ordained a priest in Honolulu in 1864.
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.
Eventually, Damien offered to remain with the colony permanently. He cared for the people’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Damien pressed the government for support. 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.
