Father Damien's relic
A relic of Father Damien de Veuster, the "Leper Priest of Molokai," currently among the rank of "blesseds" in the Church and soon to be named a saint by Pope Benedict XVI, will be brought for veneration by the faithful to Saint Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco the evening of Oct. 15, 2009.
Archbishop George H. Niederauer has asked that no other major events be planned for that date by agencies or Catholic organizations in the Archdiocese of San Francisco so to give everyone an opportunity to take part.
Blessed Damien, as he is currently recognized by the Church, was a 19th century Belgian priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who accepted an assignment to minister to persons with leprosy who were isolated on the Kalaupapa peninsula of Molokai, Hawaii. He remained with this community for 16 years, faithfully serving his flock until he, too, died of leprosy at the age of 49.
Father Damien's remains were transferred back to Belgium in 1936. Now, on the occasion of his canonization in Rome on Oct. 11, 2009, the Diocese of Honolulu will receive a relic of the newly named saint. Along the way of its transport back to Hawaii, the relic will be brought to Detroit, San Francisco and Oakland for veneration.
In addition to hosting the relic for veneration, St. Mary's Cathedral will also host a daytime performance of the one-man play, Damien, written by Aldyth Morris and performed by Casey Groves.
Details on the evening prayer service with the relic of Father Damien and the daytime performance will follow. For more information on the upcoming canonization of Blessed Damien, see www.fatherdamien.com.
From July 10, 2009 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
