On March 19, 1864, Belgian seminarian Damiaan (Jozef) de Veuster first stepped foot in Honolulu and began a legacy of humble service in the Islands. He would be ordained a priest here two months later on May 21 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. His later ministry to the Hansen’s disease patients in Kalaupapa ultimately led to his canonization in 2009 as St. Damien of Molokai.
On May 9 and 10, local Catholics gathered by the hundreds in Honolulu to celebrate with prayer, music and fellowship St. Damien’s feast day, May 10, and the 150th anniversary of his arrival and ordination.
The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, St. Damien’s religious order, organized several commemorative events at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, May 9. A mid-morning Mass for Oahu schools with ties to the Sacred Hearts was attended by more than 3,000 young students and their teachers. Another liturgy was held for the public at the arena that evening.
Sacred Hearts Father Johnathan Hurrell, superior of the order’s U.S. province, was the main celebrant at both Masses. Concelebrating were the order’s locally assigned clergy and priests visiting from Texas, Massachusetts and India.
Entertainment followed the May 9 public Mass. Catholic comedienne Judy McDonald and musician Tom Booth performed to an enthusiastic crowd.
On May 10, Bishop Larry Silva celebrated St. Damien’s feast day with a liturgy at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. In his homily, the bishop said Damien’s life was “shepherded” by God to an extraordinary “pastoral plan” that unfolded in his works of mercy in Kalaupapa. May 10, 1873, was the date of Father Damien’s arrival at Kalaupapa.
“We thank God that we now have this ‘shepherd,’” in St. Damien, “who continues to guide us,” Bishop Silva said.
The bishop joined dozens of others after Mass for a rally at the state capitol. Catholic rapper Joe Melendrez and hula dancers from Sacred Hearts Academy performed in front of St. Damien’s statue.
In addition to the feast day celebrations, the Sacred Hearts order hosted a “family night” and benefit concert May 12 at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe.
On May 21, Bishop Silva was scheduled to mark the 150th anniversary of St. Damien’s priestly ordination by ordaining Sacred Hearts seminarian Ajit Baliar Singh of India in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, the same church where the saint was ordained.