Father Damien Day – April 15, 2027

Expected Father Damien Day Deals

Father Damien Day is a time for reflection and remembrance rather than commercial deals. However, organizations dedicated to supporting those affected by Hansen’s disease, such as the Damien and Marianne of Moloka’i Education Center or the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, may accept donations to continue their work. Catholic charities like Catholic Charities Hawaii often highlight their social service programs on days honoring saints of charity. Some religious goods retailers, such as Catholic Supply of St. Louis, might feature books or devotional items related to Saint Damien. We will update this page with any specific commemorative events or fundraising drives as April 15 approaches.

History of Father Damien Day

Father Damien or Saint Damien of Molokai was born Jozef De Veuster on January 3, 1840, in Tremelo, Belgium. He was the youngest of seven children of Joannes Franciscus De Veuster and Anne-Catherine Wouters. At the age of 13, he had to quit school to work on the family farm. His older sisters Eugénie and Pauline were nuns, and his older brother Auguste was a priest, Father Pamphile. In 1860, he was admitted to the religious profession. He was later sent on a mission to Hawaii as a replacement because Father Pamphile couldn’t go due to illness.

Father Damien arrived in Hawaii on March 19, 1864. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1864, at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. He was then assigned to a mission in North Kohala the following year. Around the time, the Hawaiian Kingdom was struggling with a labor shortage and health crisis. Many Hawaiians had a high mortality rate caused by infectious diseases. Leprosy was believed to be highly contagious. In 1866, the Hawaiian legislature designated Molokai as the site for a leper colony to quarantine people affected with leprosy.

Father Damien went to Kalaupapa, Molokai, and arrived on May 10, 1873. He was the first volunteer, among other priests, who arrived at the quarantined settlement. There, Damien worked with the people to build a church. Besides serving as a priest, he built a reservoir, homes, and furniture, made coffins, and dug graves. Damien cared for the lepers, established leaders to improve livelihood within the community, and lived with them as equals. He caught leprosy after 11 years of caring for them. Despite his illness, he continued with his work until he was bedridden on March 23, 1889. Father Damien died on April 15, 1889.