St Damian of Molokai

Damien was born Jeff de Veuster; he was known for being a very kind and generous boy. Both he and his brother decided to become priests, because they wanted to be missionaries. Jeff took the name Damian and became known as Brother Damien. Before he was finished school to become a priest, he was given the opportunity to go on a mission to Hawaii. While there, he finished school and was ordained a priest. He spent 8 years serving and teaching the Hawaiian people about Jesus. He built many chapels during this time. The Bishop of Hawaii made a request for a priest to go to the Island of Molokai. Molokai was the place where people with leprosy were sent to live. In these times, leprosy was a dangerous disease that would usually lead to death. Anyone with leprosy was sent away to live far from healthy people, to keep the disease from spreading. (Today, the disease can be treated with medicine and isn’t as serious.) Fr. Damien volunteered to go and be with the people of Molokai, even though he knew it might mean he would get the disease. He was shocked by the horrible conditions the people of Molokai were living in. He could not believe that they were sent away without anyone to take care of them. He set to work to improve the lives of the people of Molokai. By teaching them of Jesus’ love through his humble service, many people came to believe in Jesus. Fr. Damien served and loved the people of Molokai like Jesus loved them. He did end up getting leprosy as well, but continued to serve his people until he died 4 years after becoming sick with the illness himself.