Saint Damien de Veuster

Saint Damien (1840-1889) was a priest and international missionary from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. At age 23, Damien left his homeland in Belgium and traveled to Hawaii to spread the Gospel. Once there, he ministered to the Hawaiian peoples and to the leper colony living on the Island of Molokai. Almost certainly knowing his fate, he supported the lepers in building homes, burying their dead, and caring for their medical needs. After 16 years in the mission field, he contracted the disease and passed from leprosy in 1889. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. [1] Written by Sarah Ciotti [1] “Saint Damien de Veuster,” Vatican News Services (2009). Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ. Thank you for praying with us. If you feel called, your Lenten offering helps carry this prayer to more hearts and languages. Contribute now