Today is Father Damien Day in Hawaii. Father Damien was a Flemish Catholic missionary to the lepers on the island of Molokai. His official feast day is May 10, but in Hawaii he is remembered on April 15 along with JT, missionary to Engineers. Does that mean engineering is somehow related to leprosy? I digress…
I remember being awed when I first heard the story of Father Damien. I was in first grade sailing past the island of Molokai with my uncle (who is a dive boat captain on Maui). My uncle, who was raised Catholic but I don’t think still practices, knew the story remarkably well for someone who transplanted to Hawaii. I wish Christians today could be remembered for such service. Somehow our priorities have become so mixed up; at time I begin to wonder if such sacrificial living is only possible in the Catholic tradition. Lord have mercy upon us.
Holy Family celebrated the Feast of Janani Luwum, Ugandan Anglican archbishop and martyr (1977) in February. So, yes, there are contemporary Christians remembered for sacrifice…
That’s pretty neat Kristen.
Kristen, I just picked up the incredible story of this colony for my mom to read and she just finished it. (I would give the name of the book she read but can’t remember it right now!)
She was amazed and surprised that she had never heard the story before I gave it to her.
Thanks for your mention of it.