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St. Damien of Molokai

Friday May 10, 2024

St. Damien of Molokai is a beloved figure in the history of the Catholic Church, renowned for his compassionate service to those afflicted with leprosy in the Hawaiian Islands. He is widely celebrated as a model of selflessness, courage, and dedication to the poor and marginalized. In this blog post, we will explore the life and legacy of this remarkable man.

Early Life and Calling

St. Damien of Molokai, whose birth name was Jozef De Veuster, was born on January 3, 1840, in Tremelo, Belgium. He was the youngest of seven children and grew up in a family of farmers. Despite his humble beginnings, he felt a strong calling to the priesthood from a young age, and in 1859, he entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

After completing his studies and being ordained a priest, he expressed a desire to serve as a missionary in a foreign land. In 1864, he was assigned to the Hawaiian Islands, where he began his lifelong mission of ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of the people.

Ministry on Molokai

In 1873, St. Damien volunteered to go to the island of Molokai, where a community of lepers had been exiled by the Hawaiian government. The conditions on Molokai were appalling - the lepers were abandoned and left to fend for themselves in squalid conditions, and there was little medical or spiritual care available.

St. Damien was deeply moved by the suffering he witnessed on Molokai, and he quickly set about establishing a community that would provide both physical and spiritual care for the lepers. He built churches, homes, and hospitals, and he tirelessly ministered to the sick and dying. He also helped to establish a sense of community and solidarity among the lepers, who had been ostracized and stigmatized by society.

St. Damien himself contracted leprosy in 1885, but he continued to work among the lepers until his death in 1889. His selfless service and devotion to the poor and marginalized have made him a hero to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Legacy

St. Damien of Molokai's legacy lives on in the hearts of those he served and in the countless people who have been inspired by his example of love and compassion. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009, and his feast day is celebrated on May 10th.

St. Damien's life and work are a powerful reminder of the importance of service to others, especially those who are most vulnerable and marginalized. He is a model of selflessness, courage, and dedication, and his example continues to inspire us to this day.

In conclusion, St. Damien of Molokai was a remarkable man who dedicated his life to serving those who were cast aside by society. His example of love and compassion continues to inspire people around the world, and his legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of selfless service to others.

Patron Saint of ...

St. Damien of Molokai is the patron saint of people with leprosy and outcasts.

Daily Mass Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Damien Joseph de Veuster of Moloka’i, Priest

The readings for the feast of St. Damien of Molokai may be taken from the Common of Pastors or the Common of Holy Men and Women.

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American Saint Activity Series

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The American Saints Activity series helps families learn more about American saints in hopes that they will look to them as role models. One of the offerings in the series is based on the life of St. Damien of Molokai.

To earn the patch, youth and adults must learn about the life of St. Damien. Then they participate in their choice of activities based on what they have learned. For St. Damien, the activities include discussing what we admire about Damien, drawing a picture, creating a poster of hope for a hospital, and visiting with the sick or elderly.

More information about the program and the complete requirements for the patch can be found at St. Damien of Molokai Activity for Families.

This series is promoted by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, but all youth and adults can do the activities and receive the patches, whether in Scouting or not, or Catholic or not.

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