, 1889-05-30
FATHER DAMIEN.
HE SPENDS SIXTEEN YEARS AMONG
THE LEPE2s.
The Island OF MoIokai--Amopg NJ
tho Lepers.

fNner Damlen DtVenster, known 10 tue
whole Christian world as Father Damien,
died at Molokai. on Monday April Is, at
3 o'clock in the morning. As soon as life
was extinct the Franciscan Sisters, who
have charge of the wives and children of
the lepers, took charge of the remains.
which were clad in priestly vestments and
left TO their last repose in coffin lined
with white silk
Requiem mass was held on the follow
ing day by the Rev. F. Wendelip. tn e
resident missionary of Heeia, in presence
of a vast thronR of mourning epers, to
whom he preached most touching ser
mon from the text: "The Good Shepherd
Layeth Down His Life for His Sheep"
At the conclusion of the last sad rites the
remains were carried by eight white
lepers to vault prepared at the foot of
the laubala tree. which sheltered Father
Damien form during the 6rst weeks OF
his residence in Molokai. This was done
at the dying request of the martyr Of
charity.
Father Damien was born in Tremoloo,
Belgium, January 3, 1S40. His
youth was passed in acquir-
ing knowledge, but he wisely
prized a knowledge of God. When the
d ecessed martyr reached his oath year he
a. studying theology at the university
in company with his eldest brother. both
having affiliated themselves with the or
der of missionary priests. known as the
Society of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and
Mary, whose members have charge of
missions on almost every inhabited island
in the Pacific ocean.
Father Damien's brother was q subject
OF the bishop Of Honolulu. who requested
him to 60 out to his future field of labor
at the conclusion Of his studies. but when
the hour for departure came, his brother
was seriously i'll with typhoid fever, and
then occurred Father Damien's frat act of
abneg"tion, ny Offering 10 take his broth.
er's place. sooner than cause delay in fur.
nishing Christian missionary for that
distant portion of the Lords vineyard.
March l9. 1864, ana after
being ordained by Bishop Maiaret
he was sent as missionary 10
Puma. Hawai-. and was subsequently
transferred to Kohals, and while there he
accidently learned that a priest was need
ed to attend to the lppers on the Island of
Molokai. and Father Damien volunteered
to visit them. On arriving at the island
the young and jealous priest was surprised
to lind fock of neai ly 500 Catholic lepers
without "A shepherd. The unfortunate
people were dying ut the rate OF fifty a
month. He at once entered upon hi mis-.
sionary work without d roof 20 cover hi
or place to lay his head For many
long months his shelter by day was tree
beneath whose friendly branches he re.
posed at night, when not engaged in con.
soling some dying ieper.
Father Damien WAS not only the frat
resident missionary at Molokai, but he
was the architect and the builder of the
chapel, the houses of the lepers. and the
school houses wherin the children are edu.
Gated. Thus he never was for single
moment idle
His only friends were lepers aud during
the daytime his humble habitaton was
the home Of me OF the most afflicted
He WAS instantly teaching them the use
Of tools, and worked among them when
making any improvement. He had to
nurse the sick. console the dying and
bury the dead. Such hourly contact with
leprous people and handling the tools
used by them could have but one result.
Father Damien became afflicted with
the disease about two years ago, but such
a disaster was no hindrance to this true
and noble Christian. He soon felt. how.
ever, the death grasp of lep, osy tearing at
his vitals, and he calmly resigned himself
to bis fate and consoled himself by the
work he bad performed and finally passed
away after having passed sixteen years
among the lepers.