ST DAMIEN DE VEUSTER (ST DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI), FEAST DAY: MAY 10th
ABOUT ST DAMIEN:
Damien de Veuster was born in Belgium in 1840 into a Flemish-speaking family of grain merchants. His parents wanted him to go into the family business but when he wanted to join the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, like his older brother, they did not stand in his way.
Damien’s older brother was meant to go to Hawaii to the missions, but when he became ill Damien arranged to take his place.
Once ordained and given his own parish, Damien was full of energy – evangelizing, building churches, farming, ministering to his parishioners, and debunking voodoo. Later he volunteered to be the resident priest on Molokai, a horrific leper colony, where he set about the physical and spiritual care of the sufferers, changing their lives until he himself died of the disease sixteen years later. He was beatified in 1995 and canonized in 2009.
He is considered patron of those with leprosy, those suffering from HIV/AIDS, those who are bullied, and all those cast out by society. He is also patron of the American state of Hawaii.
FIRST DAY:
Dear St Damien, you were sent away to school in a region
where you didn’t speak the language and people tried to bully you because of it. We pray for those who are bullied whether at school or at work or in whatever situation. May they emulate you in not accepting it. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SECOND DAY:
Dear St Damien, you loved your parents but you loved God more. You knew God was calling you to the priesthood and you answered that call although you knew your parents had other hopes of you. May we put God first and never refuse his call because of any other attachment. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
THIRD DAY:
Dear St Damien, you gave up family, country and language to go and evangelize, knowing that you would never see your home or family again. Accord us something of your courage and clear-sightedness. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
FOURTH DAY:
Dear St Damien, in Hawaii you worked tirelessly, giving everything to make Christ known. We pray that we can value our faith as much as you did. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
FIFTH DAY:
Dear St Damien, when you went to Molokai you were
prepared to give up your life to serve others. Help us to understand this Christian love and begin to desire it for ourselves. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SIXTH DAY:
Dear St Damien, when you first arrived in the leper colony you were revolted by the patients, but you didn’t let them see this and continued to work for them. We pray to have this spirit so we can put others first, thinking of their needs and feelings rather than our own. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
SEVENTH DAY:
Dear St Damien, you didn’t deal well with bureaucracy and often offended people by your brusqueness. You had to learn to ask forgiveness. May we never think God cannot use us because of our character, and may we too have the humility to ask pardon of those we have offended. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
EIGHTH DAY:
Dear St Damien, you suffered greatly on Molokai because you were cut off from the sacraments, especially the sacrament of reconciliation. May we understand the importance of this sacrament and have recourse to it often. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
NINTH DAY:
Dear St Damien, you suffered terrible loneliness and turned to the Blessed Sacrament for comfort. We pray for all who are lonely. Help us to give time to anyone we know who is lonely, and to give time to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. We pray especially for (mention your request).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
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