Father damien biography

Three years later, though still in minor orders , he was sent to the mission of the Hawaiian Islands , where he arrived, 19 March, Ordained priest at Honolulu 24 May of the same year, he was later given charge of various districts on the island of Hawaii, and, animated with a burning zeal , his robust constitution allowed him to give full play to the impulses of his heart.

He was not only the missionary of the natives, but also constructed several chapels with his own hands, both in Hawaii and in Molokai. On the latter island there had grown up a leper settlement where the Government kept segregated all persons afflicted with the loathsome disease. The board of health supplied the unfortunates with food and clothing, but was unable in the beginning to provide them with either resident physicians or nurses.

On 10 May, , Father Damien, at his own request and with the sanction of his bishop , arrived at the settlement as its resident priest. There were then lepers. He not only administered the consolations of religion, but also rendered them such little medical service and bodily comforts as were within his power. He dressed their ulcers, helped them erect their cottages, and went so far as to dig their graves and make their coffins.

After twelve years of this heroic service he discovered in himself the first symptoms of the disease. He became a Picpus Brother on October 7, There, Damien was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, a church built by his religious order. He served at several parishes on the island of Oahu before becoming aware that the Kingdom was facing a public health crisis and his help would be needed.

Hawaiians became afflicted by diseases brought to the islands by foreigners settling in the Kingdom. Thousands would die of influenza, syphilis and other ailments that never before affected Hawaiians. This included the plight of leprosy, today called Hansen's Disease. Fearful of its spread, King Kamehameha IV segregated the lepers of his Kingdom and moved them to a settlement colony on the island of Molokai.

The Board of Health provided them with supplies and food but did not yet have the resources to provide proper healthcare. Damien believed that they should at least have a priest to tend to their spiritual needs. A surefire death sentence, Damien asked his bishop to be sent to Molokai. Bishop Louis Maigret, ss. There were lepers living at Kalaupapa.

His first action was to build a church and establish the Parish of St. Philomena so the lepers may worship. Damien found himself to be the only one who could provide comfort for the people of Kalaupapa. Notify me of new comments via email. Cancel Report. Create a new account. Log In. Browse Biographies. Honolulu, HI. Retrieved 4 September The Architect of the Capitol.

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Father damien biography

Retrieved 1 July Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Archived from the original on 17 July Retrieved 2 August Catholic News Agency. Radio Vaticana. Archived from the original on 25 May New York: Robert Appleton Company, Archived from the original on 13 May Retrieved 20 April Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

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