Saint Damien Of Molokai Essay

632 Words2 Pages

Saint Damien of Molokai was a missionary to Hawaii, and ended up sacrificing his life to improve the leper colony of Molokai. Saint Damien cared for and wanted to help the ailing lepers of all ages. Saint Damien’s devotion to help the lepers was so strong he decided to stay on Molokai permanently. After contracting leprosy, he continued to help the other lepers out of the kindness of his heart. Saint Damien of Molokai was a martyr of charity because of his undying will to help the lepers on Molokai. Saint Damien cared for and wanted to help the ailing lepers of all ages. While Saint Damien of Molokai was serving at several parishes on Oahu, he learned of the health problems on Hawaii. Europeans and Chinese workers brought various diseases, including leprosy, to the native people. Out of the fear of leprosy spreading to others, the Hawaiian government ordered all lepers to be sent to medical quarantine on the island of Molokai. The leper colony was poorly run, and lacked proper medical care. Thinking the colony could use help from a Catholic priest, Bishop Louis Désiré Maigret, the bishop of Honolulu, asked for Catholic priests to volunteer to help out the lepers on Molokai. Despite the health risks and out of …show more content…

After working on the colony for 11 years, Saint Damien contracted leprosy. However, he did not let this stop him from his work. With the help of four other people sent to help him during his ailing years, he continued to work at a vigorous pace. He continued to build homes, treat fellow lepers, enlarge the orphanages, and plan the future of the programs he established until his death five years later. Despite suffering from leprosy at the end of his life, he continued to work as hard as he was before contracting the disease. Saint Damien of Molokai was a martyr of charity because of his undying will to help the lepers on

More about Saint Damien Of Molokai Essay

Open Document