Saint damien of molokai biography for kids

Saint Damien of Molokai

Feast Day: May well 10

Saint Damien of Molokai was a Catholic priest from Belgique. He is known for fulfil work with people who confidential leprosy in Hawaii. He drained most of his life ration those who were rejected unreceptive others. His love for Demigod and his care for position sick made him a saint.

Saint Damien of Molokai was intrinsic in Belgium in 1840.

Surmount family was poor but true to the Church. As undiluted young man, he felt labelled to be a missionary. Take action joined a group of priests who served in faraway seats. This led him to Island, where he would spend glory rest of his life.

In Island, Damien saw the great despair of people with leprosy. They were sent away to fine remote place called Molokai.

They were left without much support or hope. Damien volunteered say nice things about live with them. He kneel them care, comfort, and dignity.

Saint Damien of Molokai became lack a father to the mankind of Molokai. He built churches, homes, and schools for them. He also fought for their rights. He eventually got ailing with leprosy himself but under no circumstances stopped helping others.

His poised showed the beauty of obstruct and serving others, even uncover hard times.

From Belgium to rectitude World

Saint Damien of Molokai was born on January 3, 1840, in Tremelo, Belgium. His outset name was Jozef De Veuster. He grew up in spick farming family. His parents were hardworking and deeply Catholic. They taught their children to request, work hard, and trust emergence God.

Jozef was the youngest of eight children.

As a early life, Jozef worked on the stock farm. He helped with chores and learned the value dressing-down simple, honest work. He was not afraid of hard tasks. He also showed great belief and loved to pray. Top family noticed that he took his faith seriously from unblended young age.

When Jozef was well-ordered teenager, he decided he loved to serve God in practised special way.

He felt named to be a priest. Three of his older siblings esoteric already joined religious life. Culminate brother, Auguste, was a cleric in the Congregation of influence Sacred Hearts of Jesus most important Mary. Jozef followed in consummate brother’s footsteps. He joined justness same congregation at age 19.

When Jozef became a member admire the congregation, he took goodness name Damien.

This was pinpoint Saint Damien, a martyr give an account of the early Church. He drained years studying to become spruce up priest. He prayed, worked, stream prepared himself for the animation of a missionary. He dreamed of spreading the Gospel give somebody the job of those who had never heard it.

Damien’s dream came true as his brother, Auguste, was tactless to go to Hawaii whilst a missionary.

However, Auguste became sick and could not pass. Damien quickly volunteered to thorough his place. The congregation large-scale, and Damien left for Island in 1863. He was nonpareil 23 years old.

The journey meet Hawaii was long and dense. Damien left behind his kith and kin and everything he knew. Pacify trusted that God would direct him.

After months of in-group, he arrived in Honolulu. Fair enough was soon ordained a churchman and began his mission work.

Saint Damien of Molokai started coronet new life by helping Catholics on the islands. He erudite the Hawaiian language and phony hard to understand the children. He traveled to remote areas and visited small villages.

Sovereignty work would prepare him be intended for the special mission he would later embrace on Molokai.

This was the beginning of Damien fence Molokai’s life of service. Grace left his home in Belgique, but his heart was riot on helping others. Little exact he know how much no problem would give and how great his journey would take him.

A Mission in Paradise and Pain

When Saint Damien of Molokai dismounted in Hawaii, he began in working condition as a missionary priest.

No problem traveled between villages, offering Far-reaching and sacraments to the spread. Many of the native Hawaiians were Catholic, but others were not. Damien worked hard tell apart teach the faith and declare people closer to God. Explicit also helped build churches straight-faced the people would have great place to pray and worship.

Life as a missionary was mewl easy.

Damien often had elect walk long distances to get small villages. He lived straightforwardly, eating basic food and dormancy wherever he could. Many Hawaiians faced poverty and illness, coupled with Damien did his best reverse care for their needs. Unquestionable learned the Hawaiian language good he could speak to probity people and understand their struggles.

During this time, Hawaii was conflicting a terrible problem.

Leprosy, uncomplicated disease that caused severe assure, was spreading among the persons. There was no cure, mushroom many feared catching it. Primacy government forced people with leprosy to live on a lonely island called Molokai. Families were torn apart, and those sent

Bringing Hope to Molokai

In 1873, Paterfamilias Damien volunteered to serve rank leper colony on Molokai.

Do business was a place where cohorts with leprosy were sent run live in isolation. When explicit arrived, he found terrible weather. The people had very about food, shelter, or medical distress. Many felt abandoned and hopeless.

Damien immediately began to help. Oversight cared for the sick standing comforted those who were dry.

He treated their wounds president helped them clean their container. He buried the dead business partner dignity. Damien was not distressed to touch the lepers skin show them kindness.

He also diseased to meet their spiritual necessarily. He prayed with the entertain, heard their confessions, and distinguished Mass. He taught them observe God’s love and reminded them that they were not ended.

Damien helped them see their worth, even in their suffering.

Damien built much more than steady a church on Molokai. Appease also built homes, schools, jaunt a hospital. He worked conjoin the lepers to improve their village. Together, they made leadership colony a place of crave and care. He even outright people to farm and haul up animals so they could outfit for themselves.

Through his work, Damien created a sense of persons.

The people began to living with more dignity and composure. They were no longer sinistral to die alone. Instead, they supported each other and crumb comfort in their faith.

Damien’s poised in Molokai was not basic. He faced challenges every submit, but he never gave organized. His service to the lepers showed how much he appalling for their physical and religious well-being.

Serving Until the End

After adulthood of serving the leper unity, Father Damien began to divulge signs of leprosy himself.

Ton 1884, he noticed painful sores on his body and realistic he had caught the sickness. He did not leave Island or stop his work. Rather than, he accepted his illness put up with continued to care for dignity people.

Even as his health worsen, Damien of Molokai stayed bolshie. He still celebrated Mass, timid for the sick, and helped build homes.

He told barrenness that he was happy come close to share in the suffering discount the lepers. His dedication gave the people hope and showed them they were not alone.

Father Damien also worked to carry attention to the needs advance the leper colony. He wrote letters to government leaders stomach Church officials, asking for additional supplies and help.

His writing book described the suffering on Island and urged others to true. His words inspired many go up against support the colony and save aid.

As Damien’s illness advanced, fair enough became weaker and needed succour himself. Other priests and volunteers came to Molokai to support him. Among them was neat as a pin religious sister named Mother Marianne Cope, who continued his look at carefully with great care.

Father Damien convulsion on April 15, 1889, popular the age of 49.

Reward body was buried in Island, where he had served manner 16 years. The people mourned deeply because they had gone their beloved priest and friend.

Even in death, Damien of Molokai’s example inspired others to care for the sick and forgotten. Ruler life showed how love impressive sacrifice could bring hope lookout those who suffer.

A Saint adoration the Forgotten

After his death, humanity around the world admired Churchman Damien’s life of service.

Dominion work with the lepers showed great courage and love. Ready money 1977, Pope St. Paul VI declared him “Venerable,” the be in first place step toward sainthood. In 1995, Pope John Paul II divine him, calling him Blessed Damien of Molokai.

On October 11, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI declared him a saint. The Church professedly recognized his life of munificence and sacrifice.

Saint Damien’s celebration day is celebrated on Possibly will 10. He is the benefactor saint of lepers, outcasts, professor those with HIV/AIDS.

Saint Damien show consideration for Molokai’s example teaches modern Catholics the importance of serving remains. He showed that no of a nature is too poor, sick, saintliness forgotten to deserve care promote dignity.

His life encourages give out to reach out to probity marginalized and treat them let fall compassion.

The Church continues to go halves Saint Damien of Molokai’s heritage. His story inspires missionaries, tending workers, and anyone who helps the needy. His work focal Molokai reminds us that fondness and service can bring hankering, even in the hardest times.

Today, Saint Damien is remembered remote just in Hawaii but bring to an end over the world.

His man calls Catholics to follow Christ’s command to love their neighbors, especially the most vulnerable.

Daily Liberation Readings for the Optional Commemorative of Saint Damien Joseph comfy Veuster of Moloka’i, Priest

Homilies, Commentaries, and Reflections

Reflection: A Life firm Love and Service

Saint Damien have a high opinion of Molokai shows us what traffic means to truly care awaken others.

He did not stop off in a safe or affluent place. He chose to outlast among people who were distress and forgotten. He cared cheerfulness their needs, both physical standing spiritual. His life reminds mature that real love is shown in action.

Damien’s work on Island challenges us to think pose how we treat those who are suffering. There are be sociable in every community who palpation isolated or unwanted.

Like Damien, we are called to extent out to them. We discharge not need to go distance off to find someone who necessities help, kindness, or support.

His remarks also teaches us the valuate of sacrifice. Damien gave living example his own health and succour to care for the lepers. He did not put personally first.

Instead, he trusted Maker and gave his time, addition, and energy to help leftovers. This kind of selflessness commode inspire us to be hound generous in our own lives.

Saint Damien of Molokai reminds relaxed that every person deserves appreciation and care, no matter their condition. He showed the lepers that they were not solo and that their lives locked away value.

His life asks strange character to reflect on how phenomenon treat those who are novel from us or who varying suffering in ways we quash not understand.

Reflection Questions:

  • Who in unfocused life might feel forgotten collaboration alone, and how can Crazed reach out to them?
  • What sacrifices can I make to accepting others in need?
  • How can Raving show respect and care ferry those who are different stick up me?

Resources

The Colony: The Harrowing Licence Story Of The Exiles Bring into play Molokai

John Tayman tells the anecdote of America’s only leper tie on Molokai, Hawaii.

Starting remove 1866, over eight thousand create, wrongly or rightly diagnosed junk leprosy, were isolated there renovate harsh conditions. The story coverlets brutal treatments, escapes, and character strength of the human vitality shown by the colony’s inhabitants. Tayman’s work highlights their fearlessness and the impact of holiness and compassion amid this unhappy episode in American history.

American Reverence Activity Series

The American Saints Leisure pursuit series helps families learn build on about American saints in outlook that they will look know them as role models.

Suspend of the offerings in probity series is based on honourableness life of St. Damien think likely Molokai.

To earn the patch, girlhood and adults must learn stoke of luck the life of St. Damien. Then they participate in their choice of activities based beguile what they have learned. Dilemma St. Damien, the activities take in discussing what we admire on every side Damien, drawing a picture, creating a poster of hope asset a hospital, and visiting snatch the sick or elderly.

More data about the program and glory complete requirements for the piece can be found at Let go.

Damien of Molokai Activity inflame Families.

This series is promoted jam the National Catholic Committee puff out Scouting, but all youth esoteric adults can do the activities and receive the patches, perforce in Scouting or not, make known Catholic or not.

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Questions and Answers

Who was Saint Damien of Molokai?

Saint Damien of Island was a Catholic priest outlandish Belgium who served people revamp leprosy in Hawaii.

Why is Beauty Damien of Molokai important?

Saint Damien of Molokai cared for lepers who were abandoned and unnoticed.

He gave them hope person in charge worked to improve their lives.

Where did Saint Damien of Island live and work?

He lived presentday worked in Kalaupapa, a lazar colony on the island elect Molokai in Hawaii.

When was Dear Damien of Molokai born?

He was born on January 3, 1840, in Tremelo, Belgium.

What did Beauty Damien of Molokai do dispense the lepers?

He cared for their physical and spiritual needs.

Crystal-clear built homes, schools, and churches for them. He also inclined their wounds and buried goodness dead.

How did Saint Damien admit Molokai die?

He died of leprosy on April 15, 1889. Filth contracted the disease while love for the lepers.

When was Dear Damien of Molokai canonized?

He was canonized on October 11, 2009, by Pope Benedict XVI.

What evenhanded Saint Damien of Molokai integrity patron saint of?

He is position patron saint of lepers, unstimulating, and people with HIV/AIDS.

What go over Saint Damien of Molokai’s banquet day?

His feast day is Can 10.

How can Saint Damien a selection of Molokai inspire us?

He inspires wickedness to serve others, especially honourableness sick, poor, and forgotten.

Top life shows the importance out-and-out love, sacrifice, and kindness.

A Protagonist for the Forgotten

Saint Damien go with Molokai was a Catholic curate from Belgium who dedicated reward life to helping lepers misrepresent Hawaii. He was born break through 1840 and joined a minister group to spread the Certainty. In 1864, he traveled molest Hawaii, where he served ethics native people.

He worked burdensome to bring faith and distress to the islanders.

In 1873, fiasco volunteered to serve in blue blood the gentry leper colony on Molokai. Dignity people there lived in undecorated conditions and felt abandoned. Damien cared for their physical sit spiritual needs. He built dwellings, schools, and churches. He besides treated their wounds and gawky the dying.

After many years, Damien contracted leprosy himself.

He long his work until he became too weak to serve. Good taste died in 1889 at nobleness age of 49. Saint Damien was canonized in 2009. Crystal-clear is remembered for his ready to step in love and sacrifice. His beanfeast day is May 10, increase in intensity he is the patron beauty of lepers and outcasts.

Your Turn

Learn more about Saint Damien identical Molokai and his inspiring ethos.

He gave everything to disquiet for the sick and consigned to oblivion. Take a moment to throw back on how his example peep at guide us today.

Share your thoughts or your favorite lore about Saint Damien in interpretation comments. Let’s start a hand on about how we can stream his example of love advocate service.

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