Blessed Damien of Molokai
Father Damien was a Roman Catholic missionary who helped lepers on the Hawaiian island of Molokaʻi and also died of the disease.
The Leper Priest
Born	3 January 1840, Tremelo, Belgium
Died	15 April 1889, Kalaupapa, Molokai, Hawaii
Venerated in	Catholic Church, Anglican Church
Beatified	1995, Rome by John Paul II
Major shrine	Leuven, Belgium (bodily relics); Maui, Hawaii (relics of his hand)
Feast	May 10 (universal); April 15 (in Hawaii)
Attributes	leprosy
Patronage	people with leprosy, outcasts, those with HIV/AIDS, the State of Hawaii.
Saints Portal

Father Damien, also Blessed Damien of Molokai and born Joseph de Veuster (January 3, 1840 – April 15, 1889), was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a missionary religious order. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Two Mormon missionaries A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. ... Hansens disease, commonly known as leprosy, is an infectious disease caused by infection by Mycobacterium leprae. ... Map of the Hawaiian Islands, a chain of islands that stretches 2,400 km in a northwesterly direction from the southern tip of the Island of Hawai‘i. ... MolokaÊ»i (also Molokai) is the fifth largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago. ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Not to be confused with the musical term Tremolo. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Kalaupapa, Hawaii is a town of Kalawao County on the island of Molokai in the state of Hawaii. ... MolokaÊ»i as viewed from KaÊ»anapali, Maui MolokaÊ»i (also Molokai) is the fifth largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago. ... 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A relic is an object, especially a piece of the body or a personal item of someone of religious significance, carefully preserved with an air of veneration as a tangible memorial, Relics are an important aspect of Buddhism, some denominations of Christianity, Hinduism, shamanism, and many other personal belief systems. ... For other uses, see Maui (disambiguation). ... Official language(s) English, Hawaiian Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  Ranked 43rd  - Total 10,931 sq mi (29,311 km²)  - Width n/a miles (n/a km)  - Length 1,522 miles (2,450 km)  - % water 41. ... The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organising a liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more saints, and referring to the day as that saints day. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Saint symbology was important to people who couldnt read because they can figure out what symbols mean. ... For the malady found in the Hebrew Bible, see the article Tzaraath. ... Saint Quentin is the patron saint of locksmiths and is also invoked against coughs and sneezes. ... For the malady found in the Hebrew Bible, see the article Tzaraath. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Official language(s) English, Hawaiian Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  Ranked 43rd  - Total 10,931 sq mi (29,311 km²)  - Width n/a miles (n/a km)  - Length 1,522 miles (2,450 km)  - % water 41. ... Image File history File links Gloriole. ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Father Pierre Coudrin, founder of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, from a window in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu. ... 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Damien is most noted for his extreme devotion to caring and ministering to people with what was then widely known as leprosy, forced by government-sanctioned medical segregation, living on the island of Molokai in the Kingdom of Hawaii^[1]. In the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions, as well as other denominations of Christianity, Damien is considered the spiritual patron for Hansen's Disease, HIV and AIDS patients as well as outcasts. As the patron saint of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and of Hawaii, Father Damien Day is celebrated statewide on April 15. Upon his beatification towards canonization and sainthood by Pope John Paul II in 1995, Damien was given a memorial feast day, celebrated on May 10 on the church calendar and was conferred the official title of Blessed Damien of Molokai. For the malady found in the Hebrew Bible, see the article Tzaraath. ... MolokaÊ»i as viewed from KaÊ»anapali, Maui MolokaÊ»i (also Molokai) is the fifth largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago. ... Motto Ua mau ke ea o ka āina i ka pono Anthem Hawaii Ponoi Kingdom of Hawaii Capital Lahaina (until 1845) Honolulu (from 1845) Language(s) Hawaiian, English Government Constitutional monarchy Monarch  - 1795–1819 Kamehameha I  - 1891–1893 Liliuokalani Provisional Government  - 1893-1894 Committee of Safety History  - Inception 1795  - Unification... Anglicanism commonly refers to the beliefs and practices of the Anglican Communion, the churches that are in full communion with the see of Canterbury. ... Christianity percentage by country, purple is highest, orange is lowest Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch... Father Damien was a Roman Catholic missionary who helped lepers on Hawaii and also died of the disease. ... Species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Human immunodeficiency virus 2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). ... Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ... Saint Quentin is the patron saint of locksmiths and is also invoked against coughs and sneezes. ... Episcopal crest of Bishop Clarence Silva The Catholic Diocese of Honolulu is an ecclesiastical territory or particular church of the Catholic Church in the United States. ... Official language(s) English, Hawaiian Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  Ranked 43rd  - Total 10,931 sq mi (29,311 km²)  - Width n/a miles (n/a km)  - Length 1,522 miles (2,450 km)  - % water 41. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Icon of St. ... Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   [] (May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland – April 2, 2005, Vatican City) reigned as... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Several memorials have been made to Damien worldwide. The Father Damien Statue honors the priest in bronze at the United States Capitol while a full size replica stands in front of the Hawaii State Capitol. In 2005, Damien was honored with the title of De Grootste Belg, chosen as The Greatest Belgian throughout Belgian history in polling conducted by the Flemish public broadcasting service, VRT.^[2] The Father Damien Statue stands in front of the Hawaii State Capitol, greeting all its visitors. ... The United States Capitol is the capitol building that serves as the location for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. ... The Hawai‘i State Capitol is the official statehouse or capitol building of Hawai‘i. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... De Grootste Belg (The Greatest Belgian) is a currently ongoing vote conducted by Belgian TV broadcast Canvas, to determine who is the Greatest Belgian of all time. ... VRT official logo The communications tower at the headquarters of VRT in Brussels. ...

In both ecumenical religious and non-sectarian communities, Damien is being adopted as the symbol of how society should treat HIV/AIDS patients in defiance of the misconceptions of the disease, much like leprosy treatment was an outgrowth of misconceptions. Several Damien Centers have been established worldwide to serve people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.^[3]

Early life

Damien was born Jozef ("Jef") de Veuster, the seventh child of the corn merchant Frans de Veuster and his wife Cato Wouters in the village of Tremelo in Flemish Brabant. He attended college at Braine-le-Comte, then entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Leuven, taking the name of Damianus (Damiaan in Dutch) in his first vows, probably after Saint Damian.^[4] Following in his brother's footsteps, Damien became a Picpus Brother on October 7, 1860. His brother could not fulfill his dream of travelling overseas to actively participate in missionary work. Damien took up his brother's dream as his own and went in his place on a mission abroad. Hi Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. ... Braine-le-Comte (Dutch: s-Gravenbrakel) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. ... Leuven   (French Louvain, German Löwen) is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in Flanders, Belgium, European Union. ... The Beheading of Cosmas and Damian, by Fra Angelico Saints Cosmas and Damian (died 303) were twins and early Christian martyrs, born in Cilicia, or in Arabia, who practiced the art of healing in the seaport of Ægea (modern Ayash) in the Gulf of Iskanderun, then in the Roman province... Father Pierre Coudrin, founder of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, from a window in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ...

Birth place

Download high resolution version (1024x768, 134 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1024x768, 134 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Mission to Hawaii

On March 19, 1864, Damien landed at Honolulu Harbor in downtown Honolulu as a missionary. There, Damien was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1864 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, a church established by his religious order. He served at several parishes on the island of Oahu just as the kingdom faced a public health crisis. is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Aloha Tower has been greeting vessels to port at Honolulu Harbor since September 11, 1926. ... Downtown Honolulu is the current and historic central part of Honolulu—bounded by Nu‘uanu Stream to the west, Ward Avenue to the east, Vineyard Boulevard to the north, and Honolulu Harbor to the south—situated within the larger Honolulu District. ... is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace is the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States. ... Oʻahu (usually Oahu outside Hawaiian and Hawaiian English), the Gathering Place, is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the State of Hawaiʻi. ...

Native Hawaiians became afflicted by diseases inadvertently introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by foreign traders and sailors. Thousands died of influenza, syphilis and other ailments which had never before affected Hawaiians. This included the plight of leprosy, today called Hansen's disease. Fearful of its spread, King Kamehameha V segregated the lepers of the kingdom and moved them to a settlement colony on the north side of the island of Molokai. The Royal Board of Health provided them with supplies and food but did not yet have the resources to offer proper healthcare. In 1865, Father Damien was assigned to the Catholic Mission in North Kohala on the island of Hawai‘i. While Msgr. Louis Maigret, vicar apostolic, believed that the lepers at the very least needed a priest to minister to their needs, he realized that this assignment could potentially be a death sentence. After prayerful thought, Damien asked Msgr. Maigret for permission to go to Moloka‘i. Native Hawaiians (in Hawaiian, kānaka ōiwi or kānaka maoli) are the Polynesian peoples of the Hawaiian Islands who trace their ancestry back to Marquesan and possibly Tahitian settlers (starting circa AD 400), before the arrival of British explorer Captain James Cook in 1778. ... Map of the Hawaiian Islands, a chain of islands that stretches 2,400 km in a northwesterly direction from the southern tip of the Island of Hawai‘i. ... Influenza, commonly known as flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). ... Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. ... Father Damien was a Roman Catholic missionary who helped lepers on Hawaii and also died of the disease. ... Kamehameha V was the last monarch of the House of Kamehameha. ... Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hawi is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church of Hawaii in the United States. ... Memorial stone at Maigrets burial crypt in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu. ...

Colony of death

Father Damien, seen here with the Kalawao Girls Choir during the 1870s, took on the role of priest and doctor to lepers in settlement colonies.

Father Damien's church at Kalawao.

On May 10, 1873, Damien arrived at the secluded settlement at Kalaupapa. Bishop Maigret presented Damien to the colonists as "one who will be a father to you, and who loves you so much that he does not hesitate to become one of you; to live and die with you." The settlement was surrounded by an impregnable mountain ridge. There were 816 lepers living at Kalaupapa. Damien's first course of action was to build a church and establish the Parish of Saint Philomena. Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace archived image of Father Damien and a group of lepers at Kalaupapa, Molokai, circa 1870s. ... Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace archived image of Father Damien and a group of lepers at Kalaupapa, Molokai, circa 1870s. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1136x852, 261 KB) The Catholic church at Kalawao, Molokaʻi, where Father Damien served. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1136x852, 261 KB) The Catholic church at Kalawao, Molokaʻi, where Father Damien served. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Kalaupapa, Hawaii is a town of Kalawao County on the island of Molokai in the state of Hawaii. ... Saint Philomena is a saint and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church, said to have been a young Greek princess martyred in the 4th century. ...

University of Hawaii System historians working with the Hawaii Catholic Church to archive its history agree that Damien was the only one in a position to provide comfort for the people of Kalaupapa. His role was not limited to being a priest; he took on the role of doctor as well. He dressed ulcers, built homes and beds. Damien even built coffins and dug graves. Jean Charlots mural called Commencement is featured at Bachman Hall, the administrative center of the University of Hawai`i System. ... The title page to The Historians History of the World. ... Episcopal crest of Bishop Clarence Silva The Catholic Diocese of Honolulu is an ecclesiastical territory or particular church of the Catholic Church in the United States. ...

Sociologists argued before the Roman Curia in proceedings for sainthood that Damien was sent to a morally deprived, lawless "colony of death" where people were forced to fight each other to survive. The kingdom didn't plan the settlement to be in such disarray but the government's neglect in providing much needed resources and medical help created the chaos. Damien's arrival is seen as a turning point for the community. Under his leadership, basic laws were enforced, shacks became painted houses, working farms were organized and schools were erected. This article provides a list of noted sociologists and major contributors to sociology (even if they did not primarily work as sociologists): Contents: Top - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic... In the Roman Catholic Church, every diocese has a curia, consisting of the chief officials of the diocese. ... General definition of saint In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ...

His symbols are a tree and a dove.

Death

Father Damien died on April 15, 1889. This photograph shows Mother Marianne Cope standing beside his body.

As indicated in diaries, in December 1884 Damien went about his evening ritual of soaking his feet in boiling water. He could not feel the heat: he had contracted leprosy. Despite the discovery, residents claim that Damien worked vigorously to build as many homes as he could and planned for the continuation of the programmes he created after he was gone. In the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace archives image, Father Damien lies dead with Mother Marianne Kopp at his side, April 15, 1888. ... In the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace archives image, Father Damien lies dead with Mother Marianne Kopp at his side, April 15, 1888. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

With the flurry of activity, four strangers came to Kalaupapa in search of Damien to help the ailing missionary. Louis Lambert Conrardy was a Belgian priest. Mother Marianne Cope was Superior of the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse. Joseph Dutton was an American Civil War soldier who left behind a marriage broken because of alcoholism. James Sinnett was a nurse from Chicago. Conrardy took up pastoral duties while Cope organized a working hospital. Dutton attended to the construction and maintenance of the community's buildings. Sinnett nursed Damien in the last phases of the disease, closing his eyes upon Father Damien's death at the age of 49 from leprosy. He was originally buried on Molokai, but in 1936, the Belgian government asked for the return of his body, and is now buried in Leuven, a city close to the village where he was born. Mother Marianne Cope, also called Blessed Marianne of Molokai, lived, worked and died for the lepers of Hawaii. ... Nickname: The Salt City Location of Syracuse within the state of New York Coordinates: City Government  - Mayor Matthew Driscoll Area  - City 66. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ... Nickname: Motto: Urbs in Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location in the Chicago metro area and Illinois Coordinates: , Country United States State Illinois Counties Cook, DuPage Settled 1770s Incorporated March 4, 1837 Government  - Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Area  - City  234. ... Leuven   (French Louvain, German Löwen) is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in Flanders, Belgium, European Union. ...

Order of Kalakaua

Altar of the Kalawao Catholic church.

King David Kalakaua bestowed on Damien the honor Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Kalakaua. When Princess Lydia Liliuokalani visited the settlement to present the medal, she was reported as having been too distraught and heartbroken to read her speech. The princess shared her experience with the world and publicly acclaimed Damien's efforts. Consequently, Damien's name was spread across the United States and Europe. American Protestants raised large sums of money for the missionary. The Church of England sent food, medicine, clothing and supplies. It is believed that Damien never wore the medal given to him. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (852x1136, 98 KB) Interior of Father Damiens church at Kalawao, MolokaÊ»i. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (852x1136, 98 KB) Interior of Father Damiens church at Kalawao, MolokaÊ»i. ... David Kalākaua was elected by the legislature to assume the throne of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i upon the death of William Charles Lunalilo. ... Badge of the Order. ... LiliÊ»uokalani, Queen of HawaiÊ»i (September 2, 1838 – November 11, 1917), originally named Lydia KamakaÊ»eha, also known as Lydia KamakaÊ»eha Paki, with the chosen royal name of LiliÊ»uokalani, and later named Lydia K. Dominis, was the last monarch of the Kingdom of HawaiÊ»i. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Protestantism encompasses the forms... The Church of England logo since 1998 The Church of England is the officially established Christian church[1] in England, and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ...

Criticisms

Upon his death, a global discussion arose as to the mysteries of Damien's life and his work on the island of Molokai. Much criticism came especially out of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches in Hawaii. It has been argued for decades that these church leaders took a stance against Damien merely out of spite for Catholicism in general.^{[citation needed]} They derided Damien as a "false shepherd" who was driven by personal ambition and ego. The most famous treatise published against Damien was by a Honolulu Presbyterian, Reverend C. M. Hyde, in a letter dated August 2, 1889 to a fellow pastor, Reverend H. B. Gage. Reverend Hyde wrote: Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs. ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... is the 214th day of the year (215th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Following Father Damien's death the lepers of Molokai gathered around his grave in mourning.

Father Damien's grave today.

In answer to your inquiries about Father Damien, I can only reply that we who knew the man are surprised at the extravagant newspaper laudations, as if he was a most saintly philanthropist. The simple truth is, he was a coarse, dirty man, head-strong and bigoted. He was not sent to Molokai, but went there without orders; did not stay at the leper settlement (before he became one himself), but circulated freely over the whole island (less than half the island is devoted to the lepers), and he came often to Honolulu. He had no hand in the reforms and improvements inaugurated, which were the work of our Board of Health, as occasion required and means were provided. He was not a pure man in his relations with women, and the leprosy of which he died should be attributed to his vices and carelessness. Others have done much for the lepers, our own ministers, the government physicians, and so forth, but never with the Catholic idea of meriting eternal life.^[5]

Having read the letter, Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, also a Presbyterian, drafted an equally famous treatise as a rebuttal in defense of Damien and derided Reverend Hyde for creating gossip to support his blatant anti-Catholic agenda. On October 26, 1889, Stevenson wrote: Father Damiens grave on the day he was buried in April 1888. ... Father Damiens grave on the day he was buried in April 1888. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1136x852, 323 KB) The grave of Father Damien at Kalawao, Molokaʻi. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1136x852, 323 KB) The grave of Father Damien at Kalawao, Molokaʻi. ... This article is about the country. ... Authorship redirects here. ... Robert Louis Stevenson Robert Louis (Balfour) Stevenson (November 13, 1850–December 3, 1894), was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer, and a leading representative of Neo-romanticism in English literature. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

When we have failed, and another has succeeded; when we have stood by, and another has stepped in; when we sit and grow bulky in our charming mansions, and a plain, uncouth peasant steps into the battle, under the eyes of God, and succours the afflicted, and consoles the dying, and is himself afflicted in his turn, and dies upon the field of honour — the battle cannot be retrieved as your unhappy irritation has suggested. It is a lost battle, and lost for ever. ^[5]

In addition to calling Reverend Hyde a "crank", Stevenson answered the charge that Damien was "not sent to Molokai but went there without orders" by arguing that:

Is this a misreading? or do you really mean the words for blame? I have heard Christ, in the pulpits of our Church, held up for imitation on the ground that His sacrifice was voluntary. Does Dr. Hyde think otherwise?^[5]

In the process of examining Damien's fitness for beatification and canonization, the Roman Curia pored over a great deal of documentation of published and unpublished criticisms against the missionary's life and work. Diaries and interviews were scoured and debated. In the end it was found that what Stevenson called "heroism" was indeed genuine.

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi offered his own defense of Damien's life and work. Gandhi claimed Damien to have been an inspiration for his social campaigns in India that led to the freedom of his people and secured aid for those that needed it. Gandhi was quoted in M.S. Mehendale’s 1971 account called Gandhi Looks at Leprosy as saying, "The political and journalistic world can boast of very few heroes who compare with Father Damien of Moloka'i. It is worthwhile to look for the sources of such heroism."^[6] Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Gujarati: , Hindi: , IAST: mohandās karamcand gāndhÄ«, IPA: ) (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948), was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ...

Canonization process

This statue of Father Damien sits outside the entrance to the Hawaiʻi State Capitol Building on the island of Oʻahu.

On June 4, 1995, Pope John Paul II beatified Blessed Damien and gave him his official spiritual title. On December 20, 1999, Jorge Medina Estévez, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, confirmed the November 1999 decision of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to place Blessed Damien on the liturgical calendar with the rank of optional memorial. His official Feast Day is on May 10 of each year. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu is currently awaiting findings by the Vatican as to the authenticity of several miracles attributed to Damien. Upon confirmation that those miracles are genuine, Blessed Damien could then be canonized and receive the title of Saint Damien of Molokaʻi. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1340x1755, 286 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Father Damien ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1340x1755, 286 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Father Damien ... OÊ»ahu (usually Oahu outside Hawaiian and Hawaiian English), the Gathering Place, is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the State of Hawaii. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... The Roman Curia — usually called the Vatican — is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (also known as the USCCB) is the official governing body of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Episcopal crest of Bishop Clarence Silva The Catholic Diocese of Honolulu is an ecclesiastical territory or particular church of the Catholic Church in the United States. ... This article discusses the process of declaring saints. ...

In Blessed Damien's role as patron of those with HIV and AIDS, the world's only Roman Catholic memorial chapel to those who have died of this disease, at the Église Saint-Pierre-Apôtre in Montreal, is consecrated to him. Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (well-being through harmony) Coordinates: , Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government  - Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area [1][2][3]  - City 365. ...

Movie

After the beatification of Blessed Damien, Belgian film producer Tharsi Vanhuysse was inspired to lead a project honoring the famous priest. Vanhuysse teamed with film producer Grietje Lammertyn of ERA Films and searched for screenwriter, director and lesser known actors. Australian David Wenham was chosen to play the lead. Another Australian, Paul Cox, was selected to direct the project. Previously, he had completed an independent movie about the artist Vincent van Gogh. American John Briley wrote the screenplay. Briley was an Academy Award winner for writing the screenplay for Gandhi. He also worked on the movie, Cry Freedom. Other actors in the movie entitled Molokai: The Story of Father Damien include Derek Jacobi, Kris Kristofferson, Sam Neill, Tom Wilkinson and Peter O'Toole. The movie was released on March 17, 2000. David Wenham (born 21 September 1965) is an Australian actor who has appeared in movies, television series and theatre productions. ... An editor has expressed a concern that the subject of the article does not satisfy one of the following guidelines for inclusion on Wikipedia: If you are familiar with the subject matter, please expand the article to establish its notability, citing reliable sources, so as to avoid its being considered... Vincent Willem van Gogh (sometimes erroneously pronounced [ˈvɪnsənt væn ˈɡɒf] or [ˈvɪnsənt vɑn ˈɡɔx] in British English and [ˈvɪnsənt væn ˈɡoʊ] in US English; the correct Dutch pronunciation is ) (30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist artist. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... Gandhi (1982) is a multi-award-winning biopic film about the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (often known as Mahatma Gandhi), who was leader of the nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the first half of the 20th century. ... Cry Freedom is a feature film directed by Richard Attenborough, set in the late 1970s, during the apartheid era of South Africa. ... Sir Derek George Jacobi, CBE (IPA: ) (born 22 October 1938) is an English actor and director, knighted in 1994 for his services to the theatre. ... Kristoffer Kris Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an influential American country music songwriter, singer and actor. ... Sam Neill (born Nigel John Dermot Neill), DCNZM, OBE (born 14 September 1947) is a New Zealand-Australian film and television actor, and owner of the Two Paddocks winery in Central Otago. ... This article is about the English actor. ... Peter Seamus OToole (Peter James OToole) (born August 2, 1932 (accepted but presumed date) is an eight-time Academy Award-nominated Irish actor. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Father Damien was portrayed in 1980 by Ken Howard in the television film Father Damien: Leper Priest.^[7] For the British artist, see Ken Howard (artist). ...

This reredos of an Episcopal-Anglican Church in Hollywood, California shows the cross-denominational veneration of Blessed Damien of Molokai.
- St. Thomas the Apostle Church's Damien Chapel.

Image File history File linksMetadata FrDamienSm. ... Image File history File linksMetadata FrDamienSm. ... The Episcopal Churchs Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Washington, D.C. is often referred to as the National Cathedral. The Episcopal Church in the United States of America is the Province of the Anglican Communion in the United States and several other nations, including dioceses... Greetings from Hollywood Hollywood is a district of the city of Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., that extends from Vermont Avenue on the east to just beyond Laurel Canyon Boulevard above Sunset and Crescent Heights Boulevards on the west; the north to south boundary east of La Brea Avenue... Veneration is a religious symbolic act giving honor to someone by honoring an image of that person, particularly applied to saints. ... For other churches with the same or similar name, please see Saint Thomas. ...

References

Sources

• Gavan Daws, Holy Man: Father Damien of Molokai, University of Hawai'i Press, 1994.
• Hilde Eynikel, Molokai: The Story of Father Damien, Alba House: 1999.
• Richard Stewart, Leper Priest of Moloka'i: The Father Damien Story, University of Hawai'i Press: 2001.

Gavan Daws is an award-winning author, Hawaiiana heritage researcher and mentor. ...

External links

• A Defense of Father Damien Against Protestant Criticism by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Architect of the Capitol Biography of Blessed Damien
• Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace Biography of Damien
• Damien Memorial High School Biography of Damien
• Damien High School - La Verne, California
• Hawaii State Government Biography of Damien
• New Advent Biography of Damien
• Kalaupapa National Historic Park - about the human and natural community of Father Damien's work
• Molokai: The Story of Father Damien - IMDB.com's article about the movie
• Father Damien (Joseph de Veuster) - Catholic Encyclopedia article
• Non-profit Organization to suport Leprosy Patients
• Damien Chapel - Hollywood, CA USA
• Damien House Foundation - Chicago, USA
• Damien House - Cootehill, Ireland