Upcoming Events

The ‘Damien’ Play

Sunday, March 2 at 7:30pm in the Cathedral

Everyone is invited to discover the powerful true story of how a celebrating Belgian priest ministered to the needs of thousands of marginalized, abandoned men, women and children with incurable and thought-to-be highly contagious people and living in exile. As part of our 175th anniversary celebrations, Chicago sports icon Wayne Messmer will transform into the title role of “Damien” in a one-man play by Aldyth Morris on Sunday, March 2 at 7:30pm in the Cathedral.

Reserve Your Tickets Today!

Tickets are free, but need to be reserved – just CLICK HERE.

Preferred, reserved seating is available for $15 and includes a pre-play light dinner and refreshments. This reception starts after the 5:15pm Sunday Mass and runs until the play begins at 7:30pm. Reception attendees will be admitted through a separate door. Special thanks to our Knights of Columbus for sponsoring the play and the Daughters of Isabella for sponsoring the pre-play reception. CLICK HERE to reserve tickets for Pre-Performance Reception and Reserved Seating.

For more information, email Deacon Dan Welter at dwelter@holynamecathedral.org.

Who was St. Damien?

The man who would become St. Damien of Molokai was born in rural Belgium on January 3, 1840. His name was Jozef De Veuster, and he was the youngest of seven children. Growing up on the farm, Jozef was prepared to take over for his family, but he did not want the responsibility. Instead, he followed his older brother and two sisters, who took religious vows. Jozef attended school until he turned 13 when his family needed his help on their farm full-time. He aided his family until he was old enough to enter the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. As part of his commitment to the religious order, he took the new name of Damien after a sixth-century martyr, a common practice that symbolizes a new life and dedication to the faith.

In 1864, Damien’s brother, who was also in the same religious order, was ordered to Hawaii. But his brother became ill, so Br. Damien, in a selfless act of love, offered to go in his brother’s place. The brothers worried that Br. Damien was too uneducated to become a priest, although he was not considered unintelligent. Br. Damien demonstrated his ability by quickly learning Latin from his brother. He was also devoted to prayer, Br. Damien prayed daily before an icon of Saint Francis Xavier that he would be sent on the mission. Despite these challenges, his religious brothers agreed to send him and have him ordained.

Br. Damien arrived in Hawaii in March 1864 and was ordained as a priest on the Big Island of Hawaii two months later. He worked on the island for nine years as a priest, leading a meaningful yet undistinguished life. In 1866, Hawaii established a leper colony on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the island of Molokai. It was still mistakenly believed that leprosy was highly contagious. This belief resulted in the forced quarantine of leprosy patients. These people still needed spiritual and medical care, so Fr. Damien discerned his call to serve them. In 1873, Fr. Damien made the trip to care for these people in their colony.

Upon arrival, he found the colony was poorly maintained by those who were supposed to be in charge. Anarchy reigned among the people living there. Many patients required treatment but had nobody to care for them. Other patients took to drinking and became severe alcoholics. Every kind of immorality and misbehavior was on display in the lawless colony. There was no law or order.

Fr. Damien realized the people needed leadership, so he provided it. He asked people to build houses, schools, and the parish church, St. Philomena. The church still stands today. The sick were cared for, and the dead were buried. Order and routine made the colony livable. Fr. Damien personally provided much of the care the people needed.

He was supposed to work only in the colony for a time, and then he would be replaced by one of three other volunteers. But the leper colony was to become his permanent home. After working with the people for a time, Fr. Damien grew attached to the people and his work. He asked permission to serve at the colony. His request was granted.

Leprosy is not as contagious as most people of the period assumed. However, five percent of the human population is susceptible. The disease can also take several years to show symptoms. Fr. Damien became one of those people. He contracted leprosy in 1885, after several years of work.

He realized he had the disease when he placed his foot into scalding water by accident but felt no pain. This inadvertent way was common when people discovered they were infected. Leprosy attacks nerve endings, and a victim may hurt themselves but not feel any pain.

Fr. Damien continued his work despite his illness, which slowly took over his body. He derived strength from prayer and devotion, often going to the cemetery to pray the Rosary or spending time in the presence of the Eucharist. “It is at the foot of the altar that we find the strength we need in our isolation,” he wrote.

By all accounts, Fr. Damien was courageous, headstrong, and resilient. His toughness served to inspire others. He was reportedly a happy man, a common phenomenon for those who pray and work hard to serve others and the Lord.

After sixteen years of selfless service in the colony, Fr. Damien succumbed to leprosy on April 15, 1889. His legacy, however, lives on. His work, his devotion, and his sacrifice continue to inspire and guide those who follow in his footsteps. His impact is immeasurable, his memory eternal.

On May 10, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Damien, a day of reverence and honor for his life and his contributions. Pope John Paul II beatified him in Brussels, Belgium, on June 4, 1995. Pope Benedict XVI confirmed his sainthood on October 11, 2009.

The day of his passing, April 15, is a minor statewide holiday in Hawaii.

Saint Damien is the patron saint of people suffering from leprosy.

Source: Catholic Online – Saints and Angels