Born in 1840, Fr. Damien spent 16 years of his life on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i. For decades, authorities used the island to banish anyone found suffering from Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy. Fr. Damien dedicated his life to comforting and ministering to the settlement's suffering residents. He was their priest, but he was also their carpenter, farmer, doctor and cook. Fr. Damien knew the risk he took living on Moloka’i. In 1889, he died of the disease he had worked so long to treat.
Patron saint of:
- Hawaii
- HIV and AIDS
- Leprosy
- Outcasts
