Feast of St. Damien

"I feel no disgust when I hear the confessions of those near their end, whose wounds are full of maggots...This may give you some idea of my daily work.  Picture to yourself a collection of huts with 800 Lepers.  No doctor; in fact, as there is no cure, there seems no place for a doctor's skill." - 

Father Damien

EWTN Live Fr. William Petrie: Sacred Hearts Father and New Pastor of St. Damien Church, Molokai: Work with Hansen's Disease Patients

Father Petrie is a Sacred Hearts father just like Saint Damien and Father Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SSCC.

2nd Anniversary of Canonization of St. Damien of Moloka'i

Today, the 11th of October 2011, marks the 2nd anniversary of the canonization of St. Damien of Moloka'i.

A Mass in his honor was presided by Bishop Larry Silva, Bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

A group of pilgrims from Poland is seen in one of the photos. The accompanying priests in the pilgrimage are those at the altar with the bishop. They are Fr. Janusz and Fr. Stanislaw Wojtpwicz.

Deacon John Coughlin is seen reading the gospel and assisting Bishop Larry Silva.

In the last photo is Esther G. receiving Holy Communion.

Two songs composed by Patrick Downes were sang at this Mass. They are The Heart of Damien and Saint Damien.

Music was provided by Calvin Liu, Music Director of the Cathedral.

Feastday of St. Damien of Moloka'i, May 10

Mass in honor of Fr. Damien of Moloka'i
Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu

May 10, 2011

About St. Damien of Moloka'i

Kahilis for St. Damien Changed

If you had witnessed the "return" of Fr. Damien to the Cathedral, you might have noticed that the two kahilis placed on both sides of the reliquary were not the "reel kine." What that means is that they were not authentic -- though very good ones -- because they were made of ribbons and not feathers.

This past Sunday, August 15, the day Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace celebrated its 167th anniversary, just before the 12n Mass, was the installation of kahilis made with feathers.

Enjoy some of the pics I took that day:

Joe, a parishioner, opening the ceremony

procession of new kahilis

after the change

a Hawaiian brother standing beside the reliquary
while a woman prays

First Feastday of St. Damien of Moloka'i

People lined up to view the relic of St. Damien of Moloka'i at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, before and after the special Mass held in his honor. All viewers could touch the reliquary. This took place on Monday, May 10, 2010, the first time Hawai'i celebrated the feast day of Fr. Damien as a saint. Fr. Damien was canonized on October 11, 2009. The 12n Mass at the Cathedral was officiated by Fr. Gordon Gomes, Associate Pastor.

Relic of St. Damien of Moloka'i

(right heel)

Photos by Easter A.

Here's an article sent to me by St. Margaret Charles:

AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Hawaii celebrates feast of St. Damien of Molokai for first time since canonization

Honolulu (Agenzia Fides) – Today, the state of Hawaii will be celebrating the feast of their first saint, St. Damien of Molokai, for the first time since his canonization in Rome on October 11, 2009. The state of Hawaii includes the island of Molokai, where the Belgian missionary spent the last sixteen years of his life serving the Lord and the leper colony on the island. The feast day of the “Apostle of the Lepers” is celebrated on May 10, as it marks the day the saint arrived on Molokai: May 10, 1873.

According to a note sent to Fides by Patrick Downes, editor of the “Hawaii Catholic Herald,” the newspaper for the Diocese of Honolulu, the first feast day of the saint will be “celebrated modestly.” In the morning, beginning at 10am, “ the outdoor bronze statue of Father Damien will be the site of the now familiar ceremony of songs, prayers and lei presentations,” organized by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. It will begin with a welcome by Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona, a performance of Hawaii Ponoi performed by Maryknoll School students, and an invocation by vicar general Father Marc Alexander. The program will include a Scripture reading, a reflection by Sacred Hearts Father Herman Gomes, a hula by students from Sacred Hearts Academy, the draping of the statue with leis, the singing of “E Kamiano” and “Hawaii Aloha,” and a benediction by Sacred Hearts Father Christopher Keahi. In the evening, Bishop Larry Silva of Honolulu will celebrate the feast day Mass at 6 p.m. at the co-cathedral. The relic of St. Damien, now on display at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, will be brought to the Kapalama church for veneration that evening.

Saint Damien of Molokai, with his words and life, is an example for all missionaries and faithful. He once said: “Without the constant presence of our Divine Master upon the altar in my poor chapels, I never could have persevered casting my lot with the lepers of Molokai.” (AR) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2010)



Article sent by:
Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp
50 St Paul’s Ave
Boston, MA 02130
617-510-5409

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This blogpost is also found on A Tribute to Our Priests

Happy Feast of St. Damien of Moloka'i

Statue of St. Damien - St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa,

Photo by Esther G.

Bishop Larry Silva will celebrate the feast day Mass at 6 p.m. at the co-cathedral. The relic of St. Damien, now on display at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, will be brought to the Kapalama church for veneration that evening.

Many of the members of the choir created for the Hawaii pilgrimage to the October canonization in Rome will reassemble for the co-cathedral Mass.

Light refreshments will be served after the Mass.

Source: Hawaii Catholic Herald

Thanks Easter!