Saint Joseph De Veuster

Biography

Saint Joseph De Veuster, also known as Father Damien, was born on January 3, 1840, on the family farm in Tremeloo, Belgium. He came from humble beginnings, being the son of a small farmer. At a young age, Damien showed a strong inclination towards religious life and pursued his passion for knowledge by studying at the college in Braine-le-Comte, Belgium. On October 7, 1860, Damien joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, also known as the Picpus Fathers. He took the name Damien upon entering the religious order and continued his studies as a seminarian in Paris, France. During his time in seminary, Damien's dedication to missionary work became evident, and he volunteered to serve in distant lands. In response to his request, Damien was sent to the Kingdom of Hawaii, where he arrived in Honolulu in March 1864. He was ordained as a priest in Honolulu on May 24, 1864, and immediately set out on his mission to bring the Catholic faith to the people of Hawaii. His parish, encompassing the Hawaiian Islands, was vast and presented considerable challenges. A significant turning point in Father Damien's life came when he volunteered to serve in the leper colony on the island of Molokai. At that time, leprosy, now known as Hansen's disease, was a dreaded and incurable disease. The afflicted were ostracized and forced to live in isolation from society. In May 1873, Damien arrived at the remote Kalaupapa settlement and became the resident priest. Father Damien's selfless dedication to the lepers of Molokai was remarkable. Despite the harsh conditions and the constant risk of contracting the disease himself, he tirelessly ministered to the spiritual and medical needs of the patients. Through his efforts, Father Damien transformed the desolate and forsaken colony into a genuine community. Under his care, the lepers received the best available treatment of the time, and he provided them with hope and dignity. Father Damien worked tirelessly, not only attending to their medical needs but also fostering a sense of belonging, organizing various activities, and teaching them practical skills to improve their quality of life. In 1885, after years of selflessly serving the lepers, Father Damien himself contracted leprosy. Despite his deteriorating health and debilitating symptoms, he continued his work among the patients until the end. On April 15, 1889, Father Damien passed away on Molokai, Hawaii, succumbing to the disease he had tirelessly fought against. He was buried next to Saint Philomena Church on Molokai. In recognition of his exceptional virtues, Father Damien's cause for sainthood was initiated. He was venerated by Pope Paul VI on July 7, 1977, who declared his heroic virtues. On June 3, 1995, Pope John Paul II beatified Father Damien, and finally, on October 11, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI canonized him as a saint. Saint Joseph De Veuster, known as Father Damien, is now honored as a patron against leprosy and for lepers. His life and work serve as a powerful testament to the importance of compassion, selflessness, and unwavering faith in God's love, even in the most challenging circumstances.