Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-09-19
SEEK TO BEATTY
FATHER DAMIEN
Priest Who Established Holy
Name Society in Leper COL
ony May Be Honored.

Father Damien, the hero priest of
the leper colony on the island of
Molokai. was an enthusiastic Holy
Name man. and today there is
thriving branch of the society among
the lepers. Steps have been taken at
Rome for the Qualification of this
martyr priest.
Anthony Matre. K. S. G.. pays the
following tribute to the celebrated
priest:
BE a Big Brother: help those who
hunger for human sympathy; remem-
Der, what you do unto these, you do
unto Me-
Similar words to these were spok-
en- about so years ago by poor
Flemish peasant whose hands were
hardened with toll, a man poorly clad,
ignorant in the eyes of the world
but rich in divine force, which found
its fruition in deeds of personal
service. This man possessed faith
that moved mountains. This Big
Brother and lover of the Holy Name
gave to the world an example of ex-
traordinary heroism such as is known
only in the Catholic Church. His
name is Damien de Veuster, lovingly
called the Apostle of the Lepers.'
Born in 1910.
Damien de Veuster was born in
Tremeloo, Belgium, January 3, 1870.
He was a lively and cheerful boy who
loved boys games and athletic exer-
cises. At the age of IS. while attend
ing mission, he made resolution to
join the religious state. Accordingly
he Joined the Congregation of the
Sacred Hearts Of Jesus and Mary.
commonly called the Picpus Society.
of which his brother, Pamphile, was a
member.
In 1863. taking the place Of his
brother, who was ILL., he went with
band of missionaries to the Sandwich
Islands, where he was later ordained
priest. When leprosy broke out in
the Sandwich Islands the government
was compelled to segregate the lep-
ers. and banished all those afflicted
to the Island of Molokai, which then
received the name of Leper Island. a
name that blings to it today.
Deeply affected by the sufferings
of the lepers, he asked permission
from his bishop to serve those unfor-
tunate outcasts in Molokai. PERMITS
sion was granted. and Damien arrived
in the island of dread and death on
May 10. 1873. He found there about
1000 hopeless leper exiles on the
brink of despair, whose bodies were
retting away and from which ema-
mated smell as that of the grave.
He mfnistered to these people and
washed and bound up their wounds.
He performed for these lepers the
meanest service. He was their ply
stefan, priest, big brother. judge, car
penter school teacher and grave dig
ger. He helped to build for the lep-
erS over 300 houses. and made over
1900 collins. He made those work
who were able TO do so. and brought
about many reforms. In short, the
noble priest transformed the condi
tions in the leper colony.
The world at large soon began to
admire the heroic work of Father
Damien. When an Anglican minister
wrote to him and asked him what
was the secret of strength for the
heroic work he was doing. Father
Damien replied: The continual pres
ence OF Jesus in the blessed saCra-
ment and the daily reception of the
holy eucharist give me strength to en-
dure.'
MOlokai's Holy Name Society.
After IL years Of service in the
leper island he contracted the dis
ease, and after four years of suffer-
ing this hero and martyr of charity
died April Is. 1889. His splendid work
is being continued by Father Martin
and Brother Joseph Dutton. and a
Holy Name Society was formed in
1919 in Molokai which numbers about
100 members and whose officers are
the Big Brothers of the society in
that dismal island.
Steps for the qualification of F'a
Their Damien have been taken by
Rome. The writer of these lines is
the proud possessor of Father Dami
ems crucifix, which will, no doubt.
become one of the most cherished
relics of the leper priest in the United
States after this heroic Holy Name
man has been raised to the dignity
of the altar"