Damien of molokai the foremost catholic blog, bringing you relevant news and guidance on your spiritual journey. He entered the novitiate of the fathers of the sacred heart of jesus and mary at. Saint damien of molokai by pauline books and media issuu. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. He took the name of a fourthcentury physician and martyr and left his name, joseph, behind. He restrained the strong from brutalizing the weak.
Growing up on the farm, jozef was prepared to take over for his family, but he did not want the responsibility. For centuries, thousands of natives were forcibly quarantined on a remote island because of the. Damien of molokai, was born in rural belgium, on january 3, 1840. Honolulus damien memorial high school carries his name, while the damien museum located on the grounds of st. Damien of molokai priest of heroic kindness aquinas. He was known for helping people with leprosy in the colony of kalaupapa on the island of molokai in hawaii. He was sent to the hawaiian missions in 1864, working first on the island of hawaii and. On may 10, the catholic church celebrates saint damien of molokai who worked in the leper colony on the island of molokai in hawaii. He joined the same community his brother had joined and took the name damien.
His father, a small farmer, sent him to a college at brainelecomte, to prepare for a commercial profession. By the time he died at the age of 49, people all over the world knew about this disease because of him. Countless books have been written and a full length feature film on his life story is in the making. Hero of hawaii encounter the saints series damien of molokai. He was unable to finish school because he was needed on his familys farm at the age of. The life and letters of father damien, apostle of the lepers. May 09, 2019 the belgian priest sacrificed his life and health to become a spiritual father to the victims of leprosy, quarantined on a hawaiian island. While at college, he decided god was calling him to be a priest. The story of father damien saint damien of molokai virginia helen richards and d.
As a result, he made difficult choices that many of us would shy away from. Father damien and the bells, vision series book st. Jozef jef began his novitiate with the congregation of the sacred hearts of jesus and mary picpus fathers at the beginning of 1859 and took the name damien. As a member of this religious community, he took the name damien. May 02, 2018 on may 10, the catholic church celebrates saint damien of molokai who worked in the leper colony on the island of molokai in hawaii. There, victims of horrible disfigurement with the promise of a lingering death, the lepers led a harsh existence. His was a large family and his father was a farmermerchant. Jennifer fulwilers saints name generator gave me the challenge of pondering his life this year.
Damien of molokai from the common of pastors, except for the following. He was recognized for his ministry, which he led from 1873. Damien of molokai january 3, 1840 april 15, 1889, was a missionary of the congregation of the sacred hearts of jesus and mary who is. Joseph became father damien and was sent as a missionary to hawaii and, eventually, to molokai to become a priest for those suffering from leprosy. He contracted leprosy in 1885, and though severely crippled by the disease, father damien worked until the end.
The belgian priest sacrificed his life and health to become a spiritual father to the victims of leprosy, quarantined on a hawaiian island. Damien spent considerable time on earth striving to serve to god. He was the ninth saint to have worked, lived, and died in the united states. He chose this name after a fourthcentury physician and martyr. In 1873, at his request, he was sent to the leper colony at molokai. Today this illness, now called hansens disease, is curable with medication, and people who suffer the disease no longer live in exile. Damien was so dedicated that molokai almost became his surname. When he was only he had to quit school to work on the family farm.
The canonization of father damien took place on october 11, 2009 at. It was his theory that leprosy was caused by a diminution of the blood, and his treatment consisted of nourishing food, moderate exercise, frequent friction to the benumbed parts, special ointments and medical baths. Franciscan media is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and well only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you requested from us. Augustine church in waikiki is a popular destination of visitors who continue on to molokai to see where father damien lived and worked. Saint damien of molokai spiritual patron for leprosy and outcasts blessed laminated italian holy card with gold accents. When his oldest brother entered the congregation of the sacred hearts of jesus and mary, his father planned that joseph should take charge of the family business. Damiens brother had dreamed of being a missionary overseas. Damien of molokai january 3, 1840 april 15, 1889, was a missionary of the congregation of the sacred hearts of.
Upon his oldest brother pamphile entering the congregation of the sacred hearts of jesus and mary, at the age. A joyful celibate brings hope and dignity to the walking dead. Damien has been canonized in both the eastern and latin rites. He lived a life inspired by selflessness and sacrifice and his work, like that of mother teresa and albert schweitzer, stands as a radiant example to all who wish to follow in the footsteps of the christ the man for others. Father damien became their caregiver, companion, and champion. Father damien kalaupapa national historical park u. At age 19, he joined the congregation of the sacred hearts of jesus and mary.
Joined sacred hearts fathers joined the congregation of sacred hearts of jesus and mary when he was twenty. He studied at the college at brainelecomte, belgium. Damien for bringing the good news to people who had been abandoned and treated badly by society. Hawaii may be a paradise to most, but it holds a dark secret. Damien got sick with leprosy and died on molokai in 1889. He joined the picpus fathers on 7 october 1860, taking the name damien.
No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Damien of molokai was declared a saint on october 11, 2009. He served as a priest in the leper colony for 16 years before he succumbed to the disease. During this time, many native hawaiians were dying from many of the diseases. Pierre coudrin, founder of the sacred heart fathers. He died april 15th 1889 a long way from home on molokai in hawaii. He cleaned and bandaged their sores, bathed them, amputated their gangrenous limbs, and washed their clothes. Damien volunteered to become the permanent chaplain to molokai.
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