Father Damien of Moloka'i Canonized.

[DawnCt1]

I will preface this by saying that I am not Catholic, but if sainthood was ever more deserved, it is Father Damien who deserves it. His grave remains in Kalawao, Molokai, but years ago the Belgian government claimed his body. All that remains there is his hand but the grave site is honored every day with flower leis. He was interred among more than 7000 UNMARKED graves who died on Kaulapapa. Unable to leave but given a humane quality of life because of the work of Father Damien and Mother Marianne Cope who arrived later. One of the most moving visits to a historic site that I have ever made, was the mule ride down the 28 switchbacks of cliffs of Molokai to visit Kaulapapa. We were greeting by Sheriff Richard Marks, who too was imprisoned from the age of 14. He ran away several times, was recaptured and then chose to stay. In 1968 all of them were "paroled", although some left earlier when their skin punches were clean. When I first planned to visit the pennisula there were 68 residents. By the time we were able to go, there were only 34 permanent residents plus those who work there. Now there are only 19. They all may leave but this is the only home that most of them have ever known. When the last one passes, Kaulapapa will become a National Park. As beautiful as it was, it was a gilded cage with limited means of escape, particularly prior to motorized watercraft. It claims the most shark infested waters in all of Hawaii. The artifacts, photos and documents are amazing. The morning visit doesn't allow the time to explore all that the site has to offer.

Damien clan plans to attend ceremony


By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Staff Writer

Among the thousands set to crowd St. Peter's Square for the canonization of Father Damien will be 127 people with a special connection to the Sacred Hearts priest.
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The youngest of the group is 2; the oldest is 90. Together, they represent most of Father Damien's living relatives.

The group will travel to Rome from all over Belgium, Father Damien's birthplace, coming together for something of a family reunion to attend the canonization and also spend some time sightseeing and shopping. Father Damien's great-great nephew, Jan de Veuster, who planned the trip, said the relatives will be traveling in two groups — one with 40 people, one with 87.

The last time the family came together was in 1995, when Damien was beatified in Belgium and given the title of "blessed," in Roman Catholicism, the last step before someone is elevated to sainthood.

In a phone interview from Belgium, de Veuster said the family is awed and inspired by the reverence for Father Damien around the world. "We are happy ... proud," said de Veuster, 62.

He added, "We didn't do anything. We are just relatives."

Father Damien, born Joseph de Veuster in Tremelo, Belgium, in 1840, will be elevated to sainthood Oct. 11 in St. Peter's Square. The priest is known around the world for his service to Hansen's disease patients in Kalaupapa, Moloka'i, from 1873 to 1889, when he himself died from the disease.

Jan de Veuster said he grew up learning about Father Damien from his family.

He also learned about his famous relative in school.

"Everyone knew him ... when we were youngsters. At that moment, no one was thinking about sainthood. For us, he was a saint," said de Veuster, adding that he has always thought of Father Damien as a hero. "He gave his life. I don't know any other description," he said.
a hero to belgians

In 1981, Jan de Veuster became the first member of his family to visit Kalaupapa since Father Damien's time. For that visit, he didn't alert anyone on the island that he was coming. But Richard Marks, a well-known Kalaupapa patient, activist and the last sheriff of Kalawao County, recognized his name on a passenger list and picked him up at the airstrip himself.

Marks, who died last year, and de Veuster quickly became good friends.

De Veuster said he spent time at Marks' home in Kalaupapa and visited three more times.

Marks also visited de Veuster in Belgium.

De Veuster said he hopes to reconnect with other patients attending the canonization, including Marks' wife, Gloria. The patients will make a pilgrimage with Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva to Belgium, before heading to Rome for the canonization. Their stops will include a big celebration on Oct. 4 in Tremelo, which de Veuster said he also plans to attend.

De Veuster said there is lots of excitement about the canonization in Belgium.

Father Damien is a national hero, he added, even though most Belgians today aren't religious. He said part of Father Damien's appeal to Catholics and non-Catholics alike was the priest's amazing sacrifice.

"It was the braveness" of Father Damien, de Veuster said.
Name lives on

De Veuster, who started a successful travel agency in Schoten, Belgium, that is now managed by one of his sons, said he will be leading the larger group of relatives on a five-day tour of Rome to culminate with the canonization. His son, Maarten, will lead the smaller group.

That group will spend three days in Rome.

The relatives will share meals together, visit sites and attend the canonization.

De Veuster said his branch of the family is "the northern part."

In all, he said, there are "10 tribes" of de Veusters scattered around Belgium.

In de Veuster's immediate family, he said, there has long been a tradition to take Jozef Damiaan as a "second and third Christian name" to commemorate Father Damien. De Veuster is Jan Jozef Damiaan. His sons are also named after Father Damien, as are his grandchildren.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.<a h...rtiser.com</a>http:///article/20090921/NEWS01/9092...ttend+ceremony

[Pooh's Pixie]

I agree, Dawn. I haven't been to Molokai, but read the historical novel by Allen Brennert. The triumph of the human spirit is truly amazing. Father Damien was a saint. It is incredible to devote your entire life in exile to something you know will kill you.

[rie'smom]

One of my nursing school professors in the 70's had worked with the patients in the 1940s. She told us stories those days. It was so interesting.

[DawnCt1]

Originally Posted by Pooh's Pixie

I agree, Dawn. I haven't been to Molokai, but read the historical novel by Allen Brennert. The triumph of the human spirit is truly amazing. Father Damien was a saint. It is incredible to devote your entire life in exile to something you know will kill you.

Which novel is that. I know I would love to read it. I have read several books on Molokai, including the biography of Mother Marianne Cope. She went as a young woman and died there, never contracting leprosy. Father Damien was the patients' doctor, nurse, confidant, priest, friend, church builder, coffin builder, grave digger, sometimes father and mother to all that were isolated there. I was watching a news account today and I believe I saw Henry Halaielua, who wrote the book, "No footprints in the Sand". One of my favorite books for those who really want to understand the impact of the 20th century patient was the sociological study, "The Separating Sickness". Its a small book of the individual stories of patients, some no more than a page or two, that tells the story of their diagnosis and separation from their families. Some as young as four and five. I have read many books on this part of Hawaiian history. It is fascinating and very moving. Edited to add, I looked up the author and I did read that book! All the books about Moloka'i are wonderful. One book that was poorly written but so good, was "Olivia, my life in Exile". It was poorly written because she was removed from her life as a teenager, barely completely her education. It was written by Olive Breitha. I believe she died last year.

[DawnCt1]

Originally Posted by rie'smom

One of my nursing school professors in the 70's had worked with the patients in the 1940s. She told us stories those days. It was so interesting.

When we visited Saint Philamina Church, the site of Father Damien's grave, we noted the bright colors on each of the different walls inside the church; hot pink, bright blue and green. We were told that the Hawaiian people of the time loved bright colors. We also noted the round holes, rather large, cut into the floor. That was to let the fresh air in and the smell from the rotting flesh of the patients who attended church. It was a haunting place standing on Kaulapapa among over 7000 unmarked graves. I hope to take the mule ride again some day.

[Pooh's Pixie]

Originally Posted by DawnCt1

Which novel is that. I know I would love to read it. .

It is called "Moloka'i" and the author is Allen Brennert. it is historical fiction, but tells the story of one family and their exile, etc. Obviously some of the characters were the real people like Fr. Damien & Sister Marianne.
Great read!

[DawnCt1]

Originally Posted by Pooh's Pixie

It is called "Moloka'i" and the author is Allen Brennert. it is historical fiction, but tells the story of one family and their exile, etc. Obviously some of the characters were the real people like Fr. Damien & Sister Marianne.
Great read!

Thanks, when I googled it I recognized the cover. I have read it. I loved it. There are two books with the same title, different authors.