This is a reprint of the story published in the Oct. 16, 2009, Hawaii Catholic Herald on the canonization of St. Damien de Veuster. Oct. 11 marks the 10th anniversary of that historic event. Hawaii has a saint! ‘It has finally happened and we are all here. God is good.’ By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic […]
Review: Beer me, St. Damien!
Maui Brewing Company recently released a new limited edition beer inspired by St. Damien de Veuster and perfectly timed for the 10th anniversary of the Belgian-Hawaii priest’s canonization. Saint Damien “is a robust Bourbon and Brandy Barrel-Aged Belgian strong dark Ale” available on tap at Maui Brewing Co.’s four locations and also in limited release […]
Bringing Kalaupapa to the world
A new center in the hub of Waikiki aims to educate locals and visitors about St. Damien, St. Marianne and the people they served By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald Sandwiched between an ABC store and an aloha shirt-souvenir shop, a new building is going up on Kalakaua Avenue that also hopes to attract tourists, […]
TERENCE RICHARD KNAPP | 1932-2019
World-renowned actor brought St. Damien to life on stage and on screen By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Terence Richard Knapp, the world-renowned English actor, director and retired University of Hawaii drama professor who brought Father Damien de Veuster to life through his title role in Aldyth Morris’ play “Damien,” died Aug. 12 at St. […]
Kalaupapa: How to get there today
By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald You may know about St. Damien and St. Marianne. And you may know about Kalaupapa and its Hansen’s disease settlement where they dedicated their lives to serving those forcibly sent into isolation because of their disease. But do you know how to get to this holy and historic place? […]
Bishop remembers cardinal who promoted Damien’s cause
Bishop Larry Silva sent a letter of condolences to the archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels in Belgium upon the death of his predecessor, Cardinal Godfried Danneels, who was an ardent advocate for the canonization of his countryman, St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai. Cardinal Danneels, retired archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, died March 14 at the age of 85. […]
St. Damien’s first assignment: ‘the district close to the big volcano’
By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald “I was first placed in the district close to the big volcano, this ancient divinity of our Kanakas who to our day still has his adorers.” St. Damien wrote those words in 1865 in a letter to France describing his first missionary deployment (and incorrectly identifying the volcano diety […]
Friendly Isle’s topside parish adds ‘Molokai’ to its name
At the “request of the parish,” Bishop Larry Silva made a slight modification to the official name of Molokai’s topside parish, from “St. Damien Catholic Parish” to “St. Damien of Molokai Parish,” effective May 31. According to the pastor, Sacred Hearts Father Sioneata Christopher Kaitapu, the parishioners felt that the parish’s patron saint is closely […]
Photo: Celebrating St. Damien
Top, students from St. Ann School in Kaneohe sing at St. Damien feast day ceremonies at the saint’s statue in front of the state Capitol, May 10. Far left, a lei is draped over the statue of St. Damien at the Capitol. Near left, Sister Diane Leonard Krause of the Daughters of St. Paul venerates […]
Bishop to lead St. Damien day service
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 […]