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Father Damien

• Quote: "The Blessed Sacrament is indeed the stimulus for us all, for me as it should be for you, to forsake all worldly ambitions. Without the constant presence of our Divine Master upon the altar in my poor chapels, I never could have persevered casting my lot with the afflicted of Molokai; the foreseen consequence of which begins now to appear on my skin, and is felt thoughout the body. Holy Communion being the daily bread of a priest, I feel myself happy, well pleased, and resigned in the rather exceptional circumstances in which it has pleased Divine Providence to put me."

"Father Damien was the first white worker to live permanently at Kalawo, arriving on Molokai with nothing but his breviary. While awaiting lumber to build a house, he lived under a pandanus tree by the side of St. Philomena chapel. During the day he immersed himself in work necessary for the improvement of the colony. His immediate concern of course, the reason for his placement there, was attending to the people's spiritual needs. This he accomplished by visiting them in their huts and administering the Sacraments at their deathbed.

Damien realized that before future efforts could be made to improve the lot of these luckless people, a firm spiritual foundation had to be laid. Both Catholics and non-Catholics were welcome at Mass. Knowing the Hawaiian love of ceremony, he conducted elaborate religious services. Sunday High Mass became the highlight of the week. The nuns in Honolulu sent red soutanes and lace surplices for the altar and choir boys. Damien revived interest in music and singing. Membership in the choir became a great honor for both children and adults, and choir practice frequently took place in the evenings under the trees. A band was organized, whose primitive instruments were soon replaced with better ones from Honolulu. Many religious processions and fiestas were instituted, the biggest event of the year being on the feast day or Corpus Christi. This celebration was prepared for weeks in advance. Flowers were gathered and woven into wreaths, and on the feast day, while Damien carried the Blessed Sacrament through the village, children strewed petals along the way and other parishioners joined in hymns. Damien conducted religious services with as much pomp and sacred music as possible, and by his earnest and constant preaching endeavored to win more souls to God. At the same time, he was continually at the service of all the unfortunate inmates, whatever their religion, in a variety of ways."  St. Philomena Catholic Church (Father Damien's Church) Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Molokai, Hawaii 1985 page 16.

• "Were it not for the constant presence of our Divine Master in our humble chapel, I would not have found it possible to persevere in sharing the lot of the afflicted in Molokai... The Eucharist is the bread that gives strenght... It is at once the most eloquent proof of His Love and the most powerful means of fostering His love in us. He gives Himself every day so that our hearts as burning coals may set afire the hearts of the faithful"

Prayer:

Saint Damien, brother on the journey, happy and generous missionary, who loved the Gospel more than your life, who for love of Jesus left your family, your homeland, your security, your dreams, teach us to give our lives with a joy like yours, to be in solidarity with the outcasts of the world, to celebrate and contemplate the Eucharist as the source of our commitment. Help us to love to the very end and, in the strength of the Spirit, to persevere in compassion for the poor and forgotten so that we might be good disciples of Jesus and Mary. Amen (Diocese of Honolulu)

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"He was born at Florence; and at the age of sixteen entered the order of St. Dominic. His great care was to be always employed; and therefore allowing only so much time to sleep as was necessary to recruit nature, he divided all the rest among prayer, reading, and writing. This his Christian industry was accompanied with the constant exercises of humility and mortification. Being thus distinguished by his great virtue and learning, he was called forth by the apostolic see, and obliged to undertake charge of the church of Florence. In this dignity, his table, dress, and furniture shewed a perfect spirit of poverty and simplicity. In the midst of his exterior affairs, he always preserved the same serenity of countenance, and the same peace of mind, and seemed always recollected in God. Having satisfied all the duties of a good pastor, by his wonderful zeal and charity, he died in the year 1459.

Pray for all the bishops in God's Church, that the example of this saint may be their rule. Pray for all ecclesiastics, that having undertaken a laborious charge, they may not seek rest and ease. Consider your own circumstances, and endeavour that the devil may never find you idle. Give not more time to sleep than is reasonable; and let not your inclinations be consulted, to know when it is time to rise. This seems to be a point inconsiderable, and yet very much depends upon it. For by this one may easily guess at the management of your whole life; the industry or sloth of this first act generally going through all the actions of the day. Avoid as far as is consistent with your state, all idle meetings, and dissipating company. These are the first steps to many evils. There may be pretexts enough to carry you to them; but is it not a reflection on men of sense and abilities to stand in need of such helps? How many other ways might they be better employed or diverted, would they consult better advisers than sloth and inclination? And if there happens to be some mortification in it, who can pretend to a Christian life without mortification? Pray for the grace of God and his Holy Spirit, that these may be your guides both in business and recreation." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother

Prayer:

"Pray, O holy Pontiff, for the descendants of them that were faithless to the promise sealed on the very altar on which your hands so often offered up the Sacrifice of unity and peace. Disciple of the great Dominic, inheritor of his burning zeal, protect the holy order which he founded and of which you are so bright an ornament. Show that you still love it. Give it increase and procure for its children the holiness that once worked such loveliness and fruit in the Church.