The Saint of Molokai

” Heroes are those who kindle a great light in the world, who set up blazing torches
in the dark streets of life for people to see. Saints are those who walk through the dark paths of the world, themselves a light.”  Felix Adler

This week the Church celebrated the feast of St. Damien de Veuster. Our dear Sister Mary Damien, who was novice directress to most of the California province and served in this position for 25 years, inspired us often with stories of her patron saint. On the feast itself novices composed countless skits and songs to celebrate the day.
Father Damien was a member of the Congregation of the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In 1873, at the age of 33, Damien offered to spend the rest of his life ministering to the lepers who, at that time, were banished to the Hawaiian island of Molokai. St. Damien wrote, “Holy Communion keeps me full of joy. Without the constant presence of our divine Master in my humble chapel, I should never have been able to continue to link my life with the lepers ofMolakai.”
Although she died before Damien was canonized in 2009, Sister Mary Damien predicted he would be declared a saint, and challenged all of us to become saints, too.