St. Damien of Molokai 1840-1889

Waffles, Anyone? St. Damien of Molokai was originally born Joseph de Veuster. He was the son of well-to-do farmers. While, he was in college, Damien decided that God was calling him to be a priest.

Go Help Your Brother Damien wound up entering the same community of priests to which his brother belonged. This is when he took his new name. When his brother became ill, Damien volunteered to take his place on a mission to Hawaii.

Whatever you do to the least of my people… Once in Hawaii, Damien felt drawn to a colony on the island of Molokai. The people of Molokai suffered from a disease called leprosy. Leprosy causes terrible sores to appear on a person’s skin and can damage body parts.

Somebody need a carpenter? Damien volunteered to work with the lepers. The colony was so poor that they had no doctors and no other priests. Damien not only preached but he also organized a building detail. His group built houses, roads, water systems, orphanages, and churches.

Many, many hats Damien acted as the colony’s sheriff, counselor, undertaker, and choir director. His hard work, inspired the lepers to help each other and become better Christians.

What did he say? Every Sunday for many years, Damien would open his homily with “My dear lepers” However, one Sunday, Damien opened with “My fellow lepers.” Unfortunately, he too had contracted leprosy.

Building a Road Damien’s example inspired other priests and nuns to come help the lepers. Since, he died as a result of his pursuit in helping others, Damien is known as one of the Church’s martyrs.