On October 11, 2009, after 73 years of scrutiny, Pope Benedict XVI will finally canonize Fr. Damien de Veuster, SS.CC. This Sacred Hearts priest is famous for his work among the lepers on the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i from his arrival in 1873 until his death as a leper in 1889. But did you know that Francis of Assisi—who also worked among lepers in Italy--was one of his heroes? Did you know that the San Damiano cross is named after St. Damien (twin brother of St. Cosmas) who was known for his healings in 4th Century Arabia, and whose name Fr. Damien took as his consecrated name? Fr. Damien has deep connections to the Franciscan way of life and his upcoming canonization warrants a closer examination of the inspiring life of this “Athlete for God.”
The book, Holy Man by Gavan Daws, not only provides one of the most comprehensive and accurate portrayals of Damien, but gives an unflinching social history of leprosy in the late 19th century. Daws exposes the imperialistic and racial prejudices of the day and the political intrigue with which Damien had to deal in order to care for his beloved congregation. But Damien was not to be pitied. This book reveals how God precisely prepared him from childhood for the grueling work that would await him on Moloka’i. And how passionately the man embraced every hard labor, heart break and moment for rejoicing that the devastating life with lepers brought into his life. Damien teaches us how not to forget the most easily forgotten.
If you like stories in which God’s actions are clearly evident in the lives of human beings, this one will be most satisfying.
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