Saint Damien of Molokai (1840–1889) was a Belgian Catholic priest and missionary renowned for his selfless service to individuals afflicted with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Born Jozef De Veuster in Tremelo, Belgium, he joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and was ordained in Honolulu in 1864. In 1873, he volunteered to serve the quarantined leper colony at Kalaupapa, Molokai, where the Hawaiian government had exiled those suffering from the disease. With no prior medical training, he provided spiritual guidance, medical care, and infrastructure, building homes, schools, and churches while advocating for improved conditions for the patients.

For 16 years, Father Damien dedicated his life to the lepers of Molokai, embracing them as his own family despite the risk of infection. He ministered to the sick, comforted the dying, and worked tirelessly to restore dignity to those who had been abandoned by society. He contracted leprosy himself in 1884 but continued his work despite his declining health. His courage and sacrifice drew global attention to the plight of those suffering from leprosy, inspiring support from religious and secular communities alike. His advocacy led to increased medical aid and better living conditions for the colony.

Father Damien succumbed to leprosy on April 15, 1889, at the age of 49. His legacy of compassion and service earned him worldwide admiration, and he was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009. Today, he is honored as the patron saint of people with leprosy and outcasts, and his work continues to inspire humanitarian efforts. His remains were later transferred to Belgium, but his heart remains buried in Molokai as a testament to his enduring love for the people he served.

‍