Disgusting and very contagious

That is what people used to think about those who had that disease (and probably some still do). Many thought it best that these sick people be kept locked up or isolated on some island in the middle of the ocean.

A young priest volunteered to minister to these outcasts. It soon became his fulltime ministry and he cared for the people with great compassion and determination.

After a decade of this service, Father Damien contracted leprosy himself and died five years later during Holy Week (107 years ago last month) at the leper colony on the island of Molokai, Hawaii.

He was beatified in 1995. His memory is celebrated on this day, the anniversary of his arrival at the leper colony.

Mother Marianne Cope, who took over part of Blessed Damien’s work upon his death, will be beatified this Saturday.