When my husband and I traveled to Hawaii on our honeymoon twelve years ago, we fell in love with the islands. The beauty of the warm waters and the swaying palm trees was imprinted on our hearts. We’ve had the privilege of being able to visit what we call God’s Paradise on Earth several times throughout our marriage. On one of those trips, we visited this museum and learned about the incredible life and ministry of Saint Damien of Molokai.
Exile Island
Father Damien was a Belgian priest and missionary who dedicated his life to serving the individuals afflicted with leprosy in the Hawaiian Islands. At the time, those suffering from leprosy were forcibly sent to the isolated settlement of Kalaupapa on the small island of Molokai. They were exiled there, separated from society, due to fear and stigma of the disease. The living conditions in Kalaupapa were harsh and dire, and they were left there to fend for themselves.
From Belgium to Hawaii
In 1864, Father Damien volunteered to live on this island and devoted the rest of his life to serving the lepers. He vastly improved the physical conditions and the spiritual lives of the people in Kalaupapa. He built homes, organized schools, provided medical care, and shared the Catholic faith. He inspired the people to dedicate their lives to Christ and the Catholic Church.
Becoming a Leper
Father Damien ended up contracting leprosy himself but chose to embrace the sufferings of the disease until he died in 1889. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. He is celebrated as a model of selfless devotion and is remembered for his extraordinary compassion and dedication to the marginalized people of Hawaii. He also became a model of Christ through these three specific aspects that still impact the Hawaiian islands and the greater Church:
1) Immersing Himself Among the Outcast
In His ministry during His earthly life, Christ reached out to those who were marginalized and exiled because they were not seen as worthy to be in the Jewish temple. Similarly, the lepers in Hawaii, young and old, were exiled to Molokai to live out the rest of their lives in isolation. Father Damien’s choice to be on the island and fully immerse himself in their community showed his ability to understand and empathize with the lepers. He was willing to break social barriers and offer them a sense of dignity, hope, and acceptance.
2) Caring for the Whole Person
Father Damien’s comprehensive approach to his ministry meant that he tended to the whole person. He provided for their physical needs by creating an infrastructure in the Kalaupapa settlement that significantly improved their quality of life. This allowed the lepers to live in an environment that was worthy of the dignity of the human person. He also provided pastoral care, spiritual support, and the Sacraments of the Church to meet the spiritual needs of the people.
Likewise, Christ demonstrated a holistic approach by providing both physical and spiritual nourishment. Caring for the body was an integral part of His ministry. He physically touched and healed the sick, showing compassion for physical suffering. He also showed empathy and understanding to those who sought comfort and forgiveness. He provided spiritual guidance and teachings that pointed to a deeper understanding of the Father and a life rooted in faith. By mirroring Christ’s approach, Father Damien embodied a way of life that cared for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
3) Accepting Suffering
Despite the contagious nature of leprosy, Father Damien chose to stay in Molokai and live among the people, tending to their wounds and breaking bread with them. It came at great personal cost. He sacrificed his own health and well-being by eventually becoming one of the lepers. He imitated the love and compassion of Christ for humanity. Christ chose to be with us, to live among us, and to die for us. Our sins plague us like the sores of leprosy and yet, He takes those sins upon Himself. And while Christ was like man in every way except sin, He suffered the consequences of our sins because of His love for us.
A Little Piece of Home
After learning about the life and work of Father Damien, my husband and I were deeply inspired. My husband even had the wonderful opportunity to visit the island of Molokai and tour the Kalaupapa settlement. We decided to buy a little icon of Saint Damien along with a crucifix made of shells found on the beaches of Hawaii. When we got home, we nailed that crucifix over our front door and placed the icon on the threshold as a reminder to be an example of Christ to the marginalized, as Father Damien had done. It also reminded us of our love for Hawaii every time we walked through that door.
Several months later, we noticed a pile of sand collecting on top of Father Damien. We realized that every time the front door shut, it shook the sand from the shells on the crucifix hanging above our icon. And over time, a tiny mountain of sand lay on top of Father Damien's hat! It was as if he wanted to be back in the sands of Hawaii, where he called his home. It was as if he was reminding us of his love for the islands, and especially of the people.
On His Feast Day
On today’s feast of Saint Damien of Molokai, may we look to his example of sacrificial love. Let us challenge ourselves to go beyond our comfort zones to serve those in need.
How might Saint Damien’s example inspire you to show love and empathy toward others? What aspect of his ministry resonates with you? What is one way you can show compassion for someone who is considered marginalized?
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