Stephen M. Skelly
Special to the Herald
As a member of the Joseph Dutton Guild of the Diocese of Honolulu, my wife, Denise, and I attended the Saints of America celebration at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wisconsin, from July 1-9. With aloha, we distributed prayer cards and medals honoring servant of God Joseph Dutton, layman.
Throughout the event it was evident that many pilgrims learned about Hawaii’s saints.
They were prominently recognized for their work in Kalaupapa, Molokai, with Hansen’s disease patients. St. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope were well-represented by their respective religious communities.
Needless to say, the Church in its wisdom is recognizing that there are many laypersons who have given great witness to its teachings and is ready to recognize them through the steps of canonization.
Visitors to the Saints of America exhibit who became new followers of Dutton were surely inspired by his heroic life.
During his intensive search to find meaning in life, Dutton finally found God. From that instant on, he tirelessly worked hard and dedicated himself to God’s special people.
Stephen M. and Denise Skelly live in Janesville, Wisconsin. Several years ago, Stephen — a longtime amateur historian of Dutton’s life and work — discovered long-lost documents and personal items belonging to Dutton in the basement of the rectory at St. Jude Church in Beloit, Wisconsin.