Looking forward to this canonization.
James A Michener mentioned Brother Damien in his book, Hawaii...
He had courage...
Yea!
That is who I chose as my confirmation Patron Saint a year ago.
Why? I can relate to the critism he got from those in power saying he was CRAZY for caring for the Lepers.
Actually his brother also a Priest was supposed to take the mission of Leper Island but was detered I think by illness.
Would have to go dig out my report I did for Adult Catechism.
So that he actually was not canonized when I chose him but I believe Father said if it was a certain time in history that a non canonized person served it was ok.
“Beatified in 1995, the news gives Stateside Catholicism its seventh product raised to the honors of the altar, and is notable on a global level given the widespread devotion to Bl Damien as unofficial patron of HIV/AIDS patients.”
Fr. Damien had leprosy. How did HIV/AIDS get into this? Are our saints now trapped into political correctness? Fr. Damien was anything but politically correct.
Mother Marianne is from Utica, NY. (Originally from Germany until age 2)
Great news as he no doubt deserves this honor.
BTW there is a great movie about his story:
Molokai: The Story Of Father Damien
http://www.amazon.com/Molokai-Father-Damien-David-Wenham/dp/B00011Y1PI
I have photos of my grandfather’s first cousin, who was so impressed with Fr. Damien, that he joined the Sacred Heart Order in Belgium so he could go to Molokai to work with the lepers. My cousin was born in Germany, and he became a Brother (not a priest), and arrived at the leper colony in 1995. He served there for 45 years, being the longest missionary on the island. Blessed Damien was already deceased when my Grandpa’s cousin arrived there. So, I have always had a soft place in my heart for Damien deVeuster.
Finally, It's Official: Molokai's Hero = Hawaii's Saint
A Parish of Lepers [Bl. Damien Joseph de Veuster of Molokai]