The Irish standard., 1897-02-20
FATHER DAMIEN.

FATHER DAMIEN.
In looking over the list Of the many
heroes who have devoted their lives and
laborg to the service Of God and their
country it is difficult to decide which
has been the noblest and the most self
sacrificing. The writer's opinion is that
good Father Damien. tue faithful friend
and advocate Oh the cast-off lepers on
the Island Of Molokai, Is the greatest
hero the world has ever known. This
illustrious priest was born at Tremeloo,
in Belgium, Jan s, 1870 He was a poor
shepherd boy who tended the Aocks on
the plains, of Belgium and was known by
the name of the little shepherd His
life was somewhat similar to that CT the
little peasant girl Of Domremy. He was
very pious in lis youth, and many times
day one might, see him on his knees III
an attitude of prayer.
"A noticeable incident in the life Of
this great martyr is this: The piOus
people of his native village were cele-
brating the holy feast OF Whitsuntide.
During the festivities the little shepherd
boy was missed, and when his parents
searched the crowded village streets
they found no trace Of him. A relative
who had noticed the great piety Of the
child went 70 seek him in the church,
where he was found. kneeling alone.
rapt in prayer.
His soul and mind We're turned heay-
onward, as flowers turn to the sun. AS
he grew to manhood his faith and love
for his Divine Redeemer became more
ardent, and his greatest desire was to
follow in the footsteps Of His Master.
Keeping this thought in view, he pre-
pared for the priesthood. After his Or
dination Father Damien selected the
lepers as his friends, because they had
none to care for them and because their
lot seemed hopeless.
On May 3, 1873, having spent the pre-
ceding night in prayer, Father Damien
set out on his perilolls voyage to carry
the lamp OF faith to the stricken lepers
of that far off isle in the Pacific, Moio-
kai. No trumpets blared, no banners
waved as he, silent and alone, went to
meet certain death. After long months
of periious days on the high seas he
Of his patron, St. Joseph. He labored
among the lepers 10 years before he
himself was taken with the loa1hsone
disease.
His Kindness to all, charity to the
needy, sympathy for the suffering and
dying and religious instructions were
the constant means he used to intro
duce moral habits among the lepers.
His sole effort was to comfort and allie
viate the sufferings Of his wretched fell
low beings.
This good priest labored among the
lepers as their pastor, doctor and car
penter. He built hospital. where he
tanderly nursed them. He not only
dressed their. wounds and carried them
WudA uel1CtAtc lCUu ulS lutd1AS SupDlle0,
but also administered to them the last
sacraments Of the dying. and then, with
his own hands. laid their bodies in the
earth. Oh, what an excellent example of
humility We can draw from this Was
this not the spirit Of hero and a
martyr? He had nc thought of personal
renown nor could he gain personal ad-
vantage. His life was living sacrifice
until God called him to his eternal re-
ward: Certainly the Father of Our
Country" was a hero. but liberty and
love Of his country urged him and many
faithful friends aided him. Ambition,
earthly glory and renown urged Ma
ppleon TO perform daring and brilliant
Christian love alone animated /
ISth4I l1aulies aadg gave him sttrs