The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-04-15
OF THE LATE F. DAMIEN.
THIS Is THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE
PRIESTS DEATH, IN 1889.
dwelling of a Monument by His Coun.
trymen.-An Account Translated
For the "star."

Today is the anniversary of the death
at Molokai, April 10, 1889, of the Rev.
Joseph De Venster, Father Damien, of
the congregation of Sacred Heart, who
died the martyrs death by leprosy, sur
rendering his life in the cause of his
fellow sufferers after passing sixteen
years faithfully devoted to their service
and over thirty years in the Hawaiian
islands. Born at Tremoloo. near Lou
vain, in 1910, and received into the
brotherhood at the Cathedral city of
Louvain, it was but natural for the
Belgian nation to select that city as the
site for ratification of the endorse
ment of the generous self sacrifice he
had made which had already been to an
extent extended to him by England and
the co-laborers of his religion. To the
courtesy of Mr.. Henri Jalhay, Consul
of the Republic of Colombia. The STAR
is indebted for 10 column supplement
of the "Louvain Gazette" con aiming a
full account of the magnificent yet
solemn ceremonies attending the in
auguration of Constantine bronze
grand monument to the hero. martyr.
The celebration commenced with u
mense congregation and was conducted
10y Father Damien's brother Rev. Father
Pamphile, assisted by Cardinal Goosens,
Archbishop of Maines. Gouuod's
beautiful mass of st. Cecilia was rend-
cred to perfection.
In attendance were the Belgian min
listers of State; relatives of Father
Damien; the superior general of the
Sacred Heart; notable clerics and pro-
fessors of the University of Louvain of
which Damien was graduate. Diplo-
matte and Consular officials, among
them Sir F. r. Plunkett, the British
Minister: Senators and deputies and
municipal officers from all parts of the
ate; the special representatives of the
Hawaiian Government: the national
monument Committees; the leading
societies. secret, beneficial, Collegiate
and political whose flags and emblems
grouped around the main altar making
most imposing display.
At the conclusion of the functions the
procession marched to Saint Donat's
park where the ceremony of unveiling
the monument and its donation to the
City of Loudain took place. The orator
of the occasion on behalf to the com
mittee paid an eloquent eulogy of the
life deeds of Father Damien and ended
with the cry of Immortal glory to
Father Damien" which was caught up
and re.echoed by the immense multi
tude. The Belgian national anthem con
cluded the interesting act of donation
and acceptance of the gift and the vast
concourse proceeded to the university.
Here the meeting held IN the superb
picture gallery was presided over by the
l. l. ,f Nal
were delivered by Senator Descampo,
President of the committee to pay the
nations homage to Father Damien,
Nous, igneur Abbeloos, Chief Rector;
Jules de Burlet, Minister of the In.
terror and Public Instruction and Presi
dent of the Council and the Archbishop
of Malines.
A telegram from HislHoliness Pope
Leo XIII was received through Cardinal
Rampolla conveying an Apostolic bene-
diction to all who assisted in the inau-
I guration ceremonies of the monument
in honor of their heroic compatriot"
the belgian Apostle of Molokai."
From the orations, want of space allow
| but few extracts to be taken. Senator
Descampo said:
Father Damien! No one sought less
than he did the admiration of men.
By him to do good was valued higher
| than glory. 1t was in the shadow and
silence, hidden on distant island of
the Pacific that he sought to accomplish
his arduous task. He called himself "a
poor priest, who discharged his simple
duty" Todwell unknown, forgotten did
he not in effect withdraw himself from
the ranks of the Iiving?And yet the whole
world retains his name. Celebrating the
sublimity of his self sacrifice, his re-
nown has elevated him to the highest
degree of public recognition. 1t is
grand when such men as he seek recon-
pense only from their God" He then
paid high compliment to England for
having forestaled Belgium in the recog-
milton of the merits of the "hero of
Molokai' and quoted freely the en-
coniums of the leading English press of
all political and religious opinions and
creeds, to prove the universal accord of
praise awarded TO Father Damien for
his services in the cause of the kindly
treatment of lepers who had clothed
with honor those formerly clad in
ignomy, and to show that how few
there are who know what unknown
good is being quietly wrought among
u.s. by men whose lives are rejected but
whose deaths make them famous.
He then proceeded to wildly sketch
the nature of the terrible and mysteri-
GUS malady, gave its history in the
Hawaiian Islands, and biography of
Father Damien. In this he relates that
one day physician at Molokai said to
the martyr-priest. ''Father, it is your
turn, you are struck with it." 81 wait
ed for it" was the reply without his
serenity of soul being for one instant
troubled by his revelation. AS ht
wrote. "Since l have no longer any
doubt as to the character of my malady
feel myself very calm, resigned ano
happier than ever in the midst of my
leprous people,"