M
mdgspencer
Guest
see catholicgentleman.net/2014/06/gentleman-saint-saint-damien-of-molokai/
In the 19th Century leprosy was dreaded and incurable. The lepers of Hawaii were sent to a remote place and abandoned; there was no way people would go there. But Father Damien went there and changed their lives, giving material help and living as their spiritual father, until he himself contracted leprosy, then died as a leper himself. During his lifetime because of this, he became known and revered all over the world.
As he first joined his religious order before going to Hawaii, “Damien’s final vows to the congregation involved a dramatic ceremony in which his superiors draped him in the cloth that would be used to cover his coffin after death. The custom was meant to symbolize the young man’s solemn commitment, and his identification with Christ’s own death. For Damien, the event would become more significant, as he would go on to lay down his life for the lepers of Molokai.” (Catholic News Agency)
In the 19th Century leprosy was dreaded and incurable. The lepers of Hawaii were sent to a remote place and abandoned; there was no way people would go there. But Father Damien went there and changed their lives, giving material help and living as their spiritual father, until he himself contracted leprosy, then died as a leper himself. During his lifetime because of this, he became known and revered all over the world.
As he first joined his religious order before going to Hawaii, “Damien’s final vows to the congregation involved a dramatic ceremony in which his superiors draped him in the cloth that would be used to cover his coffin after death. The custom was meant to symbolize the young man’s solemn commitment, and his identification with Christ’s own death. For Damien, the event would become more significant, as he would go on to lay down his life for the lepers of Molokai.” (Catholic News Agency)