Bishop Larry Silva will lead a prayer service around the statue of St. Damien de Veuster at the State Capitol at 9 a.m. May 10 to commemorate the feast day of the saint of Molokai.
That evening at 6 p.m. he will celebrate St. Damien’s feast day Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.
May 10 was chosen for St. Damien’s feast day because it is the date of his arrival in Kalaupapa to serve the Hansen’s disease patients banished there. This year marks the 145 anniversary of that auspicious day in 1873.
St. Damien’s feast day is an obligatory memorial in the Diocese of Honolulu, meaning that Masses celebrated that day are required to commemorate him. St. Damien was canonized at the Vatican in 2009.
The bishop will be joined at the capitol by Father Herman Gomes, the local provincial superior of the Sacred Hearts Congregation of Jesus and Mary to which St. Damien belonged. Besides prayer, the ceremony at the capitol will include a draping of leis over the statue and music.
Others expected to participate in the prayer service include sisters, brothers and priests of the Sacred Hearts Congregation.
Students from schools administered by members of the order —Sacred Hearts Academy; St. Patrick School, Kaimuki; St. Ann School, Kaneohe; St. Michael School, Waialua — plan to participate in the State Capitol service.
Also expected to attend are parishioners from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Wahiawa, which is run by the order, and members of the Sacred Hearts Secular Branch. The public is also welcome.
Dinner will be served following the evening Mass at the co-cathedral.