VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
As an altar server at the former St. Sophia Church on Molokai (now St. Damien Catholic Church), I remember the Sacred Hearts priests being like modern-day Damiens. One of the priests was particularly gruff. But, he was out there fixing churches and ministering to the people. For a high schooler, it was good role modeling.
Later, as I entered the Sacred Hearts, I was inspired by several priests who encouraged local, native vocations. Through their welcome, support and example, I made it a personal goal to become a model for others like them. They could always be found ministering to the needs of the church and anyone else in need.
Over the last 42 years of my life as a religious, I have not only been able to serve like that with my religious brothers in community, but with religious of other congregations as well. For, as you continue to do ministry, you have different experiences that you can share. These become wisdom for your own and other’s journey in faith or ministry.
As the process for the canonization of Father Damien became more and more of a reality, I began to realize that I might be like Damien. He was the one who was looking after the needs of the people that he served and being a voice for those who felt they had no voice.
One of the inspirations I take from Damien’s life is in remembering how he climbed the steep cliffs of Kalawao to go to topside. I said to myself, “Oh my! You have to have stamina; you have to be healthy.” As a cancer survivor two times over, those are the elements that help me continue when I find myself asking, “What do I do now?” Definitely, God has a plan for me. So, “How do I take care of myself?” Going back and forth with Damien in how he, through the many struggles he had, never gave up, gives me renewed strength.
Another inspirational element of Damien’s life for me was when he sought to go to confession. The captain would not allow him onboard because he had Hansen’s disease, so he stayed in the skip while the confessor bent over the ship’s rail. Definitely, confession took place in another language. But it was that sense of humility that I find profound. Damien wasn’t ashamed that he had to do it that way.
Those are some of the things that help me when I’m feeling kind of frustrated over certain things. I look back and say, “Well, how did Damien handle this?” Of course, we are looking many years in the past. But nonetheless, they are challenges for us. Especially in the 21st century, we are challenged on every front. How do we live the committed life that we have been called to? Take guidance from Damien.
Father Akiona is a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of Perpetual Adoration. He is from Molokai, 42 years professed and 38 years ordained. Pastor of St. Augustine Church in Waikiki, his current project is construction of the Damien and Marianne of Molokai Education Center on the parish grounds.
*Dutch for “Damien inspires,” a slogan used in Belgium for the canonization of Father Damien.
