The Father Damien statue sits in front of the State Capitol Building in Honolulu, Hawaii. The one thing that I have always remembered from stories in my younger years is that Father Damien helped the people on the island of Molokai who suffered from Hansen's Disease (Leprosy).
This statue was dedicated to Father Damien and in memory of the 7,200 victims of Hansen's Disease (and their helpers) who died in remote Kalawao and Kaupapa, land of the exiled. Their courage and compassion spared others from their own fate ....is what reads at the base of the statue.
Following is a little history of Father Damien:
- He was born to a farmer's son at Tremeloo, Belgium as Jozef de Veuster.
- Damien joined the Missionary Congregation of the Sacred Hearts on Jnauary 3, 1840.
- He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at the Cathedral of Our Lady Of Peace in Honolulu in 1864.
- He volunteered to serve alone at the leprosy settlement on the island of Molokai in 1875.
- He lived and worked among the leprosy victims of all faiths and races for 16 years.
- He died on April 15, 1889 among his people of leprosy.
- He was 'beautified' (3rd of 4 steps to canonization and given the title 'blessed) by Pope John Paul II in 1995.
- He is expected to become one of the first saints of the Roman Catholic Church in Hawaii.
Leprosy is a disease caused by a bacterium that causes lesions on the exterior of the body but leprosy does progress if not treated. It can cause permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes and though many believe it causes body parts to fall of it actually does not.
Father Damien gave of himself to help these victims and minister to their doomed bodies. On the base of the statue it also states that: by his presence it gave them reassurance that they so deperately needed that they had not been forsaken by either God or by men.
Sculptress "Marisol Escobar" had worked from photographs of the dying priest, saw in Damien 'the mystery of physical transformation - as if he had become what he wanted to become.' ... (words on the base of the statue)
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© 2008 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, All rights reserved
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Thats an amazing story - I remember went I went to Hawaii my first time 33 years ago....reading and hearing the story - and I have a photo of myself in front of that statue! The story has always stayed with me! hmmm looking at the photo- i'm not sure that is the orignal statue - the granite looks kind of new!
Sally- My mother told me all the stories about Molokai and the leprosy. James Michener also writes about it in his book, Hawaii. And then there is the story of Ben Hur set in Israel and his sister had leprocy. I think it is pretty much eradicated now. My mother had a heart for those that suffered and were left like they had rabies and then she told me the stories of a wife who gets leprocy and hides her hands so no one will find out because they will take her away from her family. Oh I better stop, I am getting sad thinking about her stories.
Morning Sally,
What a moving story and lesson in your Island history. Thank you for sharing.
Sally, I loved seeing the statue and reading the story, what a very special person he was. I can't imagine many people would have chosen to live alone among those with that dreaded disease.
Sally, Hawaii is full of rich history and you do a great job of sharing it here on ActiveRain with us.
Hi Sally - I missed this statue when I visited. Thanks for telling the story of Father Damien and shedding some light on this misunderstood disease.
Have a great week!
Woo Hoo! First allow me to thank you for your wonderful friendship and for always being there.
This is a neat story and one that many are proabably oblivious to. Your rich Hawaiian history is such a pleasure to read and to learn about. One day , when I return to Hawaii, I will feel like a freegin genius, walking and talking about things many of the locals just take for granted.
Sally,you always provide great inspiration and are a real joy to have in my life!
Sally - Great reminder of something we should all practice daily - helping those less fortunate than we are!
Liz: Maybe they cleaned it! lol!
Katerina: They were literally in the land of the exiled. It's the same with any disease...if they are not educated they don't know.
Thanks George!...trying to catch up after a busy week here...I'm so glad to see you here too!
Thanks Ann...when people come to Hawaii...they'll get some rich history....:)
hi William!!!! I'm so happy to see you out and about again! I'm waiting for you guys to come visit you know :)
B & B: Helping others less fortunate is a good thing....we surely will get a reward ..inside from doing so :)
Sally- Great story thank s for sharing it...I love to learn local history and stories :) Is Liz right,...is that a newer Statue or just a cleaned up one?
Sally,
I've read and heard many stories of Father Damien...He died of leprosy, making him a true Christian, willing to give his life for the love of others!!! Thanks, Fran