Saint Damien de Molokai
(Joseph de Veuster)
Prêtre - Religieux Picpus (+ 1889)
Né à Tremelo (Belgique) le 03.01.1840 Retourné à Dieu le 15.04.1889 à Molokaï
(Hawaï) Béatifié le 04.06.1995 par Jean-Paul II à Bruxelles.
Joseph de Veuster naît dans une famille belge de langue flamande au village de
Tremelo en 1840. Il est le septième de huit enfants dont quatre entreront en
religion. Il suit l’un de ses frères dans la Congrégation des Sacrés Cœur de
Jésus et Marie (ou Pères de Picpus), prenant le nom de Damien. Il y développe
son amour de l’adoration eucharistique qui sera son seul soutien dans les
heures de solitude, et son amour de la Sainte Vierge. Dans son ardeur
missionnaire, le jeune religieux s’adresse directement au supérieur général et
obtient la permission de partir, à la place de son frère tombé malade, dans la
mission nouvellement fondée aux îles Hawaï. Il s’embarque avant même son ordination
sacerdotale qui lui sera conférée à Honolulu. Le gouvernement avait regroupé
d’autorité tous les lépreux de l’archipel dans l’île Molokaï, le Père Damien
est choisi parmi d’autres volontaires pour assurer une présence sacerdotale
dans cet enfer de désespoir et de misère morale. Il organise alors la vie
religieuse, sociale et fraternelle dans cette île mise au ban de la société. Il
se solidarise avec les lépreux (il aimait dire: "nous les lépreux")
et même, malgré ses précautions, il est atteint à son tour par la maladie.
“Qu’il est doux de mourir comme un enfant du Sacré-cœur”, disait-il à son
dernier jour. Il avait souhaité que ce fut le jour de Pâques; ce fut le Lundi
Saint, 15 avril 1889. source Abbaye Saint Benoît de Port-Valais
"Construire un monde plus juste en solidarité avec les plus pauvres"
Le Père Damien: Le plus grand Belge de tous les temps (Action Damien)
Béatifié par le Pape Jean-Paul II le 4 juin 1995
Biographie sur le site site officiel de la Province de France des Frères et du Secteur
France des Sœurs de la Congrégation des Sacrés-Cœurs (dite de Picpus).
Il est canonisé le 11 octobre 2009 et une 'année Damien' s'est ouverte à
Louvain le 10 mai 2009 (catho.be).
Canonisation de Jeanne Jugan et de Damien de Veuster - dossier sur le site
internet de l'Eglise catholique en France.
"Le Père Damien, dans le siècle Jozef De Veuster, membre de la
Congrégation des Sacrés Cœurs de Jésus et de Marie, a quitté sa terre natale,
les Flandres, pour annoncer l’évangile aux îles Hawaii et a consacré la
dernière partie de sa vie aux lépreux sur l’île de Molokaï, devenant lui-même
lépreux.
En ce 20e anniversaire de la canonisation d’un autre saint belge, le Frère
Mutien-Marie, l’Eglise en Belgique - a relevé Benoît XVI dans son homélie - est
unie une nouvelle fois pour rendre grâce à Dieu pour l’un de ses fils reconnu
comme un authentique serviteur de Dieu. Nous nous souvenons devant cette noble
figure que c’est la charité qui fait l’unité: elle l’enfante et la rend
désirable. À la suite de saint Paul, saint Damien nous entraîne à choisir les
bons combats (cf. 1 Tim 1, 18), non pas ceux qui portent la division, mais ceux
qui rassemblent. Il nous invite à ouvrir les yeux sur les lèpres qui défigurent
l’humanité de nos frères et appellent encore aujourd’hui, plus que notre
générosité, la charité de notre présence servante."
(source: Radio Vaticana - Cinq nouveaux saints pour l'Eglise universelle - 11
octobre 2009)
La fête liturgique de Saint Damien de Molokaï est le 10 mai:
Il aurait été logique de fêter Damien au jour de sa mort (Dies Natalis), le 15
avril. Mais, désirant mettre en relief la figure de Damien, lors de la
béatification de l'Apôtre des Lépreux en 1995, et souhaitant éviter que
celle-ci ne tombe lors de la Pâque, Jean-Paul II, a souhaité fixer ce jour au
10 mai. Cela correspond à l'arrivée de Joseph Damien de Veuster à la léproserie
de Molokaï. (site de la congrégation des sacrés cœurs de Jésus et de Marie -
Picpus - France)
À Kalawao, dans l’île de Molokai en Océanie, l’an 1889, Damien de Veuster,
prêtre de la Congrégation des Missionnaires des Saints Coeurs de Jésus et de
Marie, qui se dévoua tellement de tout son cœur au service des lépreux qu’il
contracta lui-même la lèpre et en mourut.
Martyrologe romain
le Bienheureux P. Damien de Veuster descendit dans la léproserie de Molokai –
considérée alors "le cimetière et l’enfer des vivants" – et, dès sa
première prédication, il embrassa tous ces malheureux en disant simplement:
"Nous lépreux." Et au premier malade qui lui dit: "Attention,
Père, vous pourriez attraper mon mal", il répondit: "Mon fils, si la
maladie m’emporte le corps, Dieu m’en donnera un autre."
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/9930/Saint-Damien-de-Molokai-(Joseph-de-Veuster).html
Padre
Damiano tra i lebbrosi della colonia di Kalaupapa
Cathedral
of Our Lady of Peace archived image of Father Damien with the Kalawao Girls
Choir, at Kalaupapa, Moloka'i, circa 1878. The photo was recently used in the
project "The Separating Sickness" in 1997. Henry Lyman
Chase - Hawaii State Archives Law, Anwei Skinsnes (2012) Kalaupapa: A Collective Memory (Ka
Hokuwelowelo), Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press,
p. 118 ISBN: 978-0-8248-6580-1. OCLC: 830023588.
VOYAGE APOSTOLIQUE EN
BELGIQUE
HOMÉLIE DU SAINT-PÈRE
JEAN-PAUL II
Solennité de la Pentecôte, Bruxelles
Dimanche 4 juin 1995
Geliefde broeders en
zusters,
1. «Zoals de Vader
Mij gezonden heeft, zo zend Ik u... Ontvangt de Heiligе Geest » [1].
De Apostelen hoorden deze
woorden uit de mond van de Verrezen Christus, op de avond van de verrijzenis.
's Morgens van de eerste dag van de week, stelden de vrouwen en daarna Petrus
en Johannes vast, dat het graf waar ze Jezus hadden neergelegd, leeg was. 's
Avonds van dezelfde dag verscheen Jezus in hun midden. Het was dezelfde
Jezus die ze eerder gekend hadden, maar toch was Hij verschillend. In zijn
lichaam droeg Hij de tekenen van zijn kruisiging en terzelfder tijd was Hij
verrezen. Niet meer onderworpen aan de huidige wetten van de materie, kon Hij
het cenakel binnentreden, ook al waren alle deuren gesloten. Na de Apostelen
gegroet te hebben: «de vrede zij met u », richt de verrezen Jezus woorden tot
hen die voor de toekomst van de Kerk beslissend zijn: «Zoals de Vader Mij
gezonden heeft, zo zend Ik u ». Na zo gesproken te hebben, blaast Hij over hen
en zegt: «Ontvangt de Heilige Geest. Wier zonden gij vergeeft, hun zijn ze
vergeven, en wier zonden gij niet vergeeft, hun zijn ze niet vergeven » [2].
Het ware moment van de
nederdaling van de Heilige Geest heeft plaats op de avond van de
verrijzenis. Jezus, de Zoon Gods, één in wezen met de Vader, blaast over de
Apostelen. Deze adem manifesteert de oorsprong van de Heilige Geest, die komt
van de Vader en de Zoon. Deze adem is heilbrengend. Hij bevat al de kracht
van de verlossing die Christus bewerkt heeft. We begrijpen dat Christus,
nadat Hij tot zijn Apostelen gezegd heeft: « Ontvangt de Heilige Geest »,
dadelijk over de vergiffenis der zonden spreekt. Hij geeft hun de macht om
zonden te vergeven, een macht die van God komt. Hij verleent hun die macht en
terzelfder tijd zijn verlossende adem, die de definitieve komst van de Heilige
Geest aankondigt. Op de dag van Pinksteren leidde de nederdaling van de Heilige
Geest over de Apostelen hen die, op het woord van Petrus, in Christus geloofden
naar het doopsel. Het waren zij die naar het heil verlangden, dat aan alle
mensen gegeven is, door het Kruis en de Verrijzenis van Christus.
2. De Handelingen van de
Apostelen beschrijven in detail de ge beurtenis van Sinksen. De Heilige Geest,
de adem van de Vader en de Zoon, openbaart zijn aanwezigheid door een
hevige windstoot. Boven de Apostelen, in het cenakel verenigd, verschijnt iets
als vuur, dat zich in tongen verdeelt, die zich op ieders hoofd neerzetten. Zo
getuigen de natuurelementen wind en vuur van de komst van de Heilige Geest.
Maar deze manifestaties
gaan gepaard met een bovennatuurlijk ver schijnsel. De Apostelen, beginnen,
van de Heilige Geest vervuld, vreemde talen te spreken, naargelang de
Geest hun te vertolken geeft. Dit gebeuren wekt grote verbazing onder allen die
op dat ogenblik in Jeruzalem verblijven, «vrome joden, afkomstig uit alle
volkeren onder de hemel » [3]. Verbaasd en verwonderd roepen ze uit: «
Zijn al die daar spreken dan geen Galileeërs? Hoe komt het dan dat ieder van
ons hen hoort spreken in zijn eigen moedertaal » [4]?
Wanneer de schrijver van
het boek der Handelingen van de Apostelen de lijst opmaakt van de landen van de
toen gekende wereld, van waar de bedevaarders afkomstig zijn, die aan het
pinkstergebeuren deelnemen, tekent hij bijna een geografie van de eerste
evangelіatie, die de Apostelen moeten ten uitvoer brengen, door in de
verschillende talen «de wondere tekenen van God» te verkondigen. Met
uitzondering van Rome, wordt van geen enkel land uit het Westen, het Centrum,
het Noorden of het Oosten van Europa melding gemaakt. België wordt niet
genoemd en nog minder worden de eilanden van de Molokаi-archipel in de
verre Pacifiek genoemd. Geen woord over het vaderland van Pater Damiaan de
Veuster, of over het land waar hij naar toe zou trekken als missionaris, om er
zijn leven te geven voor Christus, in dienst van de liefde tot de naaste.
3. Bij deze vermelding
van de plaatsen die Pater Damiaan lief waren, groet ik Hunne Majesteiten de
Koning der Belgen en de Koningin, Hare Majesteit Koningin Fabiola, alsook de
leden van het Corps Diplomatique en de burgerlijke gezagvoerders. Mijn
broederwens aan Kardinaal Danneels, die zijn verjaardag viert, en mijn
hartelijke wensen, ook aan Kardinaal Suenens, die dit over enkele dagen zal
doen. Een warme groet aan de verzamelde bisschoppen. Ik ben blij om de
aanwezigheid van de familie van Pater Damiaan, van talrijke missionarissen, ook
van de delegaties van Tremelo, Malonne en Leuven en van de vereniging van de
Vrienden van Pater Damiaan, de Damiaanactie.
Ik ben gelukkig de
afgevaardigden van de Hawaï-eilanden te verwelkomen:
Weiléna eilohei oknu. Mei
keikou peikeihé ei peiu kei meiluhlei ei mei kei eilohei o Ieisu Chrésto.
4. De eeuwen door heeft
de Kerk zich altijd verder ontwikkeld en het Evangelie gebracht tot aan de
uiteinden der aarde. Zo heeft ze de vraag van Christus zelf beantwoord, die de
Heilige Geest geschonken heeft, onmisbare kracht om die opdracht van
evangelisatie te volbrengen. De Kerk dankt de Heilige Geest voor Pater
Damiaan, want het is de Geest die hem het verlangen heeft ingegeven om zich
zonder reserve aan de melaatsen van de eilanden van de Pacifiek, in het
bijzonder van Molokaï, te wijden. De Kerk erkent en bevestigt vandaag,
door mijn mond, de waarde en het voorbeeld van Pater Damiaaan op de weg
van heiligheid. Ze looft God die hem gegidst heeft tot op het einde van zijn
bestaan, op een weg die dikwijls moeilijk was. Ze beschouwt met vreugde
wat God kan tot stand brengen doorheen de menselijke zwakheid, want «Hij is
het, die ons de heiligheid schenkt en de mens is het die haar ontvangt » [5].
Pater Damiaan heeft,
tijdens zijn ministerie, een bijzondere vorm van heiligheid ontwikkeld. Hij
was terzelfder tijd priester, religieus en missionaris. In deze
drievoudige hoedanigheid, heeft hij het gelaat van Christus zichtbaar
gemaakt. Hij heeft de weg van het heil getoond, het Evangelie onderricht
en onvermoeibaar tot de ontwikkeling bijgedragen. Hij heeft op Molokaï het
religieuze, sociale en broederlijke leven georganiseerd. De bewoners van het
eiland waren toen door de maatschappij verbannen. Met Damiaan kreeg iedereen
zijn plaats, werd iedereen erkend en door zijn broeders bemind.
Op deze Pinksterdag
vragen wij voor onszelf en voor alle mensen de bijstand van de Heilzģe
Geest om ons door Hem te laten grijpen. Wij hebben de zekerheid dat Hij
ons niets onmogelijks oplegt, maar dat Hij ons zijn en ons bestaan, langs soms
steile wegen, tot volmaaktheid leidt. Deze viering is ook een oproep tot
verdieping van het geestelijk leven van zieken en gezonden, van armeren en
rijkeren.
Dierbare broeders en
zusters van België, u zijt allen tot heiligheid geroepen. Stel uw talenten
ter beschikking van Christus, van de Kerk, van uw broeders. Laat u nederig en
geduldig kneden door de Geest! De heiligheid is niet de volmaaktheid van
de menselijke criteria. Ze is niet aan een klein aantal uitzonderlijke
wezens voorbehouden. Ze is voor allen. De Heer is het die tot de heiligheid
toegang verschaft, wanneer wij aanvaarden om, niettegenstaande onze zonde en
ons soms opstandig temperament, mee te werken, tot glorie van God en tot het
heil van de wereld. In uw dagelijks leven zijt gij geroepen om keuzen te maken
die «soms buitengewone offers» vragen [6]. Dat is de prijs van het ware geluk.
Hiervan is de apostel van de melaatsen getuige.
5. Today’s celebration is
also a call to solidarity. While Damien was among the sick, he could say
in his heart: "Our Lord will give me the graces I need to carry my cross
and follow him, even to our special Calvary at Kalawao". The certainty
that the only things that count are love and the gift of self was his
inspiration and the source of his happiness. The apostle of the lepers is a
shining example of how the love of God does not take us away from the world.
Far from it: the love of Christ makes us love our brothers and sisters even to
the point of giving up our lives for them.
I am pleased to greet the
Bishop of Honolulu who accompanied the pilgrims of Hawaii for this solemn
joyful celebration.
6. An euch, liebe
Schwestern und Brüder Belgiens, liegt es, die Fackel Pater Damians erneut zu
ergreifen. Sein Zeugnis ist für euch alle, vor allem für euch junge Menschen,
ein Anruf, um ihn kennenlernen zu können und durch sein Opfer in euch die
Sehnsucht nach der Gottesliebe, dem Quell aller wahren Liebe und jedes
gelungenen Lebens, und das Verlangen, aus eurem Leben eine fruchtbare Gabe zu
machen, wachsen zu lassen.
7. Mon cœur se
tourne vers ceux qui sont aujourd’hui encore atteints de la lèpre. Avec
Damien, ils ont désormais un intercesseur, car, avant d’être malade, il s’était
déjà identifié à eux et disait souvent: «Nous autres, lépreux». En appuyant
auprès de Paul VI la
cause de béatification, Raoul Follereau avait eu l’intuition du rayonnement
spirituel que Damien pouvait avoir après sa mort. Ma prière rejoint aussi tous
ceux qui sont frappés par des maladies graves et incurables, ou qui sont à
l’approche de la mort. Comme les évêques de votre pays l’ont rappelé, tous les
hommes ont le droit d’avoir, de la part de leurs frères, une main tendue, une
parole, un regard, une présence patiente et aimante, même s’il n’y a pas
d’espoir de guérison. Frères et Sœurs malades, vous êtes aimés de Dieu et
de l’Eglise! La souffrance est pour l’humanité un mystère inexplicable; si
elle écrase l’homme laissé à ses propres forces, elle trouve un sens dans le
mystère du Christ mort et ressuscité, qui demeure proche de tout être et qui
lui murmure: «Courage, j’ai vaincu le monde» [7]. Je rends grâce au Seigneur pour les
personnes qui accompagnent et entourent les malades, les petits, les êtres
faibles et sans défense, les exclus: je pense spécialement aux professionnels
de la santé, aux prêtres et aux laïcs des équipes d’aumônerie, aux visiteurs
d’hôpitaux, et à ceux qui se dévouent pour la cause de la vie, pour la
sauvegarde des enfants, et pour que chaque homme ait un toit et une place au
sein de la société. Par leur action, ils rappellent l’incomparable dignité de
nos frères qui souffrent, dans leur corps ou dans leur cœur; ils manifestent
que toute vie, même la plus fragile et la plus souffrante, a du poids et du
prix au regard de Dieu. Avec les yeux de la foi, au-delà des apparences, on
peut voir que tout être est porteur du riche trésor de son humanité et de la
présence de Dieu, qui l’a tissé dès l’origine [8].
8. Dans la Première
Lettre aux Corinthiens, saint Paul écrit: «Personne n’est capable de dire
"Jésus est le Seigneur" s’il n’est avec l’Esprit Saint» [9]. En effet, dire «Jésus est le Seigneur»
signifie confesser sa divinité, comme l’avait confessée saint Pierre au nom des
Apôtres à Césarée de Philippe. «Le Seigneur» – Kyrios en grec – est
celui qui domine sur toute la création, celui auquel s’adresse le psaume que
nous avons entendu: «Bénis le Seigneur, ô mon âme; Seigneur mon Dieu, tu es si
grand! Quelle profusion dans tes œuvres, Seigneur! La terre s’emplit de tes
biens. Tu reprends leur souffle, ils expirent et retournent à leur poussière.
Tu envoies ton souffle: ils sont créés; tu renouvelles la face de la terre» [10].
Ces versets de la
liturgie parlent du pouvoir de Dieu sur toute la création. Elles
concernent l’Esprit Saint, qui est Dieu, et qui donne la vie avec le Père
et le Fils. Aussi, l’Eglise prie-t-elle aujourd’hui: «O Seigneur, envoie ton
Esprit qui renouvelle la face de la terre»! L’Esprit Saint fait en sorte
que l’homme parvienne à la connaissance du Christ et confesse sa divinité:
«Jésus est Seigneur» – Kyrios!
Cette foi en la divinité
du Christ, le Père Damien, d’une certaine manière, l’a sucée avec le lait
maternel, dans sa famille en Flandres. Il a grandi avec elle et il la porta
ensuite à ses frères et sœurs, dans les lointaines îles Molokaï. Pour confirmer
jusqu’au bout la vérité de son témoignage, il a offert sa vie au milieu d’eux.
Qu’aurait-il pu offrir d’autre aux lépreux, condamnés à une mort lente, sinon
sa propre foi et cette vérité que le Christ est Seigneur et que Dieu est
Amour? Il devint lépreux au milieu des lépreux, il devint lépreux pour les
lépreux. Il a souffert et il est mort comme eux, croyant en la résurrection
dans le Christ, car le Christ est Seigneur!
9. Saint Paul écrit
encore: «Les dons de la grâce sont variés, mais c’est toujours le même Esprit.
Les fonctions dans l’Eglise sont variées, mais c’est toujours le même Seigneur.
Les activités sont variées, mais c’est toujours le même Dieu qui agit en tous.
Chacun reçoit le don de manifester l’Esprit en vue du bien de tous» [11]. Par ces paroles, l’Apôtre présente
une vision dynamique de l’Eglise, dynamique et en même temps
charismatique. Dans cette vision charismatique, se manifeste l’Esprit que
le Père, au nom du Christ, envoie sur les Apôtres. Tout a sa source dans les
divers dons de la grâce, qui rendent les croyants capables de réaliser les
activités, les vocations et les ministères variés, dans l’Eglise et dans le
monde.
Le regard de Paul est
universel, et, dans ce regard universel, nous retrouvons certainement une
partie de la vie de notre bienheureux: son charisme, sa vocation et son
ministère. En tout ceci, l’Esprit Saint s’est manifesté, pour le bien de tous.
La béatification du Père Damien sert au bien de toute l’Eglise. Elle revêt une
importance particulière pour l’Eglise qui est en Belgique, ainsi que pour
l’Eglise dans les îles de l’Océanie.
10. Il est providentiel
que cette béatification se déroule au cours de la solennité de la
Pentecôte. Dans la Lettre au Corinthiens, Paul continue ainsi: «Notre corps
forme un tout, il a pourtant plusieurs membres; et tous les membres, malgré
leur nombre, ne forment qu’un seul corps. Il en est ainsi pour le Christ.
Tous, ...nous avons été baptisés dans l’unique Esprit pour former un seul
corps. Tous, nous avons été désaltérés par l’unique Esprit» [12]. Cet Esprit a soufflé dans les
lointaines îles de l’Océanie, par le ministère du Père Damien; il trouve un
écho dans vos familles, dans vos paroisses et dans les Congrégations
missionnaires. Dans l’histoire de votre pays, se sont multipliées les œuvres,
pour le bien et la croissance de l’Eglise; il faut noter en particulier la
naissance de nombreuses congrégations religieuses qui ont eu un rayonnement
important, par leurs activités spirituelles, caritatives, intellectuelles et
sociales. D’autre part, des personnes douées de profonds charismes ont commencé
à réaliser de grandes œuvres. Il suffit de mentionner des fondations comme les
Universités catholiques de Louvain et de Louvain-la-Neuve, ainsi que la Jeunesse
ouvrière catholique (JOC); il suffit de se rappeler des personnes
comme le Cardinal Mercier, pionnier de l’œcuménisme, ou plus tard, le
Cardinal Cardijn, fondateur de la JOC, et bien d’autres par qui l’Esprit
agissait, pour le bien de toute l’Eglise, non seulement sur votre terre, mais
encore dans le monde entier.
11. Bienheureux Damien,
tu t’es laissé conduire par l’Esprit Saint, en fils obéissant à la volonté du
Père. Par ta vie et par ton œuvre missionnaire, tu manifestes la tendresse et
la miséricorde du Christ pour tout homme, lui dévoilant la beauté de son être
intérieur, qu’aucune maladie, qu’aucune difformité ni que nulle faiblesse
ne peuvent totalement défigurer. Par ton action et par ta prédication, tu
rappelles que Jésus a pris sur lui la pauvreté et la souffrance des hommes, et
qu’il en a révélé la valeur mystérieuse. Intercède auprès du Christ, médecin
des corps et des âmes, pour nos frères et sœurs malades, afin que, dans les
angoisses et les douleurs, ils ne se sentent pas abandonnés, mais, unis au
Seigneur ressuscité et à son Eglise, qu’ils découvrent que l’Esprit Saint vient
les visiter, et qu’ils obtiennent ainsi la consolation promise aux affligés.
12. «Gloire au Seigneur à tout jamais! Que Dieu se réjouisse en ses œuvres» [13]! C’est avec ces paroles du psalmiste que je veux conclure notre méditation, en ce jour solennel si attendu, au cours duquel le fruit mûr de la sainteté – le Père Damien de Veuster – reçoit la gloire des autels dans sa patrie. Frères et sœurs, soyez dociles à l’Esprit Saint, pour qu’à travers votre vie les hommes puissent découvrir le Dieu de qui vient tout don parfait!
[1] Io. 20, 21-22.
[2] Io. 20, 22-23.
[3] Act. 2, 5.
[4] Ibid. 2, 7-8.
[5] Origenis Homiliae in Samuelem, I, 11,
11.
[6] Ioannis Pauli PP. II Veritatis
Splendor, 102.
[7] Io. 16, 33.
[8] Cfr. Ps. 139 (138).
[9] 1 Cor. 12, 3.
[10] Ps. 104 (103), 1. 24. 29-30.
[11] 1 Cor. 12, 4-7.
[12] 1 Cor. 12, 12-13.
[13] Ps. 104 (103), 31.
Copyright © Dicastero per
la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
CHAPELLE PAPALE
POUR LA CANONISATION DES
BIENHEUREUX:
ZYGMUNT SZCZĘSNY FELIŃSKI
(1822 – 1895)
FRANCISCO COLL Y GUITART
(1812 – 1875)
JOZEF DAMIAAN DE VEUSTER
(1840 – 1889)
RAFAEL ARNÁIZ BARÓN (1911
– 1938)
MARIE DE LA CROIX
(JEANNE) JUGAN (1792 – 1879)
HOMÉLIE DU PAPE BENOÎT
XVI
Basilique Vaticane
Dimanche 11 octobre 2009
Chers frères et sœurs!
"Que dois-je faire pour avoir en héritage la vie éternelle?". C'est par cette question que commence le bref dialogue que nous avons écouté dans la page de l'Evangile entre un personnage, ailleurs identifié comme le jeune homme riche, et Jésus (cf. Mc 10, 17-30). Nous n'avons pas beaucoup de détails concernant ce personnage anonyme; de ces quelques traits, nous arrivons cependant à percevoir son désir sincère de parvenir à la vie éternelle en conduisant une honnête et vertueuse existence terrestre. Il connaît en effet les commandements et les observe fidèlement depuis le début de sa jeunesse. Et pourtant, tout ceci, qui est certes important, ne suffit pas - dit Jésus - une seule chose manque, mais elle est essentielle. En le voyant alors bien disposé, le divin Maître le fixe avec amour et lui propose le saut de qualité, l'appelle à l'héroïsme de la sainteté et lui demande de tout abandonner pour le suivre: "Vends tout ce que tu as, donne-le aux pauvres (...) puis viens et suis-moi" (v. 21).
"Viens et suis-moi!". Voilà la vocation chrétienne qui jaillit d'une proposition d'amour du Seigneur et qui ne peut se réaliser que grâce à notre réponse d'amour. Jésus invite ses disciples au don total de leur vie, sans calcul ni intérêt humain, avec une confiance sans réserve en Dieu. Les saints accueillent cette invitation exigeante et se mettent, avec une humble docilité, à la suite du Christ crucifié et ressuscité. Leur perfection, dans la logique de la foi parfois humainement incompréhensible, consiste à ne plus se mettre au centre, mais à choisir d'aller à contre-courant en vivant selon l'Evangile. C'est ce qu'ont fait les cinq saints qui sont proposés aujourd'hui, avec grande joie, à la vénération de l'Eglise universelle: Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, Francisco Coll y Guitart, Jozef Damiaan de Veuster, Rafael Arnáiz Barón, et Marie de la Croix (Jeanne) Jugan. En eux, nous contemplons la réalisation des paroles de l'apôtre Pierre: "Voilà que nous avons tout quitté pour te suivre" (v. 28) et la consolante promesse de Jésus: "personne n'aura quitté, à cause de moi et de l'Evangile, une maison, des frères, des sœurs, une mère, un père, des enfants ou une terre, sans qu'il reçoive, en ce temps déjà, le centuple: ... avec des persécutions, et, dans le monde à venir, la vie éternelle" (vv 29-30).
Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, Archevêque de Varsovie, fondateur de la Congrégation des Sœurs Franciscaines de la Famille de Marie, a été un grand témoin de la foi et de la charité pastorale à une époque très difficile pour la nation et pour l'Eglise en Pologne. Il s'occupait avec ferveur de la croissance spirituelle de ses fidèles, aidait les pauvres et les orphelins. A l'Académie ecclésiastique de Saint-Pétersbourg, il prit grand soin de la formation des prêtres. En tant qu'Archevêque de Varsovie, il invita avec ferveur tous les fidèles à un renouveau intérieur. Avant l'insurrection de 1863 contre l'annexion russe, il mit en garde le peuple contre une inutile effusion de sang. Quand pourtant l'émeute éclata et que les persécutions s'ensuivirent, il défendit courageusement les opprimés. Sur ordre du tsar russe, il passa vingt ans en exil à Jaroslaw sur la Volga, sans jamais pouvoir rentrer dans son diocèse. Il conserva en toute situation sa foi inébranlable dans la Providence divine et priait ainsi: "Ô, Dieu, protège-nous des tribulations et des inquiétudes de ce monde... multiplie l'amour dans nos cœurs et fais que nous conservions avec la plus profonde humilité la confiance infinie dans Ton aide et dans Ta miséricorde...". Aujourd'hui, que son don de soi à Dieu et aux hommes, empli de confiance et d'amour, devienne un exemple éclatant pour toute l'Eglise.
Saint Paul nous rappelle dans la deuxième lecture que "la Parole de Dieu est vivante et énergique" (He 4, 12). En elle, le Père qui est aux cieux, converse amoureusement avec ses fils de tous les temps (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 21), leur communiquant son amour infini et, de cette manière, les encourageant, les consolant et leur offrant son dessein de salut pour l'humanité et pour chaque personne. Conscient de cela, saint Francisco Coll se consacra avec acharnement à la propager, accomplissant ainsi fidèlement sa vocation dans l'Ordre des Prêcheurs, dans lequel il fit profession. Sa passion était d'aller prêcher, en grande partie de manière itinérante et suivant la forme des "missions populaires" pour annoncer et raviver la Parole de Dieu dans les villages et les villes de la Catalogne, aidant ainsi les personnes à une rencontre profonde avec Lui. Une rencontre qui porte à la conversion du cœur, à recevoir avec joie la grâce divine et à maintenir un dialogue constant avec Notre Seigneur par la prière. Pour lui, son activité d'évangélisation comprenait un grand dévouement au Sacrement de la Réconciliation, une emphase remarquable sur l'Eucharistie et une insistance constante sur la prière. Francisco Coll atteignait le cœur des autres parce qu'il transmettait ce que lui-même vivait intérieurement avec passion, ce qui brûlait ardemment dans son cœur: l'amour du Christ, son dévouement total à Lui. Pour que la semence de la Parole de Dieu rencontre un terrain fertile, Francisco fonda la Congrégation des Sœurs Dominicaines de l'Annonciation, dans le but de donner une éducation intégrale aux enfants et aux jeunes, de façon à ce qu'ils puissent découvrir la richesse insondable qu'est le Christ, l'ami fidèle qui ne nous abandonne jamais ni ne se lasse d'être à nos côtés, renforçant notre espérance avec sa Parole de vie.
Jozef De Veuster, qui reçut le nom de Damiaan dans la Congrégation des Sacrés Cœurs de Jésus et de Marie, quitta la Flandre, son pays natal, en 1863, à l'âge de 23 ans, pour annoncer l'Évangile à l'autre bout du monde, sur les îles Hawaï. Son activité missionnaire, qui l'a tellement rempli de joie, atteint son sommet dans la charité. Non sans peur et sans répugnance, il fit le choix d'aller sur l'île de Molokai au service des lépreux qui s'y trouvaient, abandonnés de tous; c'est ainsi qu'il s'exposa à la maladie dont ils souffraient. Il se sentait chez lui avec eux. Le serviteur de la Parole devint ainsi un serviteur souffrant, lépreux parmi les lépreux, au cours des quatre dernières années de sa vie. Pour suivre le Christ, le Père Damien n'a pas seulement quitté sa patrie, mais a également mis en jeu sa santé: c'est pour cela - comme le dit la parole de Jésus qui a été annoncée dans l'Evangile d'aujourd'hui - qu'il a reçu la vie éternelle (cf. Mc 10, 30). En ce 20 anniversaire de la canonisation d'un autre saint belge, le Frère Mutien-Marie, l'Église en Belgique est unie une nouvelle fois pour rendre grâce à Dieu pour l'un de ses fils reconnu comme un authentique serviteur de Dieu. Nous nous souvenons devant cette noble figure que c'est la charité qui fait l'unité: elle l'enfante et la rend désirable. À la suite de saint Paul, saint Damien nous entraîne à choisir les bons combats (cf. 1 Tm 1, 18), non pas ceux qui portent la division, mais ceux qui rassemblent. Il nous invite à ouvrir les yeux sur les lèpres qui défigurent l'humanité de nos frères et appellent encore aujourd'hui, plus que notre générosité, la charité de notre présence servante.
En revenant à l'Evangile d'aujourd'hui, à la figure du jeune qui présente à Jésus son désir d'être bien plus qu'un bon exécuteur des devoirs que lui imposent la loi, répond la figure de Frère Rafael, canonisé aujourd'hui, mort à vingt-sept ans comme Oblat de la Trappe de San Isidro de Dueñas. Même s'il était de famille aisée et, comme il le disait lui-même, d'"âme un peu rêveuse", ses rêves ne se dissipèrent pas devant l'attachement aux biens matériels et à d'autres buts que la vie du monde propose parfois avec grande insistance. Il répondit oui à la proposition de suivre Jésus, de manière immédiate et décidée, sans limites ni conditions. De cette manière, il entreprit un chemin qui, du moment où il se rendit compte dans le Monastère, qu'il "ne savait pas prier", le porta en quelques années au sommet de sa vie spirituelle qu'il relate avec une grande simplicité et un grand naturel dans de nombreux écrits. Frère Rafael, encore proche de nous, continue à nous offrir par son exemple et son œuvre un parcours attractif, en particulier pour les jeunes qui ne se contentent pas facilement, mais aspirent à la plénitude de la vérité, à la plus indicible joie que l'on atteint pour l'amour de Dieu. "Vie d'amour... C'est là la seule raison de vivre" dit le nouveau Saint. Et il insiste: "De l'amour de Dieu provient toute chose". Que le Seigneur écoute avec bienveillance l'une des dernières prières de Saint Rafael Arnáiz, lorsqu'il lui remit toute sa vie en suppliant: "Prends moi et donne-Toi au monde". Qui se donne pour ranimer la vie intérieure des chrétiens d'aujourd'hui. Qui se donne pour que ses frères de la Trappe et les centres monastiques continuent à être le phare qui permet de découvrir le désir intime de Dieu qu'il a placé dans tout cœur humain.
Par son œuvre admirable au service des personnes âgées les plus démunies, Sainte Marie de la Croix est aussi comme un phare pour guider nos sociétés qui ont toujours à redécouvrir la place et l'apport unique de cette période de la vie. Née en 1792 à Cancale, en Bretagne, Jeanne Jugan a eu le souci de la dignité de ses frères et de ses sœurs en humanité, que l'âge a rendus vulnérables, reconnaissant en eux la personne même du Christ. "Regardez le pauvre avec compassion, disait-elle, et Jésus vous regardera avec bonté, à votre dernier jour". Ce regard de compassion sur les personnes âgées, puisé dans sa profonde communion avec Dieu, Jeanne Jugan l'a porté à travers son service joyeux et désintéressé, exercé avec douceur et humilité du cœur, se voulant elle-même pauvre parmi les pauvres. Jeanne a vécu le mystère d'amour en acceptant, en paix, l'obscurité et le dépouillement jusqu'à sa mort. Son charisme est toujours d'actualité, alors que tant de personnes âgées souffrent de multiples pauvretés et de solitude, étant parfois même abandonnées de leurs familles. L'esprit d'hospitalité et d'amour fraternel, fondé sur une confiance illimitée dans la Providence, dont Jeanne Jugan trouvait la source dans les Béatitudes, a illuminé toute son existence. Cet élan évangélique se poursuit aujourd'hui à travers le monde dans la Congrégation des Petites Sœurs des Pauvres, qu'elle a fondée et qui témoigne à sa suite de la miséricorde de Dieu et de l'amour compatissant du Cœur de Jésus pour les plus petits. Que sainte Jeanne Jugan soit pour les personnes âgées une source vive d'espérance et pour les personnes qui se mettent généreusement à leur service un puissant stimulant afin de poursuivre et de développer son œuvre!
Chers frères et sœurs, rendons grâce au Seigneur pour le don de la sainteté qui resplendit aujourd'hui dans l'Eglise avec une beauté singulière. Alors que je salue affectueusement chacun d'entre vous - Cardinaux, Evêques, autorités civiles et militaires, prêtres, religieux et religieuses, fidèles laïcs de différentes nationalités qui prenez part à cette solennelle célébration eucharistique -, je voudrais vous adresser à tous l'appel à vous laisser attirer par les lumineux exemples de ces saints, à vous laisser guider par leurs enseignements pour que toute notre existence devienne un cantique de louange à l'amour de Dieu. Que leur intercession céleste et surtout la protection maternelle de Marie, Reine des Saints et Mère de l'humanité, nous obtienne cette grâce. Amen.
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20091011_canonizzazioni_fr.html
Father
Damien in 1878. Photograph taken by Henry Lyman
Chase (1832–1901). Previously miscredited to Menzies Dickson and
incorrectly dated as 1873, the year he went to Molokai. Boon, Ruben and Patrik
Jaspers (2019). "Father
Damien’s First Photograph at Kalaupapa Reveals Its Secrets". The
Hawaiian Journal of History 53: 151–157. Honolulu: Hawaiian Historical
Society.
Père Bernard Couronne, ss. cc.
« Je suis réputé attaqué moi-même de la terrible maladie. Les microbes de la lèpre se sont finalement nichés dans ma jambe gauche et dans mon oreille. Ma paupière commence à tomber. Il m’est impossible de me rendre encore à Honolulu parce que la lèpre devient visible. Bientôt ma figure sera endommagée, je suppose. Étant sûr que la maladie est réelle, je reste calme et résigné et je suis même plus heureux parmi mon monde. Le bon Dieu sait ce qui est mieux pour ma sanctification et dans cette conviction je dis tous les jours un bon fiat voluntas tuas. »
5 octobre 1886
Le Père Damien de Molokaï représente beaucoup pour les Amis des enfants. Il est comme un premier de cordée dans la grande aventure de l’amour de compassion. Il a aimé les lépreux de l’île de Molokaï dont il a choisi d’être le prêtre jusqu’à devenir lui-même lépreux et mourir de cette terrible maladie. Il représente même tant que nous avons choisi de mettre sous sa protection la Fraternité de ceux qui, parmi les Amis des enfants, se sentent appelés à consacrer toute leur vie à Dieu et aux pauvres dans l’Œuvre Points-Cœur.
La brûlure de l’appel
Sur le chemin qui le ramène à sa ferme de Ninde près de Tremelo, Frans De Veuster a le cœur gros. Ce solide paysan flamand vient de laisser son « Jef » au couvent des Sacrés-Cœurs à Louvain (Belgique) où il rejoint son aîné Auguste. Que va dire Anne-Catherine, son épouse, quand elle le verra rentrer seul ? Ces derniers temps, il est vrai, le comportement de Joseph qui vient de fêter ses dix-neuf ans en ce début de janvier 1859, a surpris les siens. Ses parents qui comptaient sur lui pour développer leur commerce de grains l’ont inscrit à l’Ecole moyenne de Braine-le-Comte. Il s’agit d’une « remise à niveau » nécessaire : à quatorze ans, Joseph a arrêté ses études pour aider à la ferme. Malgré le retard et son ignorance du français, le jeune homme intelligent et travailleur progresse rapidement. À Tremelo, cependant, on devine que quelque chose le travaille qui ne correspond guère aux projets des parents. Ainsi, en juillet 1858, à l’occasion de la profession religieuse de sa sœur Pauline – la deuxième de ses sœurs à choisir la vie religieuse – ne laisse-t-il pas percer, dans une lettre, son désir de « suivre » son frère Auguste entré chez les Picpuciens (nom usuel donné aux membres de la Congrégation des Sacrés-Cœurs dont la première maison à Paris fut installée rue de Picpus) à Louvain ?
À Noël de cette même année, les parents de Veuster doivent se rendre à l’évidence : leur fils choisit une autre voie que celle du commerce. « Ce jour [de Noël] m’a confirmé, leur écrit-il, que la volonté du bon Dieu est que je quitte le monde pour embrasser la vie religieuse… Vous ne me le refuserez pas, car c’est Dieu qui appelle et je dois obéir. Auguste m’a écrit que je serais certainement reçu chez eux comme frère de chœur, que je dois me présenter sans délai à son Supérieur pour la nouvelle année, pour commencer sous peu mon noviciat. »
Voilà qui est fait ! La brûlure de l’appel était trop vive pour ce cœur ardent. Il a l’âge de toutes les audaces, de toutes les folies, pensent les gens raisonnables. Il ne le sait pas encore ou du moins est-il incapable de l’exprimer : ce feu qui le pousse de l’avant est celui de « l’ambition de l’Amour ». Elle a sa source dans le Cœur de Dieu. Elle ne le laissera plus jamais en repos.
Anne-Catherine essuie quelques larmes : son « Jef » lui échappe… Elle se souvient. Il n’a pas encore dix ans. Sur le chemin de l’école, avec ses frères et sœurs, il rencontre un jeune mendiant qui, pour apaiser sa faim, se contenterait bien de l’un des gâteaux dorés… « Donnons-lui tout, lance Joseph, ce pauvre garçon est toujours dans le besoin ! » Les gâteaux disparaissent dans la musette du mendiant… Et le déjeuner des enfants De Veuster tourne court. Mais qu’importe, la demi-mesure aurait été bien plus lourde à digérer pour le petit Jef. Cœur sensible, caractère entier, Anne-Catherine l’a vu grandir et devenir un solide jeune homme « adroit et intelligent comme quatre… capable de soulever comme rien des sacs de cent kilos. » C’est sûr, un jour ou l’autre, Jef devait les quitter…
L’offrande du grain de blé
Le 2 février 1859, il prend l’habit et commence son noviciat. Désormais, il est le frère Damien. « Silence, recueillement, prière » sont pour lui les maîtres-mots de ce temps (18 mois) de préparation à la profession religieuse. En cours de route, alertés par son frère Auguste, ses supérieurs découvrent ses capacités intellectuelles et l’admettent parmi ceux qui poursuivront leurs études en vue du sacerdoce. Chaque jour, discrètement, il monte à la tribune de la chapelle où se trouve une peinture de saint François-Xavier. « Je supplie le bon Dieu, confie-t-il à son maître des novices, par l’intercession de saint François Xavier, de m’accorder la grâce d’être, un jour, envoyé en mission. »
Voilà un novice bien sérieux et plein d’idéal ! Damien, pourtant, n’a pas laissé sa gaieté naturelle à la porte du couvent. « Nous rions trop », s’inquiète son frère tandis que le P. Caprais assure qu’il n’a jamais rencontré « un caractère plus sociable et plus aimable ».
C’est à Paris (rue de Picpus), le 7 octobre 1860, qu’il fait sa profession religieuse par laquelle il se consacre aux « Sacrés-Cœurs de Jésus et de Marie au service desquels il veut vivre et mourir. » Après avoir prononcé leurs vœux, les profès se prosternent et on étend sur eux le drap mortuaire. Le Supérieur général qui préside la cérémonie prie : « Dieu, Toi qui veux que morts au monde nous vivions dans le Christ, guide Tes serviteurs sur le chemin du Salut. Que leur vie soit cachée dans le Christ… » Tandis qu’il se relève de la prostration, Damien comprend que nul ne peut aimer et servir comme Jésus s’il ne meurt à lui-même tel le grain de blé mis en terre… Ce rite laisse en lui une empreinte indélébile : aux étapes décisives de son existence, il y fera référence. Et désormais, quand nous l’entendrons évoquer ce qui doit mourir en lui, il nous faudra comprendre qu’il parle de naissance, de résurrection, de « vie en Christ »… Au bas de l’acte de profession, sa signature vigoureuse et appuyée traduit se résolution et laisse deviner une émotion intense. Avec l’ardeur de ses vingt ans, il offre sa vie dans un élan d’amour. Ce don sans retour le greffe sur celui du Christ pour devenir, en Lui, serviteur du dessein d’Amour du Père. La réponse de Damien à l’appel de Dieu n’est pas une décision froide et raisonnée. Ce jeune homme – comme on peut l’être à son âge – est amoureux. Et cet Amour est une passion. Le voilà prêt à supporter mille morts pour aimer à la manière de Jésus. La liturgie de sa profession est un rite nuptial : il décide de mourir à lui-même, de ne plus penser à lui… car, aujourd’hui, il épouse la Passion de Dieu pour le bonheur de l’homme ! « Leur vocation est toute de zèle et d’un zèle en¾ammé, aimait à dire le fondateur de la Congrégation parlant de ses disciples. Ils doivent se sacrifier par zèle pour le Seigneur : ils manqueront à leur vœu le plus essentiel dès le moment où ils voudront vivre pour eux seuls et ne pas travailler au salut de leurs frères. »
Sur ces sentiers évangéliques où, conduit par l’appel de Dieu, il rejoint toute une famille religieuse, la Congrégation des Sacrés-Cœurs de Jésus et de Marie, Damien se sent chez lui, irrévocablement.
L’urgence d’aimer et de servir
Le voilà, frère étudiant, d’abord à Paris et à partir du 25 septembre 1861 à Louvain. « Son amour pour l’étude est extrême, assure un de ses condisciples. Que de courage, que d’efforts pour apprendre. Ses progrès sont rapides car il a un esprit ouvert et un jugement solide. De plus, il possède une puissance de travail peu commune qui lui permet de prolonger ses veilles bien au-delà des limites ordinaires. Il passe avec aisance des études les plus sérieuses au repos de la récréation ou au recueillement. »
Malgré la monotonie et l’austérité de cette vie conventuelle son cœur reste en éveil. Chaque jour, à l’Adoration, il prend dans son intercession les frères et les sœurs de sa famille religieuse en mission en Amérique du Sud, dans les îles du Pacifique, en Californie… Quelle fête quand l’un d’eux s’arrête à Paris ou à Louvain et parle à ses jeunes frères de sa vie missionnaire ! Damien a des fourmis dans les jambes et « le cœur tout brûlant »… Mais il faut retourner aux études !
Son frère, ordonné prêtre le 28 février 1863, est sur la liste du prochain départ pour l’Océanie. Une épidémie de typhus éclate à Louvain et le jeune prêtre se dévoue sans compter au chevet des malades jusqu’au jour où il est, lui-même atteint. « Jamais il ne sera sur pied pour partir vers les îles », pronostique son cadet. L’occasion est trop belle, pourquoi ne partirait-il pas à la place de son aîné ? Avec le consentement de ce dernier, il rédige sa demande. Va-t-on le laisser partir alors qu’il n’a pas encore achevé son séminaire ? Quelques jours après, la réponse du Supérieur général lui parvient : il part !
Le moment est enfin venu pour Damien d’aimer et de servir à la mesure de son cœur totalement livré à l’Amour de Jésus comme celui de Marie !
Le temps presse maintenant. Nous sommes en octobre et le départ est fixé au 1er novembre. Notre futur missionnaire court à Tremelo annoncer la nouvelle. La famille se rassemble autour de son « Jef ». On parle longuement, le cœur serré. Chacun sait, ici, qu’on ne reverra plus ce fils, ce frère très aimé. C’est au pied de Notre-Dame de Montaigu qu’il tient à faire ses adieux à sa mère. « Le sacrifice est grand, écrit-il quelques jours plus tard, pour un cœur qui affectionne tendrement ses parents, sa famille, ses confrères et ce pays qui l’a vu naître. Mais la voix qui nous a invités, qui nous appelle à faire généreusement cette offrande de tout ce que nous avons est la voix de Dieu même. C’est Notre Seigneur qui nous dit comme à ses premiers Apôtres : “Allez enseigner toutes les nations, leur apprenant à observer tous mes commandements. Et voici que je suis avec vous jusqu’à la fin des siècles.” Jésus Christ est d’une manière particulière avec les missionnaires. »
C’est « avec un courage véritablement apostolique », note Damien que le 8 novembre 1863, il embarque avec six frères et dix sœurs de sa Congrégation sur le RW-Wood à Brême (Allemagne). Ils atteindront les îles Hawaï le 19 mars de l’année suivante.
Avant de quitter Paris, Damien a envoyé aux siens une photographie. Devant l’objectif il a pris l’attitude de saint François Xavier présentant la croix du Christ aux païens. Tout un programme !
Avec la fougue – les illusions et les rêves – de sa jeunesse, Damien va de l’avant. Les yeux fixés sur le Christ, il s’efforcera de faire de l’Amour en forme de service son métier d’homme.
À Kalawao
Kalawao, le village des lépreux, est en effervescence. Le Docteur Fitch, médecin attitré de la léproserie, arrive accompagné d’étrangers encore sonnés par la vertigineuse descente du « pali » 2 qui sépare la presqu’île du reste de l’île de Molokaï. La petite troupe se dirige vers l’église à l’autre bout du village.
« La porte de l’enclos de la Mission nous est ouverte par une troupe de joyeux gamins, raconte Charles Stoddard, professeur à l’université Notre-Dame (Indiana, États-Unis), ils sont tous défigurés par la lèpre. La porte de la chapelle est entrebâillée. En un instant, elle est ouverte et un jeune prêtre paraît sur le seuil pour nous souhaiter la bienvenue. Sa soutane est usée et décolorée, ses cheveux ébouriffés comme ceux d’un écolier, ses mains tâchées et durcies par le travail, le visage éclatant de santé, l’allure juvénile… C’est le Père Damien. »
« Son rire bruyant, sa sympathie empressée et le magnétisme contagieux de sa personne » 3 impressionnent l’universitaire et ses compagnons.
Une prompte charité
Lorsque Charles Stoddard lui rend visite en cette fin d’octobre 1884, Damien est parmi les lépreux de Molokaï depuis onze ans. Il y a débarqué un jour de mai 1873. Encore, un coup de tête, aux dires de certains. Cette année-là, Monseigneur Hilaire Maigret, vicaire apostolique des îles Hawaï 4, est venu bénir une église sur l’île voisine où il exerce son sacerdoce depuis une dizaine d’années. Le vieil évêque s’entretient avec ses missionnaires, rassemblés pour l’occasion, de la situation des catholiques lépreux de Molokaï. Depuis 1866, le Gouvernement de l’archipel parque les lépreux sur une langue de terre désolée de l’île. À cette époque, la ségrégation est la seule parade possible contre la maladie. Une fois les lépreux déposés sur le rivage, l’administration se préoccupe fort peu du sort des malades. Un missionnaire passe de temps en temps à Kalawao. C’est trop peu, pense l’évêque. Avant qu’il ait fini de parler, Damien bondit et se propose. Monseigneur Maigret, surpris, accepte. Le Père Damien séjournera quelques semaines à Kalawao, ensuite un autre missionnaire prendra la relève. Damien ne l’entend pas ainsi. Sa décision est prise, définitive comme toujours : « Joseph, mon garçon, se dit-il, en voilà pour la vie ! » Il n’emporte rien avec lui, si ce n’est son bréviaire et son chapelet. Ce samedi 10 mai 1873, Damien se hâte vers ses ouailles de Molokaï avec pour seul bagage, cette compassion de Dieu qu’il a épousée au jour de sa profession religieuse en mettant ses pas dans ceux de Jésus. « Lui aussi, dans sa divine charité, consola les lépreux, écrit-il alors, si je ne puis les guérir comme lui, au moins je puis les consoler. » Ni médecin, ni infirmier, il n’a que sa présence affectueuse et surtout les sacrements de l’Église à offrir à un peuple de moribonds.
Des épousailles dans les larmes
À Honolulu, les journaux protestants, habituellement peu amènes pour la Mission catholique, font l’éloge du Père Damien « qui volontiers s’est offert à vivre avec les lépreux et pour eux » et n’hésitent pas à le proclamer « héros chrétien ». Cependant les premiers contacts sont difficiles : « Leurs doigts de pieds et des mains sont quasiment mangés et exhalent une odeur fétide, leur haleine également empoisonne l’air, raconte-t-il. J’ai beaucoup de peine à m’y habituer… Ils sont hideux à voir », mais, ajoute-t-il aussitôt, « ils ont une âme rachetée au prix du Sang adorable de notre divin Sauveur ! » Alors, comment ne pas les aimer ! Il va de case en case. Il se fait tout à tous à sa manière un peu brouillonne, quelquefois impulsive. « Du matin au soir, je suis au milieu des misères physiques et morales qui navrent le cœur, cependant, je tâche de me montrer toujours gai afin de relever le courage de mes infirmes… Mon plus grand bonheur, ajoute-t-il, est de servir le Seigneur dans ces pauvres enfants malades, repoussés par les autres hommes. » Pas question, de laisser sa place à un autre ! Deux jours seulement après son arrivée à Kalawao, sa résolution est prise : « Vous connaissez ma disposition, écrit-il à ses Supérieurs, je veux me sacrifier à mes pauvres lépreux ». Quelques mois plus tard, il confie à son frère : « Je me fais lépreux avec les lépreux. Quand je prêche, c’est ma tournure “nous autres lépreux”. Puissè-je les gagner tous au Christ comme Saint Paul ! » C’est dire combien il a épousé au nom du Christ la cause des lépreux. La compassion, au prix du « sacrifice de sa vie », abolit les distances entre les êtres : Dieu y célèbre ses noces avec l’humanité.
Une dévorante fécondité
Les visites aux malades, l’accompagnement des mourants ne suffisent pas à l’ardeur dévorante du curé de Kalawao.La lèpre gangrène les corps, elle corrompt également les cœurs.
Les enfants, sans défense, en sont les premières victimes. Damien crée un orphelinat pour les jeunes filles lépreuses plus exposées. Celui des garçons suit peu après. « Depuis quelque mois, raconte-t-il à ses correspondants européens, j’ai un petit orphelinat de jeunes enfants lépreuses, dont une bonne veuve, non-lépreuse, elle, et déjà avancée en âge, est la mère et la cuisinière, notre cuisine se fait ensemble et nous partageons nos provisions… Il est plus ou moins rebutant à la nature d’être entouré de ces malheureux enfants ; mais j’y trouve ma consolation. »
L’œil avisé du paysan flamand ne tarde pas à percevoir d’autres besoins et pas seulement dans le domaine moral ou thérapeutique. Pour Damien de Molokaï tendre la main aux lépreux comme le Christ entraîne plus loin que la catéchèse, la célébration des sacrements ou les soins à domicile. Le meilleur remède contre la lèpre des corps et des cœurs lui paraît être de mobiliser ce qui leur reste d’énergie autour de projets collectifs au profit de tous. Les initiatives se succèdent à perdre haleine : rénovation et assainissement de l’habitat, adduction d’eau, construction d’une route, ouverture d’un magasin, sans oublier l’organisation de courses de chevaux et la création d’une fanfare. Pour autant, le missionnaire de Molokaï ne néglige pas sa tâche pastorale. Bien au contraire ! La lèpre inguérissable détruit les personnes. Toute l’action pastorale de Damien vise à leur redonner le goût de vivre. N’est-ce pas le meilleur remède ? L’église Sainte-Philomène qu’il a dû agrandir devient le centre d’une paroisse dynamique : des équipes s’organisent pour la visite des malades et l’adoration perpétuelle. Les enterrements quasi quotidiens n’ont plus rien de lugubre : la fanfare paroissiale en fait une fête. Cette terre, hier aride, aujourd’hui revit. Aimant les lépreux à la manière du Christ-Serviteur, Damien met en œuvre la puissance de la Résurrection dans ce lieu de mort. Seul l’Amour est capable de faire refleurir des déserts d’humanité.
Une Passion bienheureuse
Damien à Molokaï rend l’Amour plus contagieux que la lèpre. De partout dans le monde, on lui prodigue éloges et encouragements. Les dons et les bénévoles affluent L’humble missionnaire de Molokaï a inventé avant l’heure « l’humanitaire ». Grâce à lui, l’assistance aux lépreux devient une cause mondiale.
Gandhi considérait que « le monde de la politique et du journalisme ne connaît pas de héros dont il peut se glorifier et qui soit comparable au Père Damien de Molokaï. » Il conseillait à ses disciples de « rechercher à quelle source s’alimente un tel héroïsme ». Pourquoi Damien est-il allé s’ensevelir sur ce bout de terre inhospitalière au milieu d’individus repoussants ? La réponse vient, le jour où, en 1885, il se découvre lépreux après avoir longtemps espéré être épargné. « C’est bien par le souvenir d’avoir été couché sous le drap mortuaire, le jour de mes vœux, écrit-il à son évêque, que j’ai bravé le danger de contracter cette terrible maladie en faisant mon devoir ici et tâchant de mourir de plus en plus à moi-même. » Le secret de l’héroïsme de Damien de Molokaï a un nom : Jésus Christ dans le mystère de sa Mort et de sa Résurrection. Jésus Christ dans l’élan de cet Amour manifesté sous le signe du Cœur blessé.
Nul ne peut prétendre communier au mystère pascal de Jésus, vivre sa consécration baptismale, s’il n’a le cœur ouvert par et à la détresse de ses frères. C’est par cette déchirure que s’engouffre la Passion de Dieu pour l’humanité. Le lourd manteau de la lèpre le recouvre comme naguère le drap mortuaire de sa profession religieuse ; il prend l’habit du lépreux et se charge de la croix du Christ. « J’ai accepté cette maladie, confie-t-il à son frère, comme une croix spéciale ; je tâche de la porter comme Simon le Cyrénéen en suivant les traces de son divin Maître. » À la maladie viennent s’ajouter les angoisses de la solitude – il est longtemps le seul prêtre de l’île – les incompréhensions de ses supérieurs, les calomnies et les jalousies. Le voilà, enfin, identifié au « lépreux devant lequel on se voile la face ; maltraité, il s’humilie ; broyé de souffrance, il fait de sa vie un sacrifice, à cause de ses souffrances, à cause de son Amour, il verra la lumière » (Is, 53). Sur les sentiers escarpés de la compassion, dans le cœur de Damien, Dieu consomme ses noces avec les lépreux de Molokaï « pour qu’ils aient la vie en abondance ».
Le missionnaire le plus heureux du monde
La Croix semble l’anéantir. C’est alors qu’il écrit cette phrase incroyable : « La joie et le contentement du cœur que me procurent les Sacrés-Cœurs [de Jésus et de Marie] font que je me crois être le missionnaire le plus heureux du monde ! » Le bonheur des Béatitudes égrenées par Jésus paraît étrange à qui n’en fait pas l’expérience. Celui que l’Église, en écho à la voix du prêcheur de Galilée, proclamera Bienheureux le 4 juin 1995 puis Saint le 11 octobre 2009 sait où il puise cette joie et cette paix. « Notre ministère, note-t-il dans son carnet de retraite, demande un Amour tendre pour notre Seigneur, une force de courage inaltérable dans le travail et une patience invincible dans la souffrance. L’Eucharistie est le Pain des forts dont nous avons besoin. » À qui veut trouver, pour s’y désaltérer, la source de l’héroïque compassion du Père Damien et le secret de son bonheur, il faut le rejoindre dans son adoration matinale précédant la célébration de sa messe. « Sans la présence de notre divin Maître à l’autel de mes pauvres chapelles, je n’aurais pu persévérer à jeter mon sort avec les lépreux de Molokaï… Comme la sainte communion est le Pain de tous les jours, je me sens heureux ! »
Jour après jour, il y rencontre Celui auquel il a donné sa vie et de qui il reçoit tout. Jésus Christ est là dans la puissance de son Mystère de mort et de vie qui se saisit de ce cœur disponible pour aimer. Sur ce rocher perdu du Pacifique, inconnu jusqu’alors, la compassion de Dieu fait des merveilles. Lorsque le père Damien consumé par sa lèpre s’éteint le 15 avril 1889, il est aussi célèbre que Mère Teresa aujourd’hui. Par-delà le siècle qui les sépare une connivence naît entre ces deux champions de la compassion. Le 4 juin 1995, malgré la fatigue qui se lit sur son visage raviné par tant de souffrances sur lesquelles elle s’est penchée, la Mère des mourants de Calcutta est là, sur cette place de Bruxelles, au premier rang, assistant à la célébration de béatification du prêtre lépreux de Molokaï.
Elle entend le Successeur de Pierre proclamer : « Damien est de retour ! Comme un frère aîné, désormais configuré au Christ, il vous montre le chemin de la sainteté et le secret du bonheur ! » Ô toi qui lis ces lignes, puisse son témoignage et sa prière élargir ton cœur aux dimensions du monde. « C’est l’ambition que Dieu propose à chacun, l’ambition d’un Amour sans limites ! » (Cardinal J.-M. Lustiger).
1840 : 3 janvier, Naissance de Joseph de Veuster, au village de Tremelo, en Belgique.
1858 : Joseph entre à l’école moyenne de Braine-le-Comte (Belgique) pour y apprendre le francais.
1859 : 2 février, Joseph de Veuster prend l’habit religieux chez les Pères des Sacrés-Cœurs de Picpus à Louvain, en Belgique. Il prend le nom de Damien et rejoint ainsi son frère Pamphile dans le même Institut.
1863 : Départ pour les îles Hawaï, le 30 octobre
1864 : 4 mai, Ordination sacerdotale en la cathédrale d’Honolulu, à Hawaï.
1873 : Le Père Damien de Veuster est missionnaire dans les diverses îles de l’Archipel des Hawaii dans le Pacifique. Ouverture de la léproserie de Molokaï en 1866.
1873 : 10 mai, entrée du Père Damien à la léproserie de Molokaï.
1884 : En fin de cette année, le Père Damien se découvre lépreux. Alertée par la presse, l’opinion internationale s’émeut du sort des lépreux.
1889 : Le 1er avril, le Père Damien meurt lépreux.
SOURCE : http://www.pointscoeur.org/molokai/Damien_de_Molokai.html
Témoignage sur le Père
Damien de Veuster, l’apôtre des lépreux 1
Par Robert Louis
STEVENSON
INTRODUCTION PAR OMER
ENGLEBERT
Il manquait à Damien
d’être attaqué au point le plus sensible de son honneur sacerdotal.
C’est souvent de la
bouche édentée des dévotes rancies que sortent les pires calomnies contre le
clergé. Celle-ci vint d’un ancien sacristain. Le béat faisait la cour à la
veuve d’un lépreux, dont le Père utilisait le dévouement. Cette vertueuse
personne préparait ses repas, surveillait les fillettes de son orphelinat,
trayait les vaches de son étable. Elle repoussa les avances du dégoûtant
personnage, qui se vengea en clabaudant contre la veuve et le prêtre qu’elle
servait.
L’ordure fût communiquée
à la presse par le docteur Hyde.
Comme certaines feuilles
de canton rapetassent encore parfois cette grossièreté, il faut raconter ce qui
se passa.
Le pasteur Hyde, docteur
en théologie, [...] habitait à Honolulu une maison superbe. C’était un ennemi
fanatique des missionnaires catholiques. Tant que Damien vécut, le pasteur se
borna à diffamer sous le manteau.
Il ne prit la plume
qu’après la mort du Père, quand il apprit qu’à Londres, un Comité, présidé par
le Prince de Galles, se constituait pour perpétuer son nom.
Il écrivit alors à son
confrère, le docteur Gage, la lettre ouverte suivante :
Honolulu, 2 août 1889.
Mon cher Frère,
Pour répondre à votre
enquête sur le Père Damien, que nous avons fort bien connu, je vous dirai notre
surprise à la vue des éloges extravagants que font de lui les journaux, comme
s’il s’agissait d’un grand philanthrope et d’un saint. La vérité est que
c’était un homme grossier, malpropre, entêté et sectaire.
S’il alla à Molokaï, ce
fut de sa propre volonté, car personne ne l’y envoya.
Il n’habitait d’ailleurs
pas dans le quartier des lépreux, avant d’être lui-même atteint de la
lèpre ; mais il circulait en liberté dans l’île, dont un peu moins de la
moitié est réservée aux malades, et très souvent il était à Honolulu.
Il ne fut pour rien dans
les réformes et améliorations réalisées au lazaret, celles-ci ont été l’œuvre
du Comité et du gouvernement qui y pourvurent dans la mesure du possible, selon
les circonstances et les besoins.
Ses relations avec les
femmes ne furent rien moins que pures, et c’est à sa débauche et à son
laisser-aller qu’il dut de contracter la lèpre dont il mourut.
D’autres ont fait de
grandes choses en faveur des lépreux : nos propres pasteurs, les médecins
nommés par le gouvernement, etc., mais ceux-ci n’ont pas été mus, comme les
catholiques, par l’égoïste pensée de gagner ainsi la vie éternelle.
Votre, etc.
Cette lettre parut un peu
partout, produisant d’abord quelques-uns des effets que les ministres en
attendaient.
Pour y parer, de longues
et irréfragables réfutations picpuciennes 2 furent
élaborées et quelques-unes publiées.
Mgr K... lui-même prit la
plume ; il déclara qu’une enquête serrée l’autorisait à se porter caution
de la pureté de son missionnaire et assura que celui-ci, en seize ans, n’avait
point passé deux mois à Honolulu.
Le lépreux Hutchison, qui
était depuis 1876 à Molokaï, se fit l’interprète de tous ses compagnons pour
affirmer que le Révérend Hyde « n’était, des pieds à la tête, qu’un fieffé
menteur ».
Courte appréciation que
le Père Aubert développa et prouva en trois études critiques qui concluaient à
l’innocence de Damien et à la perfidie de son accusateur. Le docteur,
disait-il, avec saint Paul, « est un homme animal, incapable de rien
entendre aux choses qui sont de l’esprit de Dieu », et il en appelait à
Mme Hyde elle-même pour le démontrer. Le Père Aubert établissait aussi qu’aucun
ministre protestant n’avait jamais mis les pieds au lazaret, sauf le Révérend
Pogue, qui avait voulu qu’on parlât de lui dans les journaux. Son unique visite
avait, d’ailleurs, été rapide : « Il se pencha de loin sur quelques
malades, évita prudemment d’entrer dans les cases, et sous la risée des
lépreux, regagna son bateau à toute vitesse. » Il y avait bien eu un
pasteur au lazaret, mais c’était un Canaque lépreux qui y avait résidé parce qu’il
ne pouvait faire autrement. Les exploits de son zèle n’étaient, d’ailleurs, pas
tels qu’ils valussent d’être mentionnés.
* *
Puis, tout à coup, les
Picpuciens cessèrent de défendre leur confrère. Ce n’était plus nécessaire, car
Robert Stevenson venait de répondre au docteur Hyde. Après la réplique du grand
écrivain anglais, on peut dire qu’il ne resta plus rien de la lettre du
pasteur, et peu de chose du pasteur lui-même.
Stevenson vivait à cette
époque à Tahiti. Il passa de longs mois à Honolulu, séjourna huit jours à
Molokaï, fit une enquête approfondie, puis, écrivit une lettre ouverte qui fit
le tour du monde.
L’auteur du Maître
de Ballentrae, de L’île au Trésor et de tant de livres célèbres, a
voulu que ces pages fussent jointes à ses Œuvres complètes. Comme elles
n’ont jamais été traduites en français et qu’elles forment un témoignage absolument
indépendant, nous les analyserons complètement.
LETTRE DE ROBERT LOUIS
STEVENSON
AU PASTEUR HYDE
Sydney, 25 février 1890.
Monsieur, vous vous
souviendrez peut-être que nous nous connaissons, que nous avons échangé des
visites et avons eu des entretiens qui, pour ma part, furent pleins d’intérêt.
Vous m’avez témoigné une courtoisie que je veux reconnaître. Mais il est des devoirs
plus importants que la gratitude et des offenses qui séparent les amis les plus
intimes, à plus forte raison les simples connaissances.
Quand vous m’auriez
empêché de mourir de faim en me donnant plus de pain que je n’en puis manger,
quand vous auriez sacrifié le repos de vos nuits pour veiller mon père mourant,
votre lettre au révérend Gage me relèverait de toute obligation à votre égard.
[...] C’est un devoir
envers l’humanité que j’accomplis en prenant la plume, car son honneur exige
que, jusque dans les coins les plus reculés du monde, Damien soit vengé, et que
le public sache à quoi s’en tenir sur votre compte.
Je commencerai par vous
citer tout au long ; ensuite je passerai au crible vos assertions, tout en
tâchant d’esquisser le portrait du saint disparu que vous avez pris tant
plaisir à calomnier ; puis je vous dirai un éternel adieu.
Après avoir transcrit la
lettre du pasteur Hyde, Stevenson continue.
Pour bien répondre à
votre factum, il est nécessaire que je vous montre tel que je vous connais.
Pourquoi garderais-je des ménagements envers un homme qui ne respecte
rien ? Je suis donc heureux de pouvoir me servir d’une épée nue. Si mes
paroles froissent vos collègues que je respecte et affectionne, qu’ils me
pardonnent en faveur des grands intérêts que je défends. La peine qu’ils en
ressentiront sera d’ailleurs bien légère au regard de celle qu’ils ont éprouvée
en vous lisant. La faute n’est donc pas à moi. Ce n’est pas le bourreau qui
déshonore la famille humaine, c’est le criminel.
L’Église à laquelle vous
appartenez, qui est aussi la mienne et celle de mes ancêtres, avait une
situation prépondérante aux Hawaï. [...] Ce n’est pas ici le lieu de faire le
compte des succès et des échecs des premières missions, ni d’en rechercher les
causes.
Il faut néanmoins
déplorer que dans l’exercice de leur ministère évangélique, trop de ces
missionnaires se soient enrichis. Vous vous étonnerez peut-être d’apprendre
l’émerveillement qui s’empara de mon cocher quand il vit la grande, luxueuse et
confortable maison que vous habitez et le goût exquis qui préside à son
aménagement. Moi-même, j’aurais été fort étonné si, alors, on m’avait dit que
je parlerais un jour de ces détails. C’est vous qui me forcez de m’abaisser à
votre niveau. Mais le public, appelé à trancher notre débat, doit savoir que
votre lettre fut écrite dans une maison qui fait envie aux passants et provoque
leurs réflexions désobligeantes.
Vous n’avez jamais mis le
pied là où vécut et mourut Damien, sinon, splendidement installé comme vous
l’étiez, vous n’eussiez point parlé de lui comme vous l’avez fait. Votre plume
se fût arrêtée d’elle-même.
[...] Votre lettre est
inspirée par la colère, née elle-même de la jalousie. Vous êtes jaloux de ce
que l’héroïsme de Damien ait réalisé ce que votre Église et la mienne a négligé
d’accomplir. Vous avez du remords de cette inertie et de cette bataille perdue.
Je vous dirai – ce sera l’unique compliment que je vous ferai – que, de tous
les sentiments de votre lettre, c’est le seul qui ne soit pas entièrement ignoble.
Seulement, quand quelqu’un réussit où nous avons échoué, quand il va prendre la
place que nous avons désertée, quand il monte sur la brèche et tombe victime de
son héroïsme, le moyen de se réhabiliter soi-même n’est pas de l’accabler
d’attaques ignominieuses. La bataille était perdue à jamais. Par inertie, vous
aviez manqué l’occasion de bien faire. Il vous restait l’occasion de ne point
vous avilir. Celle-là aussi vous l’avez manquée. Vous pouviez garder le silence
et vous avez parlé. Pendant que, couronné de gloire, Damien, succombant à la
tâche, pourrissait sous un toit à porcs, vous, douillettement installé dans
votre home confortable, vous rassembliez d’immondes commérages pour les
répandre dans le public. C’était consommer votre déshonneur.
Stevenson prie le docteur
Hyde de ne pas se formaliser de ce « toit à porcs ». L’expression est
à peine exagérée. Celle « d’homme grossier et malpropre », n’est pas
non plus tout à fait fausse. Et l’écrivain se félicite de pouvoir substituer à
l’image conventionnelle que certains ont répandue, un portrait plus véridique
et non moins admirable du prêtre lépreux.
Vous me demanderez si
j’en suis capable ?
Hélas ! pour mon
malheur, le hasard a voulu que ce fût du Révérend Docteur Hyde, et non pas du
Révérend Père Damien, que je fis jadis la connaissance. Quand j’arrivai au
lazaret, Damien reposait déjà dans son tombeau. Mais j’ai interrogé ceux qui
vécurent avec lui. Certains vénéraient sa mémoire, d’autres, ses anciens
adversaires, ne cherchaient pas à lui tresser des couronnes. C’est des lèvres
de ces derniers que j’ai appris ce que je sais, c’est à leur témoignage peu
suspect que je m’en tiendrai.
Je suis donc allé à
Molokaï que vous n’avez pas visité et dont vous dites qu’un peu moins de
la moitié est réservée aux lépreux.
Stevenson décrit la
configuration physique du lazaret :
Cela vous permettra,
Monsieur, de le situer sur la carte et de voir s’il forme ou non la vingtième
partie de l’île.
Je vous admire de parler
si joyeusement d’un endroit où un attelage de bœufs, avec des câbles de navire,
ne réussirait pas à vous traîner. Ne m’en veuillez point de troubler la
quiétude dont vous jouissez rue Beretania, en vous le décrivant dans toute son horreur.
Le matin où j’y abordai,
deux religieuses débarquèrent avec moi. L’une d’elles pleurait en silence, je
ne pus m’empêcher d’en faire autant. Vous-même, je crois, auriez été touché.
Ces êtres déformés, cette humanité de cauchemar vous eussent, en tout cas, fait
regretter la douceur de vivre qu’on goûte, rue Beretania.
Quand on voit ces visages
qui sont comme des taches hideuses sur le ciel, ces débris humains qui
respirent encore sur leur lit d’hôpital, l’idée de vivre là est de celles qui
vous font reculer d’épouvante comme l’éclat du soleil vous force à cligner les
yeux. C’est l’enfer que de devoir passer son existence en ce lieu.
Je ne suis pas moins
brave qu’un autre, mais je ne puis me reporter au temps que j’y ai vécu – huit
jours et sept nuits ! – sans ressentir la joie de n’y être plus. Sur le
bateau qui me ramenait, malgré moi, ce refrain me poursuivait : De
toutes les contrées connues, c’est la plus désolée.
Cependant, ce que j’ai vu
– des hôpitaux bien installés, des maisons proprettes formant un nouveau
village, une colonie bien tenue – ne ressemblait plus à ce que Damien
découvrit, quand il s’éveilla sous l’arbre où il avait passé sa première nuit.
Il était seul avec la peste comme compagne ! Seul, il allait vivre le
reste de ses jours au milieu de cette pourriture humaine ! [...]
Abandonnant tout espoir, de sa propre main, il refermait sur lui la porte de
son tombeau.
Stevenson cite alors les
extraits suivants du journal qu’il tint à Molokaï. Ils constituent, dit-il,
« la liste des imperfections de Damien, tout ce qu’on peut vraiment lui
reprocher, car ce sont uniquement des protestants, ses adversaires, qui m’ont
renseigné. »
A. – Damien est mort. Là
même où il a tant souffert et travaillé, on ne lui est cependant pas très
reconnaissant. C’était un homme vertueux, me dit l’un, mais fort
touche-à-tout. D’autres déclarent qu’il avait pris les façons de penser et
d’agir des Canaques, ce dont il convenait et riait lui-même.
À ce que je vois, en
dépit de sa sincérité, il n’était pas très populaire.
B. – Quand mourut le
fameux sous-intendant Ragsdale, qui avait réussi à dompter la colonie rebelle,
Damien lui succéda un moment. Cet intérimat révéla son côté faible. Sa manière
était rude, le contrôle qu’il exerçait, insuffisant ; il y eut un relâchement
de la discipline, sa vie même fut menacée. Aussi s’empressa-t-il de
démissionner.
C. – Je commence à me
former une idée de son caractère. C’était, me semble-t-il, un paysan
intelligent, mais peu cultivé et sectaire ; d’esprit ouvert ; capable
d’accepter une réprimande durement donnée et d’en profiter ; d’un cœur
admirablement généreux dans les petites comme dans les grandes choses ;
prêt, tout en grommelant, à donner sa chemise comme à donner sa vie. Il était
indiscret, s’ingérant partout, ce qui ne le rendait pas de commerce
facile ; autoritaire, et cependant dépourvu de véritable autorité, car ses
enfants se moquaient de lui et c’était à force de gâteries qu’il s’en faisait
obéir.
Il avait la manie de
s’occuper de médecine et contribuait à ruiner, chez les malades, leur confiance
dans les médecins officiels. Si cela peut avoir quelque importance dans le
traitement d’une maladie pareille, ce fut là peut-être son plus grand crime.
L’homme se révéla parfaitement dans l’affaire des livres sterling envoyées par
M. Chapman. Il eut, un moment, l’intention de tout dépenser en faveur des
catholiques. On essaya de lui remontrer son erreur. À son habitude il écouta
d’abord avec une parfaite bonhomie et un entêtement absolu. Puis, quand il vit
clair, il reconnut loyalement qu’il s’était trompé et dit à son
interlocuteur : Je vous remercie. C’eût été du vol. Vous m’avez rendu
un grand service, et il modifia sa liste.
Ce portrait est-il
exact ? Il fut, en tout cas, tracé par un vrai psychologue qui était sans
parti pris et avait tous les moyens de s’informer. Si on ne le trouve pas assez
flatté, on se souviendra que les informateurs de Stevenson étaient protestants.
Pour en revenir à la
lettre de Stevenson, elle réfute, point par point, dans sa dernière partie, les
accusations du pasteur Hyde :
Damien était grossier.
C’est possible !
Vous êtes bien bon de vouloir nous apitoyer sur ces pauvres lépreux qui
n’avaient pour ami et pour père qu’un paysan ignorant. Mais vous, qui êtes si
distingué, que n’étiez-vous là pour les charmer par votre culture ?
Puis-je cependant vous rappeler que saint Jean-Baptiste n’était pas très
élégant, que saint Pierre, dont vous chantez les louanges en chaire, était un
pêcheur plein de rudesse et d’entêtement ? La Bible protestante l’appelle
pourtant saint. Le docteur Hyde, lui, n’a rien de grossier ; seulement, le
malheur a voulu qu’à cette époque il restât dans sa belle maison de la rue
Beretania au lieu de venir à Molokaï.
Damien était entêté.
Cette fois encore, je
crois que vous avez raison. Et je bénis Dieu de lui avoir donné sa forte tête
et sa volonté ferme.
Damien était sectaire.
J’ai peu de goût pour les
bigots, parce qu’ils n’en ont pas pour moi. Aussi, si Damien n’avait été qu’un
sectaire et un bigot, s’il ne s’était manifesté que par sa foi étroite et
intransigeante, je l’aurais soigneusement évité pendant sa vie et nous n’en parlerions
pas. Ce qui est admirable, c’est précisément que cette foi ait été chez lui un
pareil instrument du bien, et ait fait de lui le héros de l’humanité qu’admire
le monde entier.
Damien ne fut pas envoyé
à Molokaï, il y alla de son plein gré.
Est-ce que je lis bien,
ou y a-t-il une faute d’impression ? Est-ce là un reproche de votre
part ? J’ai souvent entendu nos ministres nous pousser à imiter le Christ,
dont le sacrifice fut si méritoire parce que volontaire. Le docteur Hyde
serait-il d’un autre avis ?
Damien s’absentait
souvent de Molokaï.
C’est sans doute qu’on
lui en laissait la liberté. Le blâmez-vous d’en avoir usé ?... C’est un
programme bien spartiate qu’on lui eût tracé rue Beretania ! Vous
trouverez peu de gens pour être aussi exigeants que vous !
Damien n’a été pour rien
dans les réformes établies au lazaret.
[...] Ceux que le préjugé
n’aveugle pas, reconnaissent, au contraire, que toutes les réformes doivent
être mises à son compte. Ses réussites et son héroïque acharnement eurent
raison de la négligence et du mauvais vouloir des officiels. Ceux-ci furent
contraints de le suivre et même de le dépasser. Avant lui, peu de chose avait
été fait. Il vint, et son sacrifice éclatant émut le monde entier. Les regards
de l’univers se tournèrent vers Molokaï. Il y attira l’argent, et surtout la
sympathie des cœurs. L’opinion publique exerça son contrôle sur le soin qu’on
prenait des lépreux. C’était tout ce qu’il fallait ; c’était le germe de
toutes les améliorations futures. S’il y eut jamais un homme qui créa des
réformes et mourut pour en assurer le triomphe, ce fut bien lui. Il n’y a pas
une tasse lavée, il n’y a pas une serviette blanchie dans le Bishop’s home,
actuellement si bien tenu, qui ne doive leur propreté à Damien.
Damien n’était pas pur dans
ses rapports avec les femmes, etc.
Où avez-vous pris
cela ? C’est là le genre de propos qu’on tient, rue Beretania ? Dans
cette belle demeure, qu’enviait mon cocher, c’est avec ces histoires
croustilleuses qu’on s’égayait aux dépens du pauvre paysan qui peinait sur le
rocher de Molokaï ?
Bien des gens ont visité
la léproserie ; aucun n’a, semble-t-il, recueilli cette rumeur. Moi, quand
j’y suis allé, on m’a conté pas mal de choses scandaleuses, car mes
informateurs, des laïcs, ne se gênaient pas pour parler. Pourquoi ne m’a-t-on
rien dit de cela ? Et comment cette histoire qu’on m’a cachée a-t-elle
franchi votre seuil ecclésiastique ?
Je vous avouerai pourtant
qu’avant de l’avoir trouvée sous votre plume, je l’avais apprise, et je vous
dira où.
Un jour, dans une
guinguette du port d’Honolulu, parmi des buveurs attablés, j’entendis un
Polynésien raconter que Damien avait contracté la lèpre par la débauche.
Ah ! j’ai vraiment plaisir à vous dire comment il fut reçu. Un de ces
buveurs grossiers se leva : Misérable petit s... ! s’écria-t-il, ne
sens-tu pas que, même si c’était vrai, toi, qui es un million de fois
au-dessous de cet homme, tu n’aurais pas le droit de le répéter ?
D’après ce que j’appris,
celui qui s’était dressé d’indignation devant le Polynésien et lui avait fait
rentrer sa grossièreté dans la gorge, ne valait pas cher, vous ne l’eussiez pas
invité à dîner. L’injure qu’il lui lança est de celles qui choquerait vos
oreilles. Pourquoi faut-il que ces oreilles délicates se soient complaisamment ouvertes
à la diffamation qu’il refusait d’entendre ?
Ah ! si du moins
vous aviez réagi quand on vous vous apporta cette immonde calomnie ! Comme
on vous pardonnerait d’avoir lâché un gros mot ! Que dis-je ! ce gros
mot serait aujourd’hui votre plus beau titre de gloire. Mais non ! le
presbytère de la rue Beretania est au-dessous de la guinguette du port !
Le docteur Hyde est moins dégoûté que le grossier buveur qui se leva en
protestant ! Le pieux pasteur a choisi d’entrer dans le rôle de l’ivrogne
polynésien. Celui-ci était saoul, sans doute, quand il calomniait et c’est son
excuse. Vous, vous ne l’étiez pas, quand vous avez écrit votre lettre ignoble
au docteur Gage, car le ruban bleu qui décore votre poitrine annonce que vous
êtes un abstinent, et c’est pourquoi vous êtes impardonnable.
Manifestement, vous ne
savez pas ce qu’on pense de vous dans le public. Je vais vous le faire
comprendre, en admettant, pour un instant, que votre histoire soit vraie.
Dieu me pardonne de
supposer que Damien ait chancelé ; que, dans son isolement, en proie à la
fièvre de sa lèpre naissante, cet homme, mille fois plus vertueux que vous et
moi, ait succombé à la faiblesse humaine. [...] En apprenant cela, les cœurs
les plus durs fondraient en larmes, les plus incrédules chercheraient un refuge
dans la prière. Quant à vous, tout ce que vous avez trouvé à faire, ç’a été de
vous précipiter sur votre plume pour écrire au docteur Gage.
Commencez-vous à voir qui
vous êtes et ce que vous valez ? Je veux vous le montrer plus clairement encore.
Vous aviez un père. Je
suppose que ce soit de lui qu’on vous eût raconté cette histoire, en l’appuyant
d’une véritable preuve. Est-ce trop attendre de votre pudeur que de croire que
la chose vous eût ennuyé, et que l’idée ne vous fût point venue de la publier
dans la presse ?
Eh bien ! moi je
vous dis que celui qui aurait seulement tenté de réaliser ce que Damien a si
magnifiquement accompli, que celui-là est mon père, le père du bon ivrogne de
la plage, et de tous ceux ici-bas qui révèrent la beauté morale et la vertu. Il
aurait été aussi votre père à vous, si Dieu vous eût fait la grâce de le
reconnaître.
Après cette lettre, on
n’entendit plus parler du pasteur Hyde ni de ses amis. Quatre ans après,
cependant, Stevenson étant mort, ils crurent bon de se rappeler à l’attention
publique en annonçant que l’auteur, sur la fin de sa vie, se repentait de ce
qu’il avait écrit. Ils comptaient sans la veuve de l’écrivain, qui déjoua la
manœuvre. Elle publia dans la presse que, loin d’avoir changé d’avis, son mari
était mort en regrettant de n’avoir pas été plus dur pour les diffamateurs de
Damien. Cette mise au point les fit rentrer dans le silence.
Omer ENGLEBERT, Le
père Damien, apôtre des lépreux, Plon, 1940.
(1) Dans son livre sur
le Père Damien, Omer Englebert rend compte de la lettre ouverte que Robert
Louis Stevenson a publiée en réponse à la lettre calomnieuse par laquelle le
pasteur Hyde salissait la mémoire de l'apôtre des lépreux de Molokaï. (Note du
webmestre.)
(2) L’Institut de
Picpus, dont Damien était membre, était appelé en religion « Congrégation
des Sacrés-Cœurs de Jésus et Marie », mais dans la pratique courante on
trouvait plus commode de l’appeler du nom de la rue parisienne où il était
situé. (Note d'Omer Englebert.)
San Damiano de Veuster, quando era già malato di lebbra
Father
Damien, taken in 1889, either late February or March, weeks before his
death by William Brigham at a side wall of the St. Philomena Catholic Church on
the settlement. Only two photographs exist from Brigham's visit, this and the
group photo of Damien with the 64 boys of the settlement
Also
known as
Apostle to the Lepers
Damian de Veuster
Damiano de Veuster
Father Damien
15 April (Father
Damien Day in Hawaii)
Profile
Son of a small farmer. Studied at
the college at
Braine-le-Comte, Belgium.
Joined the Picpus
Fathers on 7 October 1860,
taking the name Damien. Seminarian in Paris, France.
Volunteered for missionary work
while still in seminary,
and was sent to Hawaii. Ordained in Honolulu on 24 May 1864. Missionary on
islands where his single parish was
the size of all of his native Belgium.
Resident priest in
the leper colony
on Molokai where for years he worked alone to minister to the patients’
spiritual and medical needs. His work turned a wretched dump for the unwanted
into a real community with the best treatment of the day, and patients who
lived strong spiritual lives. He contracted leprosy in 1885,
and though severely crippled by the disease, Father Damien
worked until the end.
Born
3 January 1840 on
the family farm at
Tremeloo, Belgium as Joseph
de Veuster
15 April 1889 at
Molokai, Hawaii from leprosy
buried next
to Saint Philomena Church, Molokai, Hawaii
interred in a
basement chapel in
the church of
Saint Antonius, Leuven, Belgium in 1936
7 July 1977 by Pope Paul
VI (decree of heroic
virtues)
3 June 1995 by Pope John
Paul II
11
October 2009 by Pope Benedict
XVI
Additional
Information
Apostle
of the Lepers, by Mrs Lang
Heroes
Every Child Should Know
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
The
Holiness of the Church in the 19th Century
The
Roll Call of Honour, by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
—
Damien of Molokai, by May
Quinlan
Father Damien, by Father Reginald
Yzendoorn
The Lepers of Molokai, by
Charles Warren Stoddard
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
images
audio
Father Damien by Edward Clifford
Knight
of Molokai, by Eva K. Betz (Librivox audiobook)
Lepers of Molokai, by Charles Warren Stoddard (Librivox
audiobook)
SaintCast #147: Soundseeing in Molokai, in the footsteps of
Father Damien
video
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
Dicastero delle Cause dei Santi
nettsteder
i norsk
Readings
The Blessed Sacrament is
indeed the stimulus for us all, for me as it should be for you, to forsake all
worldly ambitions. Without the constant presence of our Divine Master upon the
altar in my poor chapels, I never could have persevered casting my lot with the
lepers of Molokai; the foreseen consequence of which begins now to appear on my
skin, and is felt throughout the body. Holy Communion being the daily bread of
a priest, I feel myself happy, well pleased, and resigned in the rather
exceptional circumstances in which it has pleased Divine Providence to put
me. – Father Damien
MLA
Citation
“Saint Joseph de Veuster%
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-joseph-de-veuster/
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION
FOR THE CANONIZATION OF
FIVE NEW SAINTS
ZYGMUNT SZCZĘSNY FELIŃSKI
(1822 – 1895)
FRANCISCO COLL Y GUITART
(1812 – 1875)
JOZEF DAMIAAN DE VEUSTER
(1840 – 1889)
RAFAEL ARNÁIZ BARÓN (1911
– 1938)
MARIE DE LA CROIX
(JEANNE) JUGAN (1792 – 1879)
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS
BENEDICT XVI
Vatican Basilica
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
"What must I do to inherit eternal life?". The brief conversation we heard in the Gospel passage, between a man identified elsewhere as the rich young man and Jesus, begins with this question (cf. Mk 10: 17-30). We do not have many details about this anonymous figure; yet from a few characteristics we succeed in perceiving his sincere desire to attain eternal life by leading an honest and virtuous earthly existence. In fact he knows the commandments and has observed them faithfully from his youth. Yet, all this which is of course important is not enough. Jesus says he lacks one thing, but it is something essential. Then, seeing him well disposed, the divine Teacher looks at him lovingly and suggests to him a leap in quality; he calls the young man to heroism in holiness, he asks him to abandon everything to follow him: "go, sell what you have, and give to the poor... and come, follow me" (v. 21).
"Come, follow me". This is the Christian vocation which is born from the Lord's proposal of love and can only be fulfilled in our loving response. Jesus invites his disciples to give their lives completely, without calculation or personal interest, with unreserved trust in God. Saints accept this demanding invitation and set out with humble docility in the following of the Crucified and Risen Christ. Their perfection, in the logic of faith sometimes humanly incomprehensible consists in no longer putting themselves at the centre but in choosing to go against the tide, living in line with the Gospel. This is what the five Saints did who are held up today with great joy for the veneration of the universal Church: Zygmunt Szczęsny Feliński, Francisco Coll y Guitart, Jozef Damien de Veuster, Rafael Arnáiz Barón and Mary of the Cross (Jeanne Jugan). In them we contemplate the Apostle Peter's words fulfilled: "Lo, we have left everything and followed you" (v. 28), and Jesus' comforting reassurance: "there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time... with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life" (vv. 29-30).
Zygmunt Szczęsny Feliński, Archbishop of Warsaw, the Founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary, was a great witness of faith and pastoral charity in very troubled times for the nation and for the Church in Poland. He zealously concerned himself with the spiritual development of the faithful, he helped the poor and orphans. At the Ecclesiastical Academy in St Petersburg he saw to the sound formation of priests and as Archbishop of Warsaw he instilled in everyone the desire for inner renewal. Before the January 1863 Uprising against Russian annexation he put the people on guard against useless bloodshed. However, when the rebellion broke out and there were repressions he courageously defended the oppressed. On the Tsar of Russia's orders he spent 20 years in exile at Jaroslaw on the Volga, without ever being able to return to his diocese. In every situation he retained his steadfast trust in Divine Providence and prayed: "O God, protect us not from the tribulations and worries of this world... only multiply love in our hearts and obtain that in deepest humility we may keep our infinite trust in your help and your mercy". Today his gift of himself to God and to humankind, full of trust and love, becomes a luminous example for the whole Church.
St Paul reminds us in the Second Reading that "the word of God is living and active" (Heb 4: 12). In it the Father who is in Heaven speaks lovingly to his children in all the epochs (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 21), making them know his infinite love and, in this way, encouraging them, consoling them and offering them his plan of salvation for humanity and for every person. Aware of this, St Francisco Coll dedicated himself eagerly to disseminating it, thus faithfully fulfilling his vocation in the Order of Preachers, in which he had made his profession. His passion was for preaching, mainly as an itinerant preacher, following the form of the "popular missions". Thus he aimed to proclaim and to revive the word of God in the villages and towns of Catalonia, thereby guiding people to profound encounter with God. This encounter leads to conversion of heart, to receiving divine grace joyfully and to keeping up a constant conversation with Our Lord through prayer. For this reason his evangelizing activity included great dedication to the sacrament of Reconciliation, a special emphasis on the Eucharist and constant insistence on prayer. Francisco Coll moved the hearts of others because he conveyed to them what he himself lived passionately within, what set his own heart on fire: love for Christ and surrender to him. To ensure that the seed of the word of God fell on good ground, Francisco founded the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Anunciata to give an integral education to children and young women so that they might continue to discover the unfathomable treasure that is Christ, the faithful friend who never abandons us and never wearies of being beside us, enlivening our hope with his word of life.
Jozef De Veuster received the name of Damien in the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. When he was 23 years old, in 1863, he left Flanders, the land of his birth, to proclaim the Gospel on the other side of the world in the Hawaiian Islands. His missionary activity, which gave him such joy, reached its peak in charity. Not without fear and repugnance, he chose to go to the Island of Molokai to serve the lepers who lived there, abandoned by all. Thus he was exposed to the disease from which they suffered. He felt at home with them. The servant of the Word consequently became a suffering servant, a leper with the lepers, for the last four years of his life. In order to follow Christ, Fr Damien not only left his homeland but also risked his health: therefore as the word of Jesus proclaimed to us in today's Gospel says he received eternal life (cf. Mk 10: 30). On this 20th anniversary of the Canonization of another Belgian Saint, Bro. Mutien-Marie, the Church in Belgium has once again come together to give thanks to God for the recognition of one of its sons as an authentic servant of God. Let us remember before this noble figure that it is charity which makes unity, brings it forth and makes it desirable. Following in St Paul's footsteps, St Damien prompts us to choose the good warfare (cf. 1 Tim 1: 18), not the kind that brings division but the kind that gathers people together. He invites us to open our eyes to the forms of leprosy that disfigure the humanity of our brethren and still today call for the charity of our presence as servants, beyond that of our generosity.
Turning to today's Gospel, the figure of the young man who tells Jesus of his desire to be something more than one who fulfils to the letter the duties imposed by the law contrasts with Bro. Rafael, canonized today, who died at age 26 as an oblate at the Trappist Monastery of San Isidro de Dueñas. Bro. Rafael also came from a rich family and, as he himself said, was of a "somewhat dreamy disposition", but his dreams did not vanish before the attraction of material goods and the other aims that the worldly life sometimes proposes with great insistence. He said "yes" to the call to follow Jesus, instantly and with determination, without limits or conditions. So it was that he set out on a journey which, from the moment when he realized at the Monastery that "he did not know how to pray", brought him in just a few years to the peak of spiritual life, which he recounts in a very frank and natural style in many of his letters. Bro. Rafael, who is also near to us, continues with his example and his actions to offer us an attractive path, especially for young people who are not content with little but aspire to the full truth, the ineffable happiness which is attained through God's love. "A life of love.... This is the only reason for living", the new Saint said. And he insisted: "All things come from God's love". May the Lord listen kindly to one of the last prayers of St Rafael Arnáiz, when he offered God his whole life, imploring him: "Take me to yourself and give yourself to the world". May he give himself to revive the inner life of today's Christians. May he give himself so that his Brother Trappists and monastic centres continue to be beacons that reveal the intimate yearning for God which he himself instilled in every human heart.
By her admirable work at the service of the most deprived elderly, St Mary of the Cross is also like a beacon to guide our societies which must always rediscover the place and the unique contribution of this period of life. Born in 1792 at Cancale in Brittany, Jeanne Jugan was concerned with the dignity of her brothers and sisters in humanity whom age had made more vulnerable, recognizing in them the Person of Christ himself. "Look upon the poor with compassion", she would say, "and Jesus will look kindly upon you on your last day". Jeanne Jugan focused upon the elderly a compassionate gaze drawn from her profound communion with God in her joyful, disinterested service, which she carried out with gentleness and humility of heart, desiring herself to be poor among the poor. Jeanne lived the mystery of love, peacefully accepting obscurity and self-emptying until her death. Her charism is ever timely while so many elderly people are suffering from numerous forms of poverty and solitude and are sometimes also abandoned by their families. In the Beatitudes Jeanne Jugan found the source of the spirit of hospitality and fraternal love, founded on unlimited trust in Providence, which illuminated her whole life. This evangelical dynamism is continued today across the world in the Congregation of Little Sisters of the Poor, which she founded and which testifies, after her example, to the mercy of God and the compassionate love of the Heart of Jesus for the lowliest. May St Jeanne Jugan be for elderly people a living source of hope and for those who generously commit themselves to serving them, a powerful incentive to pursue and develop her work!
Dear brothers and sisters, let us thank the Lord for the gift of holiness which shines out in the Church today with unique beauty. While I greet with affection each one of you Cardinals, Bishops, civil and military authorities, priests, men and women religious and members of the lay faithful of various nationalities who are taking part in this solemn Eucharistic celebration I would like to address to all the invitation to let yourselves be attracted by the luminous examples of these Saints, to let yourselves be guided by their teaching so that our entire life may become a song of praise to God's love. May their heavenly intercession obtain for us this grace and, especially, the motherly protection of Mary, Queen and Mother of humanity. Amen.
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20091011_canonizzazioni_en.html
Father Damien (Joseph de
Veuster)
Missionary priest, born at
Tremeloo, Belgium,
3 January 1840; died at Molokai, Hawaii, 15 April 1889.
His father, a small
farmer, sent him to a college at
Braine-le-Comte, to prepare for a commercial profession; but as a result of a
mission given by the Redemptorists in
1858, Joseph decided to become a religious. He entered the novitiate of the
Fathers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary at Louvain, and took in
religion the name of Damien. He was admitted to the religious profession, 7
Oct. 1860. Three years later, though still in minor orders, he was
sent to the mission of the Hawaiian Islands, where
he arrived, 19 March, 1864. Ordained priest at Honolulu
24 May of the same year, he was later given charge of various districts on the
island of Hawaii, and, animated with a burning zeal, his robust
constitution allowed him to give full play to the impulses of his heart. He was
not only the missionary of the natives, but also constructed several chapels with his
own hands, both in Hawaii and in Molokai.
On the latter island
there had grown up a leper settlement
where the Government kept segregated all persons afflicted
with the loathsome disease. The board of health supplied the unfortunates with
food and clothing, but was unable in the beginning to provide them with either
resident physicians or nurses. On 10 May, 1873, Father Damien, at his own
request and with the sanction of his bishop, arrived at the
settlement as its resident priest. There were then
600 lepers.
"As long as the lepers can care for themselves", wrote the
superintendent of the board of health to Bishop Maigret, "they are
comparatively comfortable, but as soon as the dreadful disease renders them
helpless, it would seem that even demons themselves
would pity their condition and hasten their death." For a long time,
however, Father Damien was the only one to bring them the succour they so
greatly needed. He not only administered the consolations of religion, but also
rendered them such little medical service and bodily comforts as were within
his power. He dressed their ulcers, helped them erect their cottages, and went
so far as to dig their graves and make their coffins. After twelve years of
this heroic service he discovered in himself the first symptoms of the disease.
This was in 1885. He nevertheless continued his charitable ministrations, being
assisted at this period by two other priests and
two lay brothers.
On 28 March, 1889, Father Damien became helpless and passed away shortly after,
closing his fifteenth year in the service of the lepers.
Certain utterances
concerning his morality called forth Robert Louis Stevenson's well-known
philippic against the Rev. Dr. Hyde, wherein the memory of the Apostle of the
Lepers is brilliantly vindicated. In addition a correspondence in the
"Pacific Commercial Advertiser", 20 June, 1905, completely removes
from the character of Father Damien every vestige of suspicion, proving beyond
a doubt that
Dr. Hyde's insinuations rested merely on misunderstandings.
Boeynaems,
Libert. "Father Damien (Joseph de Veuster)." The Catholic
Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton
Company, 1908. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04615a.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Christine J. Murray.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John
M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2023 by Kevin Knight.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.SOURCE : https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04615a.htm
St. Damien of Molokai
St. Damien of Molokai, or Father Damien as he is commonly known, was born
Joseph de Veuster in Tremeloo, Belgium, on January 3, 1840. His father, a small
farmer, sent him to a college at Braine-le-Comte, to prepare for a commercial
profession; but as a result of a mission given by the Redemptorists in 1858,
Joseph decided to become a religious. He entered the novitiate of the Fathers
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary at Louvain, and took in religion the name
of Damien. He was admitted to the religious profession, 7 Oct. 1860.
Three years later, though still in minor orders, he was sent to the mission of
the Hawaiian Islands, where he arrived, 19 March, 1864. Ordained priest at
Honolulu 24 May of the same year, he was later given charge of various
districts on the island of Hawaii, and, animated with a burning zeal, his
robust constitution allowed him to give full play to the impulses of his heart.
He was not only the missionary of the natives, but also constructed several
chapels with his own hands, both in Hawaii and in Molokai.
On the latter island there had grown up a leper settlement where the Government
kept segregated all persons afflicted with the loathsome disease. The board of
health supplied the unfortunates with food and clothing, but was unable in the
beginning to provide them with either resident physicians or nurses.
On 10 May, 1873, Father Damien, at his own request and with the sanction of his
bishop, arrived at the settlement as its resident priest. There were then 600
lepers. “As long as the lepers can care for themselves”, wrote the
superintendent of the board of health to Bishop Maigret, “they are
comparatively comfortable, but as soon as the dreadful disease renders them
helpless, it would seem that even demons themselves would pity their condition
and hasten their death.” For a long time, however, Father Damien was the only
one to bring them the succour they so greatly needed. He not only administered
the consolations of religion, but also rendered them such little medical
service and bodily comforts as were within his power.
He dressed their ulcers, helped them erect their cottages, and went so far as
to dig their graves and make their coffins. After twelve years of this heroic
service he discovered in himself the first symptoms of the disease. This was in
1885. He nevertheless continued his charitable ministrations, being assisted at
this period by two other priests and two lay brothers. Father Damien died
peacefully on April 15, 1889, on Molokai after sixteen years of undaunted
dedication. On October 11, 2009, Father Damien was canonized by Pope Benedict
XVI in a ceremony at the Vatican, thus becoming Saint Damien.
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saint-damien-of-molokai/
Joseph de Veuster (RM)
(also known as Father Damien)
Born January 3, 1840 at Tremeloo, Belgium; died April 15, 1889; declared
venerable by Pope Pius VI in 1977; canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 3,
1995.
Joseph de Veuster studied at the College of Braine-le-Comte, and in 1860 joined
the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (the Picpus Fathers), taking
the name Damien. While still a novice in a Parisien monastery, volunteered for
missionary work in the southern seas, and was refused because he was not yet
ordained, but when one who should have gone was prevented through illness,
Damien was allowed to go in his stead. His superiors need not have feared, for
of the ten monks who sailed for Hawaii in 1864, Damien's name and work to
outlive them all.
Damien was ordained in Honolulu two months after his arrival and was given a
remote parish covering an area as large as his native Belgium, in a barren and
volcanic land, where with no white colleague and no church building he began
his work. He worked for nine years to evangelize the peoples of Puno and
Kohala.
First he labored with his own hands under a blazing sun to build a chapel, then
visited his parish from end to end, journeying past the craters and lakes of
fire and through the sulphurous fumes or the mud which followed torrential
rains. Often he took his life in his hands, as when once at midnight he burst
into a secret burial cave where 30 natives were engaged in a ghoulish ritual.
Without hesitation he interrupted the ceremony, spilling their vessels of
animal blood and with angry scorn tearing to shreds their pagan symbols.
He is remembered most for his work among the lepers of Molokai, where the
authorities had established a self-supporting leper settlement to which all who
had contracted the high-contagious disease were compulsorily deported and where
under appalling conditions they were left to their fate. When the call came in
1873 for a priest for Molokai, with the proviso that under new government
regulations he must remain there for life, though whoever volunteered to go was
almost certain to contract and die of the disease, Damien pleaded for the post.
Within an hour he was on his way. At Honolulu he transferred to a ship carrying
50 lepers, and at Molokai he was greeted by his new parishioners, who lined the
beach in the last stages of disease and despair. He found only one hopeful sign
among the squalor of his new surroundings--a rude wooden chapel, where his
first act was to kneel in prayer. He spent that night in cleaning it, and was
disturbed by the drunken laughter of the dissolute--for it was a lawless
community, by the cries of the dying, and by the howling of the wild dogs that
devoured the dead.
There follows the epic of his transformation of this living hell. In 1885, at
the age of 49 he himself caught the disease, but crippled and deformed, he
carried on, refusing to be transhipped for treatment. Before he died, four
other priests and a band of nurses had joined him, and under his influence the
island of death became a civilized welfare community.
Though he was often
slandered during his lifetime, his holiness and dedication were quickly
recognized after his death. (Robert Louis Stevenson wrote an impassioned
defense of his character in 1905, which was used to support the canonization.)
His body was brought home, and this man who was born a peasant and had spent
his life, and sacrificed it, among the banished lepers of Molokai, was buried
like a prince in Antwerp Cathedral (Delaney, Gill).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0415.shtml
Blessed Damien de Veuster, ss.cc.
Martyr of Charity and Apostle to the Lepers
Servant of Humanity
Father Damien was born in Belgium on January 3, 1840. He was the last of seven
children. Damien was supposed to inherit the family business and, in
preparation, went to study business administration and to learn French. While
at school, he attended a Lenten Parish Mission and was inspired with a
vocation. It seems that from a young age, Damien was always "all or
nothing." Once he had decided on a vocation he wanted to join the
Trappists since this was the strictest form of religious life. However, when
visiting his brother at the Sacred Hearts Seminary in Louvain, he was persuaded
to join the Sacred Hearts. Since he hadn't studied Latin, he was first accepted
as a lay-brother. Throughout this earliest period of seminary formation, Damien
demonstrated an attraction to austerity that would persist throughout his life.
Despite a robust constitution, he ate little and, to discipline himself, he
slept on the floor. His brother tutored him in Latin and Damien was then
accepted as a priesthood candidate.
While Damien was in seminary, his brother was ordained a priest. Then his
brother was assigned to the Sacred Hearts mission in Hawaii. As he prepared to
leave, a typhus epidemic hit Louvain. His brother caught the disease while
ministering to the sick. Since typhus required a long recuperation, he wasn't
able to sail to Hawaii. This left one berth available for a missionary on the
ship. Damien, not yet a deacon, wrote to the Superior General asking for
permission to take his brother's place. The General gave his permission and
Damien left for Hawaii.
Upon arrival in Honolulu, Damien was sent to the windward side of Oahu to
complete his studies. In short order, he was ordained a deacon and then, on May
21, 1864 he was ordained a priest in Queen of Peace Cathedral, Honolulu. He was
only 24 years old. The Vicar Apostolic, Bishop Maigret, sent him to assist the
missionaries on the Big Island. Damien served there for 9 years.
Shortly before Damien's arrival in Hawaii, leprosy began to spread among the
native Hawaiians. Most probably, leprosy reached the islands from China by way
of the whaling and other commercial vessels transiting the Pacific Ocean.
Hawaiians, having been isolated for hundreds of years, had no natural
immunological defense against the disease. Once established, it spread rapidly
and infected all the islands. This created a crisis for the Hawaiian Government
and the King was persuaded to establish an isolation colony to stop the spread
of leprosy. The site chosen for this colony is a natural prison on Molokai. A
27 square mile, low lying section of the island was walled-off by 2000
foot-high cliffs. Throughout the islands, government agents identified people
showing signs of the disease and shipped them to a detention center in
Honolulu. At the center, Western doctors confirmed the diagnoses. Lepers were
then transshipped to Molokai.
The leper colony in Kalaupapa eventually included many Catholics who were in
need of a priest. Bishop Maigret was loathe to ask any one priest to go and
serve them because of the danger of infection and of being quarantined. At a
meeting of Sacred Hearts missionaries, he explained the plight of the Catholics
on Molokai. Every Sacred Hearts missionary volunteered to go. After more
conversation, it was agreed that four priests would rotate through the colony
in three month increments. Damien was the first to go.
During Damien's 16 years at Kalaupapa, many different factors contributed to
his becoming a Martyr of Charity and Apostle to the Lepers. For most of his
time on Molokai, Damien, was the only resident clergyman. Over 16 years, the
government became more and more restrictive in terms of who could live in the
colony. At first, spouses and servants were able to accompany those who had the
disease. Government officials were able to transit freely between the colony
and the outside. Over time, the decision was made that no resident could ever
leave the leprosarium. This applied to Damien who had been able to travel to
Honolulu to conduct business related to the settlement.
The Hawaiian kingdom was not rich and the leper settlement quickly strained its
financial resources. When the colony was established, only one dollar ($1) per
leper per year had been allotted to provide housing, food, clothing and medical
care. When Damien arrived, many sick people lacked even the basic necessities.
He became the advocate for the settlement to the government, built houses for
every resident, provided conventional medical care and experimented with new
medications, planted orchards and imported cattle, built an aqueduct to bring
fresh water into the settlement, expanded the pre-existing St. Philomena's
church, and established two orphanages (one each for boys and girls). The
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts in Honolulu promoted charitable support for the
settlement and became the depot for donated goods and services. As the
settlement gained notoriety worldwide, donations poured in from all over the
world. This was a great relief to the government which tried to provide for the
lepers as best they could.
Before Damien left Belgium for the missions, he visited a shrine to the Blessed
Mother. He asked her for 12 years of missionary service. It is interesting to
note that it was in his 12th year in the leper colony that he was diagnosed
with the most virulent form of leprosy. He lived and worked for 4 more years
before succumbing to the disease on April 15, 1889. He was 49 years old. On
Pentecost Sunday, 1995,Pope John Paul II declared Father Damien among the
"Blessed" and gave him the title "Servant of Humanity."
Father Damien's Feast Day is May 10, the day he arrived to serve the
Leprosarium in 1873.
SOURCE : http://www.sscc.org/pages/x_Damien/damien_bio.htm
Saint Damien - Servant of God,
Servant of Humanity
Ordained in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on May 21, 1864
Saint Damien de Veuster was born on January 3, 1840 in Tremelo, Belgium. He was
a simple man whose parents were farmers so he had a body that was square,
sturdy, and well-conditioned. Saint Damien was ordained a priest of the
Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary on May 21, 1864 in the
Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace two months after his arrival in Hawai‘i. He was
assigned to the Big Island where powerful bonds of Christian love developed
between him and his people.
In the meantime, the Hawaiian population was being plagued by Hansen's Disease
or leprosy as it was known at that time. Those infected were sent to Kalaupapa
Settlement on Molokai to remain forever. Saint Damien requested to serve in
Kalawao where the most desperate patients were housed. He arrived in Kalaupapa
on May 10, 1873 and eight days later he wrote to his provincial asking for
permission to stay permanently. His superior answered him by saying that he had
not made up his mind concerning this matter but "...You may stay as long
as your devotion dictates..." They were the most welcome words that he
could have received and he read the letter repeatedly allowing the words to
echo in his mind and in his heart. He longed to serve among these most pitiful
souls, the residents of Kalawao. It turned out to be a monumental challenge
with the possibility that he might someday contract leprosy, for in order to
communicate his love and concern it would involve direct contact with them.
Saint Damien's work among the patients knew no bounds and his primary concern
was to restore to them a sense of personal dignity and value. He ministered to
the sick by bringing the sacraments to them and by anointing those who were
bedridden. He washed their bodies, bandaged their wounds, tidied their rooms
and made them as comfortable as possible. He encouraged those who were well to
work alongside him by building cottages, coffins, a rectory, an orphanage for
the children and repairing the road. He also taught them to farm, play musical
instruments, and sing. Saint Damien was everywhere in the settlement and even
on "topside" which was part of his parish. He touched their hearts
with his sincere desire to serve them and slowly their sense of dignity which
was all but destroyed by their illness was restored.
His own life was surrounded by horror - the sights of the ravaged bodies and
faces of those in the advanced stages of leprosy and the obnoxious smells were
overpowering but he accepted them. Even before he was diagnosed as having
leprosy he used the term "we lepers" in his sermons for he wished to
identify with them as a means of bringing them to Christ. He refused to let
their lives be swept into despair.
Saint Damien was a man with a quick smile. He was a headstrong individual but
no one could deny that he was a man with a warm and tender heart. He was quick
to forgive and never bore a grudge. His face was full of kindness and he was
totally unselfish in his work. These qualities, as well as his practical nature
and fluent command of the Hawaiian language enabled him to be held in high
esteem by the residents.
As the years progressed, word of Saint Damien's deeds attracted worldwide
attention. Food, medicine, clothing, and funds were sent from many countries to
assist his mission but the need was always there for more. There were news
articles written in many countries, notably Europe and America, about his
compassionate and charitable work.
Saint Damien died on April 15, 1889 at Kalawao, Molokai where he devoted much
of his life in service of God. Shortly after his death, a monument was erected
in Kalaupapa to honor his memory with this inscription. "Greater love hath
no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." His feast
day is celebrated on May 10.
SOURCE : http://cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/damien.htm
La
tomba di padre Damiano nel giorno della sua sepoltura, aprile del 1889
Father
Damien's grave on the day he was buried in April 1889.
DAMIEN THE LEPER
Introduction
Every age has its stories of heroic men and women whose faith challenges them
to reach out in heroic love and service to alleviate the sufferings of their
brothers and sisters.
This is the story of one such hero. He was born Joseph De Veuster, a Belgian
farm boy. He is known now to all the world as Damien the Leper. His bronze
figure graces the statuary hall in Washington, D.C.
Damien's compassion for the lepers led him to spend sixteen years in the
"living graveyard that was Molokai," where he died at the age of
forty-nine in service to people suffering from the terrible disease of leprosy.
Damien never lost sight of his life's purpose, despite the many difficulties
and sufferings he bore. It was only his faith that enabled him to endure the
trials that his life's work caused him.
We hope that you enjoy this story and find it a source of strength and
encouragement.
The Fateful Words...
He read the letter, over and over. "You may stay as long as your devotion
dictates...." The words exploded against his mind and shook his heart.
Again, and once again, he read them. They were the most welcome words he had
ever received.
He stood and listened to the sounds about him. Soft, cool breezes gently swept
across his island. The palm trees along the shore bowed before the refreshing
winds and clapped their great fronds in joy. Bright morning sunlight played
over the trees, turning the leaves, now silver, blue. The Pacific waves rolled
tranquilly against the rocky shores. The green and white waters rose and fell;
the ocean's motion never stopped, day or night. The restless power locked in
the Pacific's waves mirrored the surging energies locked within his own heart.
He was a priest—a simple man. His parents were Belgian farmers. Nature had
prepared his square, sturdy, and well-developed body to till the soil. God had
summoned him to labor in a different field—to cultivate a more violent harvest.
The words he now read hammered home this summons.
The letter, from his superiors, gave the priest, Father Damien De Veuster,
permission to stay where he was and where he, in the springtime of 1873, longed
with all his heart to be. On Molokai, one of the Hawaiian Islands. Father De
Veuster, thirty-three, had already served nine years in the Hawaiian missions. He
was a member of the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts, who had pioneered Catholicism
in the islands. These religious had faced and overcome enormous problems since
their arrival in 1827. Now they faced a new and frightful challenge, a leprosy
epidemic. To halt the spread of the dread disease, the Hawaiian government had
isolated several hundred lepers at Kalawao, on the island of
Molokai. Catholic lepers there begged for a priest. Many missioners, despite
danger of contagion, had offered to go. The Bishop, Louis Maigret, and Father
Modeste, the religious superior of the Sacred Hearts Fathers, had selected
Damien to begin the mission. Both were reluctant to put such a crushing burden
pemanently on this young priest's square and sturdy shoulders. The Bishop and Father
Modeste knew the bitter work that had to be done; they hesitated to demand that
this one man do so much of it.
Thirteen years before, while a student for the priesthood in France, Damien had
symbolically faced and accepted death. At the public profession of his final
vows, as was the religious custom of the times, his superiors covered him with
a funeral pall. He had truly believed then that only by accepting death would
he discover life. Now, thirteen years later, he was putting his dedication to the
test. He sought to serve the most pitiful of all men, the lepers of Molokai. By
so doing, in the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, "he shut to, with his
own hands, the doors of his own sepulchre."
Men Discover Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands, one of the most beautiful places in all of God's
creation, were one of the last places on earth that men discovered. God was
saving, it seems, his choicest gift for the last. Polynesian explorers, the
first men to find the islands, settled there about eight centuries after
Christ's birth. A thousand years later, during the American Revolution, British
sailors, under Captain Cook, were the first Europeans to reach this paradise.
Europeans found about three hundred thousand people on the islands. The
natives, cheerful, unspoled, easy-going unless provoked, were generous,
delighted in sports and athletic contests. A highly organized native religion
dominated every aspect of Hawaiian life.
Living was easy in the islands. The people readily obtained fish, fruit,
vegetables, and meat. Hawaiians lived in little homes constructed of palm
branches. Daily life was pleasant, cheerful, uncomplicated.
As contact with the outside world increased, the Hawaiians, with no immunity to
European and Asiatic diseases, suffered immensely. Smallpox, influenza,
cholera, tuberculosis, venereal disease, struck savagely and pitilessly. Within
a hundred years of the white man's arrival, the native population dropped from
three hundred thousand to fifty thousand people. In the long litany of ills decimating
the Hawaiian people, none was more vicious than leprosy. This hideous disease
cut an evil swath through the defenseless natives of our planet's Last Eden.
Leprosy
One of man's oldest curses, leprosy for centuries defied cure or remedy. To
prevent its spread, Moses had separated and isolated Jews afflicted by it from
the community. Roman legions and, later, Crusaders brought the disease to
Europe. Authorities, having no better remedy than Moses, ordered lepers
segregated from the cities and towns. Lepers were ordered to wear bells around
their necks to warn people of their approach. By the year 1000, monks had
constructed more than two thousand leper hospitals in Europe. They were called
Lazar houses after the Gospel's poor leper, Lazarus. Friars often lived in
hidden leper settlements, serving the outcasts' physical and spiritual needs.
Although the disease ran its course through western Europe, by the turn of the
nineteenth century the memory of it remained sunk in the white man's brain like
the terror of a nightmare. Even today the word "leprosy" evokes in
the minds and hearts of people who have never seen a leper, the strangest
sensations of fear and repulsion.
The first authenticated case of leprosy appeared in Hawaii in 1840. Within
thirty years the disease reached epidemic proportions among the defenseless
Hawaiians. Authorities, helpless and ill-equipped, adopted the only policy they
knew, the policy of segregation. In 1868, the Hawaiian government established a
leper settlement on the island of Molokai, and officials were dispatched to
round up the lepers. Ideally equipped by nature for its grim purposes, Molokai
became an island of sorrow in the wild beauty of the Hawaiian chain. Its very
name struck terror in the Hawaiian heart.
Hawaiians gave little thought to tommorow; and had no worries about robbers,
since village families held all things in common. They ate, slept and worked on
the family straw mat.
Karokina
Her name was Karokina. Mother of three children, she lived in a tiny fishing
village on the island of Hawaii. Her life was simple, serene; her home, a
lean-to built of palm branches. Affection, laughter and song characterized
Karokina's home life. She loved to watch the sun cast down silver jewels of
light upon the green ocean. The gods were close to Karo. Every so often, Pele,
goddess of fire, whose footsteps the medicine men declared had formed their
islands, hurled smoke and fire from a nearby volcano. Then Karo knew fear. The
blue skies turned to black, the ocean hissed as hot lava and firestones poured
into its bosom. The sun and moon hid their faces behind the great clouds of
steam that rose from the heaving seas.
A lake of fire springs from the heart of a Hawaiian mountain. Centuries after
volcanic explosions had formed the islands, their people were blessed by the
fire of love in one man's heart.
Then the winds cleared the air, and Karo's fear passed. Karo loved her islands
most in the spring, when the poinciana trees burst into masses of scarlet,
orange and gold bossoms, and pink flowers popped out from the green canopies of
the monkey pod trees. It was during a springtime of great joy and beauty that
white men from Honolulu came to Karo's village. They were searching for natives
who had that strange disease white men called leprosy.
Karo had the illness. She knew a few years ago, when her hand brushed against a
smoldering log. Karo felt no pain. The terrible illness had begun its frightful
work. Her face's gentle features gradually withered. Her eyes narrowed, and her
ears enlarged. The disease ate her energy, and she knew fever and weakness.
Karo's husband and children sorrowed at her plight and did all they could to
comfort her. They, of course, kept her at home. Her husband heard that the
government was rounding up lepers and sending them to Molokai. "How
cruel," he complained to his neighbors, "to separate mother or father
or children from home when they need the family most. If the white man wishes
to treat his sick differently than Hawaiians do, why doesn't he go away and
leave us alone? He forced his cruel illness on us and now he is forcing his
brutal cures."
There were other lepers in Karo's village. Some heard the white man coming and
hid in the great volcano caves. Others found hiding places and holes in the
jungle floor. But for Karo it was too late. The hunters took her at gunpoint to
a government schooner. Her husband tried to stop them, but he was helpless.
Karo's children wailed and wept piteous tears of despair. White men spoke of
their god as a god of mercy. Yet they showed no mercy.
Karo's captors took her first to Honolulu, where they herded her together with
lepers from other islands. Some where more disfigured and ill than she was.
Many could not walk; others could barely crawl. But the police forced them all
on board the ship that was to take them to Molokai in this February of 1873.
The ship's crew looked on the unfortunates with horror.
After several hours on the open sea, the schooner, full of weeping, crying and
terrorized sick, arrived off the Molokai colony's shore. There was no harbor,
no dock. The captain and crew, afraid to bring the vessel too close to the
rocky beach, drove and hurled the lepers into the surf. Some drowned. Others
miraculously survived. On torn and bleeding feet they stumbled up on the harsh
volcanic rock, numb and cold.
There was no one to greet them. No one to warm them. Many survived the pounding
surf only to die from exhaustion on the inhospitable beach. Karo dragged
herself to shore. Eventually she found a little cave to shelter her shivering
body. Wild fruit helped nourish her. There was little food. She soon joined
another group of lepers. They told her to forget home. All of them were
condemned. They might as well reach for whatever wild joys they could possess
before merciful death claimed them.
"In this place," a man advised Karo, "there is no law."
Sexual immorality, brawling, drunkenness, robberies, and orgiastic dancing,
fueled by liquor made from tree roots, characterized the lives of lepers.
Nobody cared. When lepers died, their poor bodies were thrown into graves so
shallow that pigs and dogs grew fat feasting on their flesh.
Karo despaired and died.
The Outside World
Between 1866 and 1873, seven hundred and ninety-seven lepers arrived at
Molokai. Almost half died. Public indignation mounted. The Board of Health,
which natives wryly dubbed the "Board of Death," sought to improve
conditions. The government granted an increase in leper food and clothing
rations, and appointed a superintendent to restore law and order to the colony.
The press kept up a drum-fire of complaints about the ill-treatment and
disorder of Molokai. In April, 1873, Walter Gibson, a colorful and clever
politician, wrote in Nuhou, a Hawaiian newspaper; "If a noble Christian
priest, preacher or Sister should be inspired to go and sacrifice a life to
console these poor wretches, that would be a royal soul to shine forever on a
throne reared by human love."
Despite the fulsome prose, Gibson was trumpeting a call, a challenge. There
were indeed several men in the islands, only too willing to respond. They were
good shepherds, searching for a flock for which they could lay down their
lives. They were priests and Brothers of the Sacred Hearts. One of them was
Father Damien De Veuster. Call it presentiment, prophecy, or anything you wish,
but Damien had known for some time that he would eventually go to Molokai. In
April, 1873, he wrote his Father General in Europe about his mission in Kohala,
Hawaii, where he was stationed. "Many of our Christians here at Kohala
also had to go to Molokai. I can only attribute to God an undeniable feeling
that soon I shall join them.... Eight years of service among Christians you
love and love you have tied us by powerful bonds." And join them he did.
In early May, 1873, Father Damien's superiors approved his request to serve at
the leper settlement.
The New Pastor
Bishop Maigret accompanied Damien to Molokai. The Bishop proudly presented the
new pastor to the Catholic lepers. The joy of their welcome and Damien's excitement
upon finally arriving at Molokai, dimmed the fact that he carried with him
little more than his Breviary. Sacred Hearts religious previously had built a
tiny chapel on Molokai, and had dedicated it to St. Philomena. For his first
rectory, Damien used the shelter of a pandanus tree, beside the little church.
The pandanus offered hospitality to all passing creatures, centipedes,
scorpions, ants, roaches and, finally, fleas. Cats, dogs and sheep found
shelter under the tree's kind branches. Damien settled in comfortably. A large
rock on the side of the tree served as his dinner table. During these first
weeks the new missionary took normal precautions to avoid contagion.
With the lepers' help, Damien added the rear wing to Molokai's chapel. He also
built the rectory (left). The priest was a skillful carpenter. No construction
project daunted him.
But if Damien protected his body, there was nothing he could do to protect his
eyes or ears or sense of smell from the shock of contact with the leper. Here at
Kalawao, the priest had opened a door to hell. Victims of the disease were all
about him, their bodies in ruins, their faces ravaged and smashed by the
coracious bacillus of leprosy. The constant coughing of the sick was the
colony's most familiar sound. Gathering up his enormous resources of courage,
Damien began to approach the lepers one by one. Their breath was fetid; their
bodies, already in a state of corruption, exuded a most foul odor. One of his
first visits was to a young girl. He had found that worms had eaten her whole
side.
"Many a time," he wrote as he recalled these first days, "in
fulfilling my priestly duties at the lepers' homes, I have been obliged, not
only to close my nostrils, but to remain outside to breathe fresh air. To
counteract the bad smell, I got myself accustomed to the use of tobacco. The
smell of the pipe preserved me somewhat from carrying in my clothes the
obnoxious odor of our lepers."
Molokai was a colony of shame, peopled by lost souls and smashed bodies.
Medical care was minimal. Even if decent care were provided, Hawaiians
distrusted the white man's medicine, preferring their own witch doctors, or
kahuna. White doctors sporadically appeared at government expense. These
physicians lived in terror of contagion. One doctor examined lepers' wounds by
lifting their bandages with his cane. Another left medicine on a table where
lepers could collect it without touching him.
Life was grotesque on Molokai. Ambrose Hutchinson, a veteran of half a century
in the colony, describes an incident in the settlement's early days. "A
man, his face partly covered below the eyes, with a white rag or handkerchief
tied behind his head, came out from the house that stood near the road. He was
pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with a bundle, which, at first, I mistook for
soiled rags. He wheeled it across the yard to a small windowless shack.... The
man then half turned over the wheelbarrow and shook it. The bundle (instead of
rags it was a human being) rolled out on the floor with an agonizing groan. The
fellow turned the wheelbarrow around and wheeled it away, leaving the sick man
lying there helpless. After a while the dying man raised and pushed himself in
the doorway; with his body and his legs stretched out, he lay there face
down."
Molokai was a chamber of horrors. But the Hawaiian government (which at this
time was independent of the United States and headed by native royalty) had not
planned it that way.
Plans Gone Awry
The Board of Health had put much thought into the leper settlement's establishment.
It chose Molokai because its geography was ideal for enforcing the isolation
and segregation policy. Like other Hawaiian islands, Molokai was formed by a
volcanic eruption from the ocean floor. As the fires under the crust of the
earth exploded upward, Molokai rose out of the sea, a spectacular palisade
reaching three to four thousand feet above the ocean. A later eruption within
the high island poured hot lava into the sea. The volcanic flow piled up until
it formed a shelf at the base of Molokai's high cliffs. This peninsula sticks
out into the ocean like a dirty brown furrowed tongue. There is no way to leave
the peninsula except to plunge into the ocean or to climb up the huge vertical
precipice surrounding the peninsula on three sides. The Board of Health knew
that the peninsula was a natural prison, for no one suffering the ravages of
leprosy could possibly scale the cliffs surrounding the colony. Most of
Molokai's non-leper population lived on the high plateau which embraces more
than ninety percent of the island's land area. The leper colony was established
at Kalawao on a part of the peninsula described above.
Molokai's first lepers lived on, died on, and were buried in their mats.
Authorities expected these poor people, weakened and crippled by their disease,
to till the rich soil, raise cattle, and feed themselves. At first the
government provided a few miserable grass huts for shelter. Abandoned lepers
perished from hunger and cold.
Molokai's palisades are covered with heavy green vegetation. Great cataracts of
water from the frequent rainstorms that lash Molokai, plunge down her
cliffsides. At certain seasons of the year, winds carrying chill and dampness,
cascade down from the mountains onto the leper colony. Huddled in their flimsy
huts, the lepers suffer grievously from the cold. "A heavy
windstorm," Damien reported after arrival, "blew down most of the
rotten abodes, and many a weakened leper lay in the wind and rain with his
blanket and wet clothing."
Father Damien was deeply moved by leper children. He struggled to preserve them
from the physical and moral corruption of Molokai.
Damien's Colony Of Death
At the outset of his mission Damien aimed to restore in each leper a sense of
personal worth and dignity. To show his poor battered flock the value of their
lives, he had to demonstrate to them the value of their deaths. And so he
turned his attention first to the cemetery area beside his little chapel. He
fenced it around to protect the graves from the pigs, dogs, and other scavengers.
He constructed coffins and dug graves. He organized the lepers into the
Christian Burial Association to provide decent burial for each deceased. The
organization arranged for the requiem Mass, the proper funeral ceremonies, and
sponsored a musical group that played during the funeral procession.
Damien continued to minister to the sick, bringing the Sacraments of confession
and Holy Communion and annointing bedridden lepers. He washed their bodies,
bandaged their wounds and tidied their rooms and beds. He did all he could to
make them as comfortable as possible.
He encouraged lepers to help him in all his activities. With their assistance
he built everything from coffins to cottages. He constructed the rectory, built
a home for the lepers' children. When the colony expanded along the peninsula
to Kalaupapa, he hustled the lepers into construction of a good road between
Kalawao and Kalaupapa. Under his direction, lepers blasted rocks at the
Kalaupapa shoreline and opened a decent docking facility. Damien taught his
people to farm, to raise animals, to play musical instruments, to sing. He
watched with pride as the leper bands he organized marched up and down playing
the music Hawaiians love so well. No self-pity in this colony. Damien's
cheerful disposition and desire to serve touched the lepers' hearts without
patronizing or bullying them. Little by little their accomplishments restored
the sense of dignity their illness threatened to destroy.
Under Damien's vigorous lead, a sense of dignity and joy—and order replaced
Molokai's despair and lawlessness. Neat, painted cottages, many of which the
priest himself constructed, replaced the colony's miserable shacks.
He harried the government authorities. In their eyes he was "obstinate,
headstrong, brusk and officious." Joseph Dutton later on speaks of him as
"vehement and excitable in regard to matters that did not seem to him
right, and he sometimes said and did things that he afterwards regretted...,
but he had a true desire to do right, to bring about what he thought was best.
No doubt he erred sometimes in judgement.... In certain periods he got along
smoothly with everyone, and at times he was urgent for improvements. In some
cases he made for confusion, as various government authorities would not agree
with him."
In all things his lepers came first. It would be a mistake, however, to think
of Damien as a single-minded fanatic. He was a human being who was quick to
smile, of pleasant disposition, of open and frank countenance.
No one could deny that he was a headstrong person. But no one who knew him
could deny that he was a man of warm and tender heart. He quickly forgave
injuries and never bore a grudge.
Charles Warren Stoddard, an American writer, first visited Molokai in 1868,
five years before Damien's arrival. He returned in 1884. In place of the
miserable huts of the colony's beginning, Stoddard now found two villages of
white houses, surrounded by flower gardens and cultivated fields. Molokai
boasted a decent hospital, a graveyard, and two orphanages filled with
children. But what delighted Stoddard most of all was that the men and women,
instead of rotting in the slime, awaiting death, were out horseback-riding.
In 1888, the Englishman Edward Clifford visited Damien. "I had gone to
Molokai expecting to find it scarcely less dreadful than hell itself,"
Clifford wrote, "and the cheerful people, the lovely landscapes, and
comparatively painless life were all suprises. These poor people seemed
singularly happy."
Clifford asked lepers if they missed not being back home. They replied,
"Oh, no! We're well off here. The government watches over us, the
superintendent is good, and we like our pastor. He builds our houses himself,
he gives us tea, biscuits, sugar and clothes. He takes good care of us and
doesn't let us want for anything."
The Holy Man
Damien was completely aware of the Hawaiians' childlike nature. Simple,
generous, hospitable people, the Hawaiians were most attractive. They remained,
however, children of Adam and could be licentious, lazy, and, at times,
mean-spirited. Damien was not blind to their defects. Ambrose Hutchinson
describes the immorality that continued to plague the colony despite Damien's
best efforts.
Drinkers and dancers met in a remote area of the leper settlement called
"the crazy pen." From time to time Damien raided this scabrous spot,
and with his walking stick he broke up dancing and knocked over the liquor
bottles. Hutchinson writes: "The hilarious feasters made a quick getaway
from the place through the back door to escape Damien's big stick. He would not
hesitate to lay it on good and hard on the poor hapless one who happened to
come within reach of his cane."
His disciplinary measures did not hurt church attendance. The lepers came to
St. Philomena's in such numbers that he had to enlarge the chapel. But even
expanded facilities could not contain the worshipers. On Sundays, overflow
crowds peered through the church windows to participate in the divine services.
Visitors never forgot the sights and sounds of a Sunday Mass at St. Philomena's
Chapel. Damien, clear-eyed and devout, stood at the altar. Strong, muscular, a
picture of vitality and health, the priest's face was kind and his concern for
the people evident. His lepers gathered around him on the altar. Some were
blind. They constantly coughed and expectorated. The odor was overpowering. Yet
Damien never once wavered or showed his disgust. Damien placed, of all things,
poor boxes in the church. Because the blind often missed the slot, the pastor
placed a little bell inside the poor box. When the sightless leper's coin had
dropped safely into the box, the bell rang.
Hawaiians love to sing, and St. Philomena's choir had no shortage of
candidates. Because leprosy often attacked vocal cords, leper voices produced
peculiar sounds. Nevertheless, the choir sang joyfully.
Damien's life was suffused with horror, yet he refused to be broken by it and
refused to permit his little flock to be swept into despair. He ran foot races
for the sports-loving lepers, even though some of them had no feet. He formed a
band, even though some had few fingers to play the instruments. One witness
reported two organists who played at the same time, managing ten fingers
between them.
Damien—A World Figure
News of Damien's deeds spread from Hawaii to Europe to America. The priest of
Molokai became front-page news. Funds poured in from all over the world. An
Anglican priest, Reverend Hugh Chapman, organized, through the help of the
London Times, a highly successful fund drive. Damien's notoriety and
fund-raising drew the ire of the Hawaiian government and his own religious
superiors. Both accused him of playing the press for his own selfish reasons.
The government was unhappy, because it felt Damien's begging gave the Hawaiian
effort to combat leprosy a bad image. Walter Gibson, Prime Minister of the
Hawaiian king, felt that his government was most generous toward the lepers. It
was spending fifty thousand dollars a year, which represented five percent of
its total taxes, on leper care. No other government in the world could point to
such a proud health-care record.
The superiors of the Sacred Hearts mission were distressed because they felt
Damien was giving the Congregation's Fathers and Brothers a bad image. The
press made it seem as if he were the only Sacred Hearts missionary willing to
serve the colony. His superiors knew this was not true. And they took it as an
affront to the whole Congregation. His superiors further accused Damien of
being a "loner" because of his unhappy relationship with the three
assistants they had sent him at different times. In all fairness, it probably
is true that no one else could have lived with any of the three priests. But no
one was more irritated by Damien's fame than Hawaii's Yankee missionaries.
Stern Puritan divines felt leprosy was the inevitable result of the Hawaiian
people's licentiousness. In their puritanical judgement the Hawaiian people
were corrupt and debased. The segregation policy would have to be enforced to
hasten the inevitable physical and moral collapse of the essentially rotten
Hawaiian culture. There were medical doctors who were so convinced of an
essential connection between leprosy and sexual immorality that they insisted
that leprosy could be spread only through sexual contact.
When Damien entered his prison at Molokai, he had to make a decision. He
believed that the Hawaiians were basically good and not essentially corrupt.
And now he had to show them belief, regardless of the price. Thus, somewhere
during the first part of his stay he made the dread decision to set aside his
fear of contagion. He touched his lepers, he embraced them, he dined with them,
he cleaned and bandaged their wounds and sores. He placed the host upon their
battered mouths. He put his thumb on their forehead when he annointed them with
the holy oil. All these actions involved touch. Touch is, of course, necessary
if one is to communicate love and concern. The Hawaiians instinctively knew
this. And that is why the Hawaiians shrank from the Yankee divines. Although
these Yankee religious leaders expended much money on their mission endeavors,
few Hawaiians joined their churches. The islanders sensed the contempt in which
the puritan minds held them.
On this altar which he constructed, Father Damien celebrated Mass each day.
From the Eucharist, the priest drew strength to continue his lonely and
perilous mission. After leprosy claimed him, and he entered into his
"peculiar Golgotha," he found his deepest consolation and hope in the
Mass.
Damien was not, as we have noted, blind to the Hawaiians' very real faults.
Many Hawaiians, by their irregular sexual habits, greatly contributed to the
spread of leprosy. But Damien knew that was not the only way the disease was
communicated. Above all, he rejected the insufferable notion that God had laid
this disease as a curse upon these people, to wipe them off the face of the
earth. Damien hated leprosy. He didn't see it as a tool of a vengeful God. He
saw it as a suffering that man must eliminate. God loved the leper. No man had
the right to scorn him.
Thus, very early in his apostolate at Molokai, Damien was impelled to identify
himself as closely as possible with his lepers. Long before he had the disease,
he spoke of himself and the people of Molokai as "we lepers." Six
months after his arrival at Kalawao he wrote his brother in Europe: "...I
make myself a leper with the lepers to gain all to Jesus Christ. That is why,
in preaching, I say 'we lepers'; not, 'my brethren....'"
Damien embraced the leper but not leprosy. He lived in great dread of the
disease. When he first experienced leprosy's symptomatic itching, while still a
missionary at Kohala, some years before he went to Molokai, he knew then that
the loathing diseased threatened him. Even when the disease had run a good bit
of its brutal course through his body, he still at times seemed to refuse to
admit he was a victim. But leprosy finally claimed him. It was the final price
God exacted from Damien to show his sense of community and oneness with his
poor afflicted flock.
Some said there was a connection between leprosy and venereal disease. In order
to witness against those who claimed leprosy could only be spread by sexual
contact, Damien submitted to the indignity of having his blood and body
examined in detail after he had contracted the disease. Doctor Arning, a
world-famous specialist in the disease, reported, after examination, that
Damien had no sign of syphilis. In a signed statement dictated to Brother
Joseph Dutton, his co-worker, Damien wrote, "I have never had sexual
intercourse with anyone whomsoever."
History has borne out the wisdom of Damien's decision to take these
embarrassing measures. Shortly after Damien's death, a Yankee divine of
Honolulu, Doctor Charles McEwen Hyde, bitterly attacked the priest's moral
life. The good clergyman opined that Damien got leprosy because he was
licentious.
Father Damien was not lacking defenders. In a magnificent statement, Robert
Louis Stevenson, who had visited Molokai after Damien's death, rose to champion
the priest's cause. The author's defense of Damien rested upon the complete
sacrifice the man made of his life. A sacrifice no Yankee missionary in Hawaii
had duplicated.
The Knight Commander
The Hawaiian government decorated Father Damien with the Cross of the Royal
Order of Kalakaua (above, left). The priest accepted the award but rarely wore
the medal. In later stages of his own illness, Damien remarked, "The Lord
decorated me with his own particular cross—leprosy."
If some white missionaries scorned Father Damien, most Hawaiians loved him. In
September 1881, Hawaiian Princess Liliuokalani visited Molokai. The Princess,
moved deeply by the lepers' suffering, was unable to give the speech she had
prepared. Leaving Molokai with a broken heart, she returned to Honolulu and
requested Father Damien to accept the Hawaiian Order of Knight Commander of the
Royal Order of Kalakaua in recognition of his "efforts in alleviating the
distress and mitigating the sorrows of the unfortunate." With pleasure, Damien
accepted the award. He felt it would bring attention to his lepers. There were
many Americans, too, both in Hawaii and on the mainland, who recognized the
work that Damien was doing and who sent, with characteristic American
generosity, funds and other forms of help to him. In Honolulu, American
Protestants were among his most generous benefactors. Opening their hearts and
their purses to Damien, they sent him food, medicines, clothing, and all sorts
of help for his mission.
My Insupportable Melancholy
Damien was alone of the frontier of death. His loneliness oppressed him. He
speaks of his "black thoughts" and the "insupportable melancholy
that arose from his lack of religious companionship." The Board of Health
remonstrated with him because, ignoring the isolation policy, he climbed up and
down the palisades to build chapels and to bring the Sacraments to the healthy
people who dwelt on Molokai's plateau. His superiors were displeased with his
trips to Honolulu. They felt he gave bad example in the face of the
government's policy on segregation of lepers. Furthermore, two Sacred Hearts
Fathers, laboring in other parts of the Hawaiian Islands, had contracted
leprosy. The superiors did not want to force them to Molokai. They felt that
Damien, by leaving the colony, might just precipitate a government crackdown.
He continually begged his superiors for a confrere, not only to assist him in
the ever-mounting work, but also to provide spiritual comfort for him. He
hungered above all for a priestly companion to whom he could confess and
receive the Sacrament of Penance. His writings reveal his concern that he would
forget the true purpose of his life. In a little notebook, he counseled
himself: "Be severe toward yourself, indulgent toward others. Have
scrupulous exactitude for everything regarding God: prayer, meditation, Mass,
administration of the Sacraments. Unite your heart with God.... Remember always
your three vows, by which you are dead to the things of the world. Remember
always that God is eternal and work courageously in order one day to be united
with him forever."
During one time when the isolation policy was being strictly enforced, a ship's
captain, reacting to the government's orders, forbade Damien's bishop to
disembark on Molokai. In order to see the bishop, Damien sailed out to the
boat. The captain refused Damien's request to board. The priest pleaded in vain
with the captain, saying that he wanted to confess his sins.
"Bishop," the priest called to the boat, "will you hear my
confession from here?" The bishop consented, and Damien in an exercise of
humility that touched all who witnessed it, confessed his sins aloud to the
bishop.
Damien The Leper
One day in December, 1884, while soaking his feet in extremely hot water,
Father De Veuster experienced no sensation of heat or pain. The evil disease he
had battled for so long now claimed him. In his last years he engaged in a
flurry of activity. He hastened to complete his many building projects, enlarge
his orphanages, organize his work. Help came from four unexpected sources. A
priest, a soldier, a male nurse, and a nun. The soldier, Joseph Dutton, was the
most unusual man. He had survived Civil War combat, a broken marriage, several
years of hard drinking, to show up on Molokai's shores in July, 1886. He stayed
forty-five years without ever leaving the colony. He served the lepers of the
Baldwin Home for Boys. Joseph was never seriously ill until just before his
death in 1931. He was just short of eighty-eight. Another layman, James
Sinnett, a man who had a colorful and checkered career, during which he gained
some experience in nursing in Mercy Hospital, Chicago, came to Molokai eight
months before Father Damien died. The leper priest called him "Brother
James." He nursed Father Damien during the final phase of his illness, and
closed his eyes in death. During the last days of Damien's life, Sinnett served
as his secretary. He was faithful to the very end, and when Damien died,
Sinnett left the colony. Nothing was heard from him thereafter.
Father Louis-Lambert Conrardy, a fellow Belgian, joined Father Damien May 17,
1888. Archbishop William Gross of Oregon generously permitted Father Conrardy
to leave his own priest-poor area to labor in Molokai. Archbishop Gross wrote
of Conrardy: "I have trampled all over Oregon with Father Conrardy and he
is a noble, heroic man.... Though he knows and realizes perfectly that he might
succomb to the disease, his voluntary going is real heroism." Conrardy and
Damien joined in their unreserved dedication to the lepers. Along with this,
Conrardy provided the spiritual and social companionship that Damien so
desperately craved.
The Sister who now offered at this critical junction support for Damien and his
work, was Mother Marianne Kopp, Superior of the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse,
New York, who served the Honolulu leper hospital. Damien requested Mother
Marianne to send Sisters to care for the girls' orphanage at Molokai. Damien
promised her that not one of her Sisters would ever be afflicted with leprosy.
The Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse are still at Molokai. To this day, not one
of them has ever contracted leprosy.
Damien's Last Days
In October, 1885, Damien wrote his superior, Father Leonor Fouesnel, in the
Hawaiian Islands: "I am a leper. Blessed be the good God. I only ask one
favor of you. Send someone to this tomb to be my confessor." (This was
three years before Conrardy's arrival.) He wrote his General in Rome, "I
have been decorated by the royal Cross of Kalakaua and now the heavier and less
honorable cross of leprosy. Our Lord has willed that I be stigmatized with
it.... I am still up and taking care of myself a little. I will keep on
working...."
The announcement that Damien had leprosy hit his own religious superiors,
Father Fouesnel and his bishop, Hermann Koeckemann, like a thunderbolt. Damien
was the third Sacred Hearts missionary stricken with leprosy. To prevent
further infection, Father Fouesnel forbade Damien to visit the mission
headquarters of the Sacred Hearts Fathers in Honolulu. "If you come,"
Father Superior advised Damien, "you will be relegated to a room which you
are not to leave until your departure." Father Fouesnel suggested that if
Damien insisted on coming to Honolulu, he stay at the Franciscan Sisters' leper
hospital. "But if you go there," the superior counseled, "please
do not say Mass. For neither Father Clement nor I will consent to celebrate
Mass with the same chalice and the same vestments you have used. The Sisters
will refuse to receive Holy Communion from your hands." One can understand
the superior's concern. But Damien was being forced, nevertheless, to consume
the bitter wine of loneliness to its dregs. He now knew not only the physical
sufferings of Christ but the harrowing loneliness and abandonment of his
Savior. Damien did go to Honolulu and remained at the leprosarium from July 10
to 16. It was during the time that he arranged with Mother Marianne to come to
Molokai. He spoke of his rejection by his own as "the greatest suffering
he had ever endured in his life."
The Sorrowful Mother
Catherine De Veuster, Damien's mother, had lived all these years on the
occasional letters he wrote to her from Molokai. He had tried to keep her from
the news of his leprosy. But inevitably she found out. Someone advised her that
the newspapers said, "the flesh of the leper priest of Molokai was falling
off in hunks." It was too much for Catherine. Now eighty-three years of
age, a widow for thirteen years, the shock of the sufferings of her son broke
her old heart. On April 5, 1886, about four in the afternoon, turning her eyes
for the last time toward the image of the Blessed Mother and the picture of her
son, she bowed her head in that direction and died calmly and peacefully.
Doctor Mouritz, medical attendant at Molokai, charted the progress of the
physical dissolution of Damien's body. He writes: "The skin of the
abdomen, chest, the back, are beginning to show tubercles, masses of
infiltration.... The membranes of the nose, roof of the mouth, pharynx, and
larynx are involved; the skin of his cheeks, nose, lips, forehead, and chin are
excessively swollen.... His body is becoming emaciated."
An ever-deepening mental distress accompanied Damien's physical dissolution. A
severe depression, as well as religious scruples, now plagued the leper priest.
Damien felt he was unworthy of heaven. The rejection by his religious superiors
left him in near disarray. Once he claimed: "From the rest of the world I
received gold and frankincense, but from my own superiors myrrh" (a bitter
herb). His superiors complained about Father Conrardy's presence on Molokai.
Conrardy was not a religious of the Sacred Hearts, and they felt that Damien
had encouraged his presence there as a reproach to their ineffectual efforts to
provide him with a companion. Soon after Damien's death, the Sacred Hearts
superiors maneuvered Father Conrardy out of the colony.
As death approached, Father Damien engaged in a flurry of activity. He worked
as much as his wounded and broken body would permit him. He wrote his bishop,
entreating not to be dispensed from the obligation of the Breviary, which he
continued to recite as best he could as his eyes failed. The disease invading
his windpipe progressed to such an extent that it kept him from sleeping more
than an hour or two at night. His voice was reduced to a raucous whisper.
Leprosy was in his throat, his lungs, his stomach, and his intestines. After
ravaging his body outwardly, it was now destroying him from within.
As the end drew near, there were priests of his own Congregation to hear his
confession. They had come with the Franciscan Sisters. On March 30, one of
them, a Father Moellers, heard Damien's last confession. The leper priest had
requested a funeral pall, which the Sisters made from him and delivered from
Honolulu. It arrived the same day. Two more weeks of suffering, and on April
15, 1889, Damien died. It was Holy Week. Some weeks before, Damien had said
that the Lord wanted him to spend Easter in heaven.
Once he had written, "The cemetery, the church and rectory form one
enclosure; thus at nighttime I am still keeper of this garden of the dead,
where my spiritual children lie at rest. My greatest pleasure is to go there to
say my by beads and meditate on that unending happiness which so many of them
are enjoying." And now it was his turn to occupy a little plot of ground
in "his garden of the dead."
He no longer meditated on that unending happiness, but now most surely
possessed it. Long ago he had selected the precise spot for his grave amid the
two thousand lepers buried in Molokai cemetery. Coffin bearers laid him to rest
under his pandanus tree. It was the same tree that had sheltered him the day he
read those fateful words: "You may stay as long as your devotion
dictates...."
[Fr. Damien was beatified in June of 1995 under the title of Blessed Father
Damien—Servant of Humanity.]
(This work was originally published in 1974 by the Franciscans of St. Anthony's
Guild, Patterson, New Jersey. Used with permission from the Sacred Hearts
Community Website. For more information about the Sacred Hearts Community
please visit http://www.sscc.org )
Provided Courtesy of: Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road,
Irondale, AL 35210
www.ewtn.com
SOURCE : http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/DAMIEN.HTM
Marisol
Escobar, Statue of Father Damien, bronze, 1969
This statue of Father
Damien wasgiven to the National
Statuary Hall Collection by Hawaii in
1969. The bronze statue is based on photographs taken of Father Damien near the
end of his life, with the scars of his disease visible on his face and his
right arm in a sling beneath his cloak. His broad-brimmed hat was traditionally
worn by missionaries. His right hand holds a cane.
Hawaii's Statuary Hall
Commission received offers from 66 artists to create the statue of Father
Damien for the Capitol and selected seven to submit models. New York sculptor
Marisol Escobar's contemporary design was chosen over more classically styled
representations. Aware of Damien’s fondness for carpentry as a recreation, she
first created a full-size model in wood, her preferred medium. The plaster
model that she then created for casting was broken on its voyage to the foundry
in Viareggio, Italy; a second plaster model reached Italy but was then lost.
Finally, a wax impression of the statue reached the foundry. The bronze statue
was shipped to New York, where it lingered because of a longshoremen’s strike,
so a second statue was sent directly to Washington, D.C.
This statue and that
of King
Kamehameha I, Hawaii's other gift to the National Statuary Hall Collection,
were unveiled in the Capitol
Rotunda on April 15, 1969, 80 years after Father Damien's death.
The statue's design is typical of the sculptor's work; Marisol Escobar is known for her portraits with faces, hands and feet attached to large blocks of wood. In this case in particular, it reflects her decision "to undertake the work directly and simply in much the same way Father Damien did his work."-
SOURCE : https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/father-damien-statue
FATHER DAMIEN. AN OPEN
LETTER TO THE REVEREND DR. HYDE OF HONOLULU
by Robert Louis Stevenson
SYDNEY
FEBRUARY 25, 1890.
SIR, - It may probably occur to you that we have met, and visited, and
conversed; on my side, with interest. You may remember that you have done
me several courtesies, for which I was prepared to be grateful. But there
are duties which come before gratitude, and offences which justly divide
friends, far more acquaintances.
Your letter to the Reverend H. B. Gage is a document which, in my sight, if you
had filled me with bread when I was starving, if you had sat up to nurse
my father when he lay a-dying, would yet absolve me from the bonds of
gratitude. You know enough, doubtless, of the process of canonisation to
be aware that, a hundred years after the death of Damien, there will
appear a man charged with the painful office of the DEVIL’S ADVOCATE. After
that noble brother of mine, and of all frail clay, shall have lain a
century at rest, one shall accuse, one defend him.
The circumstance is unusual that the devil’s advocate should be a volunteer, should be a member of a sect immediately rival, and should make haste to take upon himself his ugly office ere the bones are cold; unusual, and of a taste which I shall leave my readers free to qualify; unusual, and to me inspiring. If I have at all learned the trade of using words to convey truth and to arouse emotion, you have at last furnished me with a subject. For it is in the interest of all mankind, and the cause of public decency in every quarter of the world, not only that Damien should be righted, but that you and your letter should be displayed at length, in their true colours, to the public eye.
To do this properly, I must begin by quoting you at large: I shall then proceed to criticise your utterance from several points of view, divine and human, in the course of which I shall attempt to draw again, and with more specification, the character of the dead saint whom it has pleased you to vilify: so much being done, I shall say farewell to you for ever.
‘HONOLULU,
‘AUGUST 2, 1889.
‘Rev. H. B. GAGE.
‘DEAR BROTHER, - In answer to your inquiries about Father Damien, I can only reply that we who knew the man are surprised at the extravagant newspaper laudations, as if he was a most saintly philanthropist. The simple truth is, he was a coarse, dirty man, head-strong and bigoted. He was not sent to Molokai, but went there without orders; did not stay at the leper settlement (before he became one himself), but circulated freely over the whole island (less than half the island is devoted to the lepers), and he came often to Honolulu. He had no hand in the reforms and improvements inaugurated, which were the work of our Board of Health, as occasion required and means were provided. He was not a pure man in his relations with women, and the leprosy of which he died should be attributed to his vices and carelessness. Others have done much for the lepers, our own ministers, the government physicians, and so forth, but never with the Catholic idea of meriting eternal life. - Yours, etc.,
‘C. M. HYDE.’ (1)
To deal fitly with a letter so extraordinary, I must draw at the outset on my private knowledge of the signatory and his sect. It may offend others; scarcely you, who have been so busy to collect, so bold to publish, gossip on your rivals. And this is perhaps the moment when I may best explain to you the character of what you are to read: I conceive you as a man quite beyond and below the reticences of civility: with what measure you mete, with that shall it be measured you again; with you, at last, I rejoice to feel the button off the foil and to plunge home. And if in aught that I shall say I should offend others, your colleagues, whom I respect and remember with affection, I can but offer them my regret; I am not free, I am inspired by the consideration of interests far more large; and such pain as can be inflicted by anything from me must be indeed trifling when compared with the pain with which they read your letter. It is not the hangman, but the criminal, that brings dishonour on the house.
You belong, sir, to a sect - I believe my sect, and that in which my ancestors laboured - which has enjoyed, and partly failed to utilise, an exceptional advantage in the islands of Hawaii. The first missionaries came; they found the land already self-purged of its old and bloody faith; they were embraced, almost on their arrival, with enthusiasm; what troubles they supported came far more from whites than from Hawaiians; and to these last they stood (in a rough figure) in the shoes of God. This is not the place to enter into the degree or causes of their failure, such as it is.
One element alone is pertinent, and must here be plainly dealt with. In the course of their evangelical calling, they - or too many of them - grew rich. It may be news to you that the houses of missionaries are a cause of mocking on the streets of Honolulu. It will at least be news to you, that when I returned your civil visit, the driver of my cab commented on the size, the taste, and the comfort of your home. It would have been news certainly to myself, had any one told me that afternoon that I should live to drag such matter into print. But you see, sir, how you degrade better men to your own level; and it is needful that those who are to judge betwixt you and me, betwixt Damien and the devil’s advocate, should understand your letter to have been penned in a house which could raise, and that very justly, the envy and the comments of the passers-by.
I think (to employ a phrase of yours which I admire) it ‘should be attributed’
to you that you have never visited the scene of Damien’s life and death.
If you had, and had recalled it, and looked about your pleasant
rooms, even your pen perhaps would have been stayed.
Your sect (and remember, as far as any sect avows me, it is mine) has not done ill in a worldly sense in the Hawaiian Kingdom. When calamity befell their innocent parishioners, when leprosy descended and took root in the Eight Islands, a QUID PRO QUO was to be looked for. To that prosperous mission, and to you, as one of its adornments, God had sent at last an opportunity. I know I am touching here upon a nerve acutely sensitive. I know that others of your colleagues look back on the inertia of your Church, and the intrusive and decisive heroism of Damien, with something almost to be called remorse. I am sure it is so with yourself; I am persuaded your letter was inspired by a certain envy, not essentially ignoble, and the one human trait to be espied in that performance.
You were thinking of the lost chance, the past day; of that which should
have been conceived and was not; of the service due and not
rendered. Time was, said the voice in your ear, in your pleasant room, as
you sat raging and writing; and if the words written were base beyond parallel,
the rage, I am happy to repeat - it is the only compliment I shall pay you -
the rage was almost virtuous.
But, sir, when we have failed, and another has succeeded; when we have stood by, and another has stepped in; when we sit and grow bulky in our charming mansions, and a plain, uncouth peasant steps into the battle, under the eyes of God, and succours the afflicted, and consoles the dying, and is himself afflicted in his turn, and dies upon the field of honour - the battle cannot be retrieved as your unhappy irritation has suggested. It is a lost battle, and lost for ever.
One thing remained to you in your defeat - some rags of common honour; and these you have made haste to cast away.Common honour; not the honour of having done anything right, but the honour of not having done aught conspicuously foul; the honour of the inert: that was what remained to you. We are not all expected to be Damiens; a man may conceive his duty more narrowly, he may love his comforts better; and none will cast a stone at him for that. But will a gentleman of your reverend profession allow me an example from the fields of gallantry? When two gentlemen compete for the favour of a lady, and the one succeeds and the other is rejected, and (as will sometimes happen) matter damaging to the successful rival’s credit reaches the ear of the defeated, it is held by plain men of no pretensions that his mouth is, in the circumstance, almost necessarily closed.
Your Church and Damien’s were in Hawaii upon a rivalry to do well: to help, to edify, to set divine examples. You having (in one huge instance) failed, and Damien succeeded, I marvel it should not have occurred to you that you were doomed to silence; that when you had been outstripped in that high rivalry, and sat inglorious in the midst of your well-being, in your pleasant room - and Damien, crowned with glories and horrors, toiled and rotted in that pigsty of his under the cliffs of Kalawao - you, the elect who would not, were the last man on earth to collect and propagate gossip on the volunteer who would and did.
I think I see you - for I try to see you in the flesh as I write these sentences - I think I see you leap at the word pigsty, a hyperbolical expression at the best. ‘He had no hand in the reforms,’ he was ‘a coarse, dirty man’; these were your own words; and you may think it possible that I am come to support you with fresh evidence.
In a sense, it is even so.
Damien has been too much
depicted with a conventional halo and conventional features; so drawn by men who perhaps had not the eye to remark or the pen to express the individual; or who perhaps were only blinded and silenced by generous admiration, such as I partly envy for myself - such as you, if your soul were enlightened, would envy on your bended knees. It is the least defect of such a method of portraiture that it makes the path easy for the devil’s advocate, and leaves for the misuse of the slanderer a considerable field of truth. For the truth that is suppressed by friends is the readiest weapon of the enemy.
The world, in your despite, may perhaps owe you something, if your letter be the means of substituting once for all a credible likeness for a wax abstraction. For, if that world at all remember you, on the day when Damien of Molokai shall be named Saint, it will be in virtue of one work: your letter to the Reverend H. B. Gage.
You may ask on what authority I speak. It was my inclement destiny to become acquainted, not with Damien, but with Dr. Hyde. When I visited the lazaretto, Damien was already in his resting grave. But such information as I have, I gathered on the spot in conversation with those who knew him well and long: some indeed who revered his memory; but others who had sparred and wrangled with him, who beheld him with no halo, who perhaps regarded him with small respect, and through whose unprepared and scarcely partial communications the plain, human features of the man shone on me convincingly. These gave me what knowledge I possess; and I learnt it in that scene where it could be most completely and sensitively understood - Kalawao, which you have never visited, about which you have never so much as endeavoured to inform yourself; for, brief as your letter is, you have found the means to stumble into that confession.
‘LESS THAN ONE-- HALF of
the island,’ you say, ‘is devoted to the lepers.’
Molokai - ‘MOLOKAI AHINA,’ the ‘grey,’ lofty, and most desolate island - along all its northern side plunges a front of precipice into a sea of unusual profundity. This range of cliff is, from east to west, the true end and frontier of the island. Only in one spot there projects into the ocean a certain triangular and rugged down, grassy, stony, windy, and rising in the midst into a hill with a dead crater: the whole bearing to the cliff that overhangs it somewhat the same relation as a bracket to a wall. With this hint you will now be able to pick out the leper station on a map; you will be able to judge how much of Molokai is thus cut off between the surf and precipice, whether less than a half, or less than a quarter, or a fifth, or a tenth - or, say, a twentieth; and the next time you burst into print you will be in a position to share with us the issue of your calculations.
I imagine you to be one of those persons who talk with cheerfulness of that place which oxen and wain-ropes could not drag you to behold. You, who do not even know its situation on the map, probably denounce sensational descriptions, stretching your limbs the while in your pleasant parlour on Beretania Street. When I was pulled ashore there one early morning, there sat with me in the boat two sisters, bidding farewell (in humble imitation of Damien) to the lights and joys of human life. One of these wept silently; I could not withhold myself from joining her.
Had you been there, it is my belief that nature would have triumphed even in you; and as the boat drew but a little nearer, and you beheld the stairs crowded with abominable deformations of our common manhood, and saw yourself landing in the midst of such a population as only now and then surrounds us in the horror of a nightmare - what a haggard eye you would have rolled over your reluctant shoulder
towards the house on Beretania Street! Had you gone on; had you found every fourth face a blot upon the landscape; had you visited the hospital and seen the butt-ends of human beings lying there almost unrecognisable, but still breathing, still thinking, still remembering; you would have understood that life in the lazaretto is an ordeal from which the nerves of a man’s spirit shrink, even as his eye quails under the brightness of the sun; you would have felt it was (even to-day) a pitiful place to visit and a hell to dwell in.
It is not the fear of possible infection. That seems a little thing when compared with the pain, the pity, and the disgust of the visitor’s surroundings, and the atmosphere of affliction, disease, and physical disgrace in which he breathes. I do not think I am a man more than usually timid; but I never recall the days and nights I spent upon that island promontory (eight days and seven nights), without heartfelt thankfulness that I am somewhere else.
I find in my diary that I speak of my stay as a ‘grinding experience’: I have once jotted in the margin, ‘HARROWING is the word’; and when the MOKOLII bore me at last towards the outer world, I kept repeating to myself, with a new conception of their pregnancy, those simple words of the song -‘’Tis the most distressful country that ever yet was seen.’
And observe: that which I saw and suffered from was a settlement purged, bettered, beautified; the new village built, the hospital and the Bishop-Home excellently arranged; the sisters, the doctor, and the missionaries, all indefatigable in their noble tasks. It was a different place when Damien came there and made his great renunciation, and slept that first night under a tree amidst his rotting brethren: alone with pestilence; and looking forward (with what courage, with what pitiful sinkings of dread, God only knows) to a lifetime of dressing sores and stumps.
You will say, perhaps, I am too sensitive, that sights as painful abound in cancer hospitals and are confronted daily by doctors and nurses. I have long learned to admire and envy the doctors and the nurses. But there is no cancer hospital so large and populous as Kalawao and Kalaupapa; and in such a matter every fresh case, like every inch of length in the pipe of an organ, deepens the note of the impression; for what daunts the onlooker is that monstrous sum of human suffering by which he stands surrounded. Lastly, no doctor or nurse is called upon to enter once for all the doors of that gehenna; they do not say farewell, they need not abandon hope, on its sad threshold; they but go for a time to their high calling, and can look forward as they go to relief, to recreation, and to rest. But Damien shut-to with his own hand the doors of his own sepulchre.
I shall now extract three passages from my diary at Kalawao.
A. ‘Damien is dead and already somewhat ungratefully remembered in the field of his labours and sufferings. "He was a good man, but very officious," says one. Another tells me he had fallen (as other priests so easily do) into something of the ways and habits of thought of a Kanaka; but he had the wit to recognise the fact, and the good sense to laugh at’ [over] ‘it. A plain man it seems he was; I cannot find he was a popular.’
B. ‘After Ragsdale’s death’ [Ragsdale was a famous Luna, or overseer, of the unruly settlement] ‘there followed a brief term of office by Father Damien which served only to publish the weakness of that noble man. He was rough in his ways, and he had no control. Authority was relaxed; Damien’s life was threatened, and he was soon eager to resign.’
C. ‘Of Damien I begin to have an idea. He seems to have been a man of the peasant class, certainly of the peasant type: shrewd, ignorant and bigoted, yet with an open mind, and capable of receiving and digesting a reproof if it were bluntly administered; superbly generous in the least thing as well as in the greatest, and as ready to give his last shirt (although not without human grumbling) as he had been to sacrifice his life; essentially indiscreet and officious, which made him a troublesome colleague; domineering in all his ways, which made him incurably unpopular with the Kanakas, but yet destitute of real authority, so that his boys laughed at him and he must carry out his wishes by the means of bribes.
He learned to have a mania for doctoring; and set up the Kanakas against the remedies of his regular rivals: perhaps (if anything matter at all in the treatment of such a disease) the worst thing that he did, and certainly the easiest. The best and worst of the man appear very plainly in his dealings with Mr. Chapman’s money; he had originally laid it out’ [intended to lay it out] ‘entirely for the benefit of Catholics, and even so not wisely; but after a long, plain talk, he admitted his error fully and revised the list. The sad state of the boys’ home is in part the result of his lack of control; in part, of his own slovenly ways and false ideas of hygiene. Brother officials used to call it "Damien’s Chinatown." "Well," they
would say, "your China-town keeps growing." And he would laugh with perfect good-nature, and adhere to his errors with perfect obstinacy. So much I have gathered of truth about this plain, noble human brother and father of ours; his imperfections are the traits of his face, by which we know him for our fellow; his martyrdom and his example nothing can lessen or annul; and only a person here on the spot can properly appreciate their greatness.’
I have set down these private passages, as you perceive, without correction; thanks to you, the public has them in their bluntness. They are almost a list of the man’s faults, for it is rather these that I was seeking: with his virtues, with the heroic profile of his life, I and the world were already sufficiently acquainted. I was besides a little suspicious of Catholic testimony; in no ill sense, but merely because Damien’s admirers and disciples were the least likely to be critical. I know you will be more suspicious still; and the facts set down above were one and all collected from the lips of Protestants who had opposed the father in his life.
Yet I am strangely deceived, or they build up the image of a man, with all his weaknesses, essentially heroic, and alive with rugged honesty, generosity, and mirth. Take it for what it is, rough private jottings of the worst sides of Damien’s character, collected from the lips of those who had laboured with and (in your own phrase) ‘knew the man’; - though I question whether Damien would have said that he knew you. Take it, and observe with wonder how well you were served by your gossips, how ill by your intelligence and sympathy; in how many points of fact we are at one, and how widely our appreciations vary. There is something wrong here; either with you or me. It is possible, for instance, that you, who seem to have so many ears in Kalawao, had heard of the affair of Mr. Chapman’s money, and were singly struck by Damien’s intended wrong-doing. I was struck with that also, and set it fairly down; but I was struck much more by the fact that he had the honesty of mind to be convinced.
I may here tell you that it was a long business; that one of his colleagues sat with him late into the night, multiplying arguments and accusations; that the father listened as usual with ‘perfect good-nature and perfect obstinacy’; but at the last, when he was persuaded - ‘Yes,’ said he, ‘I am very much obliged to you; you have done me a service; it would have been a theft.’ There are many (not Catholics merely) who require their heroes and saints to be infallible; to these the story will be painful; not to the true lovers, patrons, and servants of mankind.
And I take it, this is a type of our division; that you are one of those who have an eye for faults and failures; that you take a pleasure to find and publish them; and that, having found them, you make haste to forget the overvailing virtues and the real success which had alone introduced them to your knowledge. It is a dangerous frame of mind. That you may understand how dangerous, and into what a situation it has already brought you, we will (if you please) go hand- in-hand through the different phrases of your letter, and candidly examine each from the point of view of its truth, its appositeness, and its charity.
Damien was COARSE.
It is very possible. You make us sorry for the lepers, who had only a coarse old peasant for their friend and father. But you, who were so refined, why were you not there, to cheer them with the lights of culture? Or may I remind you that we have some reason to doubt if John the Baptist were genteel; and in the case of Peter, on whose career you doubtless dwell approvingly in the pulpit, no doubt at all he was a ‘coarse, headstrong’ fisherman! Yet even in our Protestant Bibles Peter is called Saint.
Damien was DIRTY.
He was. Think of the poor lepers annoyed with this dirty comrade! But the clean Dr. Hyde was at his food in a fine house.
Damien was HEADSTRONG.
I believe you are right again; and I thank God for his strong head and heart.
Damien was BIGOTED.
I am not fond of bigots myself, because they are not fond of me. But what is meant by bigotry, that we should regard it as a blemish in a priest? Damien believed his own religion with the simplicity of a peasant or a child; as I would I could suppose that you do. For this, I wonder at him some way off; and had that been his only character, should have avoided him in life. But the point of interest in Damien, which has caused him to be so much talked about and made him at last the subject of your pen and mine, was that, in him, his bigotry, his intense and narrow faith, wrought potently for good, and strengthened him to be one of the world’s heroes and exemplars.
Damien WAS NOT SENT TO MOLOKAI, BUT WENT THERE WITHOUT ORDERS.
Is this a misreading? or do you really mean the words for blame? I have heard Christ, in the pulpits of our Church, held up for imitation on the ground that His sacrifice was voluntary. Does Dr. Hyde think otherwise?
Damien DID NOT STAY AT THE SETTLEMENT, ETC.
It is true he was allowed many indulgences. Am I to understand that you blame the father for profiting by these, or the officers for granting them? In either case, it is a mighty Spartan standard to issue from the house on Beretania Street; and I am convinced you will find yourself with few supporters.
Damien HAD NO HAND IN THE REFORMS, ETC.
I think even you will admit that I have already been frank in my description of the man I am defending; but before I take you up upon this head, I will be franker still, and tell you that perhaps nowhere in the world can a man taste a more pleasurable sense of contrast than when he passes from Damien’s ‘Chinatown’ at Kalawao to the beautiful Bishop-Home at Kalaupapa. At this point, in my desire to make all fair for you, I will break my rule and adduce Catholic testimony.
Here is a passage from my diary about my visit to the Chinatown, from which you will see how it is (even now) regarded by its own officials: ‘We went round all the dormitories, refectories, etc. - dark and dingy enough, with a superficial cleanliness, which he’ [Mr. Dutton, the lay- brother] ‘did not seek to defend. "It is almost decent," said he; "the sisters will make that all right when we get them here."’ And yet I gathered it was already better since Damien was dead, and far better than when he was there alone
and had his own (not always excellent) way. I have now come far enough to meet you on a common ground of fact; and I tell you that, to a mind not prejudiced by jealousy, all the reforms of the lazaretto, and even those which he most vigorously opposed, are properly the work of Damien.
They are the evidence of his success; they are what his heroism provoked from the reluctant and the careless. Many were before him in the field; Mr. Meyer, for instance, of whose faithful work we hear too little: there have been many since; and some had more worldly wisdom, though none had more devotion, than our saint. Before his day, even you will confess, they had effected little. It was his part, by one striking act of martyrdom, to direct all men’s eyes on that distressful country. At a blow, and with the price of his life, he made the place illustrious and public. And that, if you will consider largely, was the one reform needful; pregnant of all that should succeed. It brought money; it brought (best individual addition of them all) the sisters; it brought supervision, for public opinion and public interest landed with the man at Kalawao. If ever any man brought reforms, and died to bring them, it was he. There is not a clean cup or towel in the Bishop-Home, but dirty Damien washed it.
Damien WAS NOT A PURE MAN IN HIS RELATIONS WITH WOMEN, ETC.
How do you know that? Is this the nature of the conversation in that house on Beretania Street which the cabman envied, driving past? - racy details of the misconduct of the poor peasant priest, toiling under the cliffs of Molokai?
Many have visited the station before me; they seem not to have heard the rumour. When I was there I heard many shocking tales, for my informants were men speaking with the plainness of the laity; and I heard plenty of complaints of Damien. Why was this never mentioned? and how came it to you in the retirement of your clerical parlour?
But I must not even seem to deceive you. This scandal, when I read it in your letter, was not new to me. I had heard it once before; and I must tell you how. There came to Samoa a man from Honolulu; he, in a public-house on the beach, volunteered the statement that Damien had ‘contracted the disease from having connection with the female lepers’; and I find a joy in telling you how the report was welcomed in a public-house. A man sprang to his feet; I am not at liberty to give his name, but from what I heard I doubt if you would care to have him to dinner in Beretania Street. ‘You miserable little - ‘ (here is a word I dare not print, it would so shock your ears). ‘You miserable little - ,’ he cried, ‘if the story were a thousand times true, can’t you see you are a million times a lower - for daring to repeat it?’
I wish it could be told of you that when the report reached you in your house, perhaps after family worship, you had found in your soul enough holy anger to receive it with the same expressions; ay, even with that one which I dare not print; it would not need to have been blotted away, like Uncle Toby’s oath, by the tears of the recording angel; it would have been counted to you for your brightest righteousness. But you have deliberately chosen the part of the man from Honolulu, and you have played it with improvements of your own. The man from Honolulu - miserable, leering creature - communicated the tale to a rude knot of beach-combing drinkers in a public-house, where (I will so far agree with your temperance opinions) man is not always at his noblest; and the man from Honolulu had himself been drinking - drinking, we may charitably fancy, to excess.
It was to your ‘Dear Brother, the Reverend H. B. Gage,’ that you chose to communicate the sickening story; and the blue ribbon which adorns your portly bosom forbids me to allow you the extenuating plea that you were drunk when it was done. Your ‘dear brother’ - a brother indeed - made haste to deliver up
your letter (as a means of grace, perhaps) to the religious papers; where, after many months, I found and read and wondered at it; and whence I have now reproduced it for the wonder of others. And you and your dear brother have, by this cycle of operations, built up a contrast very edifying to examine in detail. The man whom you would not care to have to dinner, on the one side; on the other, the Reverend
Dr. Hyde and the Reverend H. B. Gage: the Apia bar-room, the Honolulu manse.
But I fear you scarce appreciate how you appear to your fellow-men; and to bring it home to you, I will suppose your story to be true. I will suppose - and God forgive me for supposing it - that Damien faltered and stumbled in his narrow path of duty; I will suppose that, in the horror of his isolation, perhaps in the fever of incipient disease, he, who was doing so much more than he had sworn, failed in the letter of his priestly oath - he, who was so much a better man than either you or me, who did what we have never dreamed of daring - he too tasted of our common frailty. ‘O, Iago, the pity of it!’ The least tender should be moved to tears; the most incredulous to prayer. And all that you could do was to pen your letter to the Reverend H. B. Gage!
Is it growing at all clear to you what a picture you have drawn of your own heart? I will try yet once again to make it clearer. You had a father: suppose this tale were about him, and some informant brought it to you, proof in hand: I am not making too high an estimate of your emotional nature when I suppose you would regret the circumstance? that you would feel the tale of frailty the more keenly since it shamed the author of your days? and that the last thing you would do would be to publish it in the religious press? Well, the man who tried to do what Damien did, is my father, and the father of the man in the Apia bar, and the father of all who love goodness; and he was your father too, if God had given you grace to see it.
Robert Louis Stevenson
(1) From the Sydney PRESBYTERIAN, October 26, 1889.
(Apparently Dr Hyde was hardly devastated by the letter, and Stevenson regretted some of its harshness--but RLS was right that Hydeis remembered solely on the basis of this Letter! And while dismissing RLS's
Letter as written by a "crank" Dr Hyde conceded it was
"brilliantly written.").
Father Damien was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 4, 1995.
Blessed Joseph Damien de
Vuester, pray for us!
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SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20050207115024/http://praiseofglory.com/rlsdamien.htm
Edward Clifford (1844–1907), Father
Damien in December 1888, Sacred Hearts Archives, Louvain
Gavan Daws (1984) Holy
Man: Father Damien of Molokai, University of Hawaii Press, p. Page
114
San Damiano de Veuster Sacerdote
Tremenloo, Belgio, 3 gennaio 1840 - Molokai, Isole Hawaii, 15 aprile 1889
I coniugi fiamminghi De Veuster hanno otto figli. Due diverranno suore e due preti dei Sacri Cuori di Gesù e Maria, detti anche «Società del Picpus», dalla via di Parigi dove è nata la congregazione. Giuseppe, penultimo degli otto, nato il 3 gennaio 1840, è destinato ad aiutare il padre, ma a 19 anni entra anche lui al Picpus prendendo il nome di fratel Damiano. Nell'istituto c'è anche suo fratello Pamphile: ordinato prete nel 1863, non va in missione perché malato e allora Damiano parte al suo posto anche se non è ancora sacerdote. Destinazione le Isole Sandwich, che più tardi si chiameranno Hawaii. Qui completa gli studi e diventa sacerdote nel 1864 e lavora nell'isola principale, Hawaii. Nel 1873 va nell'isola lazzaretto di Molokai, dove il governo confina i malati di lebbra e vi resterà per sempre. Nel 1885 viene contagiato. Muore dopo un mese e solo nel 1936 il suo corpo verrà riportato in Belgio. Giovanni Paolo II lo beatificò a Bruxelles nel 1995, mentre Benedetto XVI lo ha canonizzato in Piazza San Pietro l'11 ottobre 2009.
Etimologia: Damiano = domatore, o del popolo, dal greco
Martirologio Romano: In località Kalawao sull’isola di Molokai in Oceania, beato Damiano de Veuster, sacerdote della Congregazione dei Missionari dei Sacri Cuori di Gesù e Maria, che attese con tale dedizione all’assistenza dei lebbrosi, da morire colpito anch’egli dalla lebbra.
I coniugi fiamminghi De Veuster hanno otto figli, da cui escono due suore e due preti dei “Sacri Cuori di Gesù e Maria”, detti anche “Società del Picpus”, dalla via di Parigi dove è nata la congregazione. Giuseppe, penultimo degli otto, è destinato ad aiutare il padre, ma a 19 anni entra anche lui al Picpus prendendo il nome di fratel Damiano. Nell’istituto c’è anche suo fratello Pamphile: ordinato prete nel 1863, Pamphile non va in missione perché malato, e allora Damiano ottiene di partire al posto del fratello, anche se non è ancora stato ordinato sacerdote.
Destinazione della missione: le Isole Sandwich, così chiamate dal loro scopritore James Cook nel 1778 in onore di Lord Sandwich, capo della Marina inglese. Sono un arcipelago indipendente sotto una monarchia locale, e più tardi si chiameranno Isole Hawaii.
Damiano le raggiunge dopo 138 giorni di navigazione, da Brema a Honolulu. Completa gli studi, diventa sacerdote nel 1864 e lavora nell’isola principale, Hawaii. Istruisce la gente nella fede e insegna ad allevare montoni e maiali, come pure a coltivare la terra. Il divario culturale crea ostacoli duri, la solitudine a volte gli pare insopportabile.
Ma è solo un primo collaudo. Nel 1873 il suo vescovo cerca preti volontari per l’isola lazzaretto di Molokai, dove il governo confina tutti i malati di lebbra, togliendoli alle famiglie: si offrono in quattro, per turni di 34 settimane, e tra loro c’è padre Damiano, che va per primo a Molokai e vi resterà per sempre (tranne un breve soggiorno a Honolulu). Ci deve restare, perché il governo teme il contagio e gli proibisce di lasciare l’isola con i suoi 780800 malati ad alta mortalità: 183 decessi nei primi otto mesi.
Ma "tanti ne seppelliamo, altrettanti ne manda il governo". Ora fuma la pipa per difesa contro l’insopportabile odore di carne in disfacimento, che a volte lo fa svenire in chiesa. A Molokai è prete, medico e padre: cura le anime, lava le piaghe, distribuisce medicine, stimola il senso di dignità dei malati, che si organizzano, lavorano la terra, creano orfanotrofi: opera loro, orgoglio loro.
Nel 1885, ecco la scoperta: anche lui è stato contagiato dalla lebbra. Ed è
solo, aspettando a lungo un altro prete per confessarsi, fino all’arrivo del
padre belga Conrardy, pochi mesi prima della morte. Sopporta incomprensioni, ma
è capace di dire: "Sono tranquillo e rassegnato, e anche più felice in
questo mio mondo". Fino all’ultimo aiuta gli studi sulla lebbra,
sperimentando su di sé nuovi farmaci.
Muore dopo un mese di letto, e mille malati di lebbra lo seppelliscono ai piedi
di un albero. Nel 1936 il suo corpo verrà riportato in Belgio, a Lovanio.
Giovanni Paolo II lo ha beatificato a Bruxelles nel 1995, continuando l’iter
iniziato da Paolo VI nel 1967 su richiesta di 33 mila lebbrosi e concluso da
Benedetto XVI che lo ha canonizzato in Piazza San Pietro l'11 ottobre 2009.
Autore: Domenico Agasso
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/52750
Messaggero di speranza
Damiano è universalmente
riconosciuto per aver liberamente scelto di condividere la vita con i lebbrosi
confinati sulla penisola di Kalaupapa a Molokai. La sua partenza per l’isola «
maledetta », l’annuncio della sua malattia nel 1885 e quello della sua morte
colpirono profondamente i suoi contemporanei di tutte le confessioni.
Dopo la sua scomparsa, il
mondo lo ha considerato un modello e un eroe di carità. Identificandosi con i
lebbrosi, fino al punto di dire «noi lebbrosi », ha continuato a ispirare
milioni di credenti e non-credenti, desiderosi di imitarlo e di scoprire
la fonte del suo eroismo.
La vita e la morte di
Damiano sono dei fatti profetici. Non solo sono una denuncia contro
atteggiamenti contrari al rispetto dei diritti dell’uomo, ma sono anche un
appello alla speranza.
Oggi come allora, nel
mondo ci sono emarginati di ogni tipo: malati incurabili (colpiti da AIDS e
tanti altri), bambini e anziani abbandonati, giovani disorientati, donne
abusate, minoranze oppresse...
Per tutti vale l’appello
di Padre Damiano che ricorda l’amore infinito di Dio fatto di compassione,
fiducia, speranza e che denuncia le ingiustizie. In Damiano tutti possono
trovare l’araldo dalla Buona Novella. Come il Buon Samaritano, si è accostato a
tutti coloro che la malattia aveva relegato ai margini del sentiero della vita.
Per questo Damiano è un esempio per ogni uomo e ogni donna che desideri
impegnarsi nella lotta per un mondo più giusto, più umano, più conforme al
cuore di Dio.
Servitore di Dio, Damiano
è e resterà per tutti il servitore dell’uomo che più che vivere ha bisogno di
ragioni per vivere.
Ecco il Damiano che oggi
ancora ci sfida.
SOURCE : https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/josef-daamian-de-veuster.html
The
tombstone of Fr Damian in a Louvain church (Belgium)
Tombeau
du père Damien repose, crypte de l'église Saint-Antoine, Louvain.
VIAGGIO APOSTOLICO IN
BELGIO
OMELIA DI GIOVANNI PAOLO
II
Solennità di Pentecoste - Bruxelles
Domenica, 4 giugno 1995
Cari Fratelli e Sorelle,
1. “Come il Padre ha
mandato me, anch’io mando voi… Ricevete lo Spirito Santo” (Gv 20, 21-22).
Gli Apostoli udirono
queste parole dalla bocca di Cristo Risorto, la sera della Risurrezione. Al
mattino del primo giorno della settimana, le donne, e poi Pietro e Giovanni,
constatarono che la tomba dove Gesù era stato deposto era vuota. La sera dello
stesso giorno Gesù si presentò in mezzo a loro. Era lo stesso Gesù che avevano
conosciuto prima, ma allo stesso tempo era diverso. Sul suo corpo portava i
segni della crocifissione, eppure era risorto. Non essendo più sottoposto alle
leggi della materia, poteva entrare nel Cenacolo anche se tutte le porte erano
chiuse. Dopo aver salutato gli Apostoli: “La pace sia con voi!”, Gesù risorto
rivolse loro parole di fondamentale importanza, che decidono l’avvenire della
Chiesa: “Come il Padre ha mandato me, anch’io mando voi”. Dopo aver detto
questo, alitò su di loro e disse: “Ricevete lo Spirito Santo; a chi rimetterete
i peccati saranno rimessi e a chi non li rimetterete, resteranno non rimessi” (Gv 20,
22-23).
Il vero momento della
discesa dello Spirito Santo è la sera della Risurrezione. Gesù, figlio di Dio,
consustanziale al Padre, alita sugli Apostoli. Questo afflato manifesta
l’origine dello Spirito Santo, che viene dal Padre e dal Figlio. Questo soffio
è salvifico; racchiude tutta la potenza della redenzione operata da Cristo. Si
capisce perché Cristo, dopo aver detto agli Apostoli: “Ricevete lo Spirito
Santo”, parla subito della remissione dei peccati. Egli conferisce loro il
potere di rimettere i peccati, un potere che viene da Dio. Lo trasmette loro
assieme al soffio redentore, che annuncia la venuta definitiva dello Spirito
Santo. Il giorno di Pentecoste, la discesa dello Spirito Santo sugli Apostoli
portò al battesimo di quanti credettero in Cristo, sulla parola di Pietro, e
che volevano la salvezza, donata a tutta l’umanità, dalla Croce e dalla
Risurrezione di Cristo.
2. Gli Atti degli
Apostoli ci descrivono in modo dettagliato l’avvenimento della Pentecoste. Lo
Spirito Santo, il soffio del Padre e del Figlio, rivela la propria presenza
attraverso un violento colpo di vento. Contemporaneamente, lo Spirito Santo si
manifesta attraverso l’elemento del fuoco. Ecco che sopra gli Apostoli riuniti
nel Cenacolo, appare come un fuoco che si divide in lingue; se ne posa una
sulla testa di ognuno di loro. Il vento e il fuoco, elementi naturali,
testimoniano così la venuta dello Spirito Santo.
Tuttavia, queste
manifestazioni si accompagnano ad un fenomeno di ordine soprannaturale. Gli
Apostoli, pieni dello Spirito Santo, si mettono a parlare in altre lingue,
secondo il modo di esprimersi che lo Spirito dona loro. Questo avvenimento
suscita grande stupore in tutti quelli che si trovano a Gerusalemme, “Giudei
osservanti di ogni nazione che è sotto il cielo” (At 2, 5). Stupefatti e
meravigliati, esclamano: “Costoro che parlano non sono forse tutti Galilei? E
com’è che li sentiamo ciascuno parlare la nostra lingua nativa?” (At 2, 7-8).
Quando l’autore del libro
degli Atti degli Apostoli elenca i Paesi del mondo conosciuti a quell’epoca da
cui provengono i pellegrini che partecipano all’evento della Pentecoste,
delinea quasi una geografia della prima evangelizzazione, che gli apostoli
devono compiere, annunciando nelle varie lingue “le meraviglie di Dio”. A parte
Roma, non viene menzionato nessun Paese dell’occidente, del centro, del nord o
dell’est dell’Europa. Il Belgio non viene nominato, e nemmeno le isole
dell’arcipelago di Molokaî, nel lontano Pacifico. Non si parla della patria di
Padre Damiano de Veuster, né del paese nel quale sarebbe andato in missione e
avrebbe dato la sua vita per Cristo, realizzando così il servizio dell’amore
per il prossimo.
3. Evocando i luoghi cari
al cuore di Padre Damiano, saluto le Loro Maestà il Re dei Belgi e la Regina,
Sua Maestà la Regina Fabiola, così come i membri del Corpo diplomatico e le
Autorità civili. Esprimo i miei auguri fraterni al Cardinale Danneels in
occasione del suo compleanno; i miei fervidi auguri vanno anche al Cardinale
Suenens, che festeggerà il suo compleanno fra qualche giorno. Porgo i miei
cordiali saluti a tutti i Vescovi. Sono lieto per la presenza della famiglia di
Padre Damiano, di numerosi missionari, e delle delegazioni delle città di
Tremelo, Malonne e Lovanio, e dell’Associazione degli Amici di Padre Damiano.
Sono felice di accogliere
i delegati delle Isole Hawai.
A tutti voi, vanno i miei
auguri fervidi e sinceri. La pace e l’amore di Cristo siano con voi!
4. Nel corso dei secoli,
la Chiesa non ha mai cessato di crescere e di portare il Vangelo fino ai
confini della terra, rispondendo alla chiamata di Cristo, che ha donato lo
Spirito Santo, forza indispensabile affinché gli uomini svolgessero questo
compito di evangelizzazione. La Chiesa rende grazie allo Spirito Santo per
Padre Damiano, poiché è lo Spirito che gli ha ispirato il desiderio di
consacrarsi senza riserve ai lebbrosi nelle isole del Pacifico, in particolare
a Molokaî. Oggi, attraverso le mie parole, la Chiesa riconosce e conferma il
valore esemplare di Padre Damiano sul cammino della santità, lodando Dio per
averlo guidato fino alla fine della sua esistenza, lungo un cammino spesso
difficile. Essa contempla con gioia ciò che Dio può realizzare attraverso la
fragilità umana, poiché “è lui che ci dà la santità ed è l’uomo che la riceve”
(Origene, Omelie su Samuele, I,11, 11).
Padre Damiano ha vissuto
una forma particolare di santità nel corso del suo ministero; era allo stesso
tempo sacerdote, religioso e missionario. Attraverso queste tre qualità, egli
ha rilevato il volto di Cristo, indicando il cammino della salvezza, insegnando
il Vangelo ed essendo un infaticabile agente di sviluppo. Ha organizzato la
vita religiosa, sociale e fraterna di Molokaî, isola messa al bando dalla
società a quell’epoca; con lui, ognuno aveva il suo posto, ognuno veniva
riconosciuto e amato dai suoi fratelli.
In questo giorno di
Pentecoste, domandiamo per noi come per tutti gli uomini l’assistenza dello
Spirito Santo, per lasciare che discenda su di noi. Abbiamo la certezza che non
ci impone niente che non sia accessibile, ma che, a volte attraverso cammini
scoscesi, porta il nostro essere e la nostra esistenza alla perfezione. Questa
celebrazione è anche un appello ad approfondire la vita spirituale,
indipendentemente dal nostro essere malati o sani, e dalla nostra posizione
sociale.
Cari Fratelli e Sorelle
del Belgio, ognuno di voi è chiamato alla santità: mettete il vostro talento al
servizio di Cristo, della Chiesa e dei vostri fratelli; lasciatevi plasmare con
umiltà e pazienza dallo Spirito! La santità non è la perfezione secondo i
criteri umani; non è riservata ad un esiguo numero di individui eccezionali.
Essa è per tutti; è il Signore che ci fa accedere alla santità, quando
accettiamo di collaborare per la gloria di Dio alla salvezza del mondo,
malgrado il nostro peccato e il nostro temperamento a volte ribelle. Nella
vostra vita quotidiana, siete chiamati a fare delle scelte che richiedono,
“alcune volte, sacrifici non comuni” (Veritatis Splendor,
102). La vera felicità ha questo prezzo. L’apostolo dei lebbrosi ne è il
testimone.
5. Today’s celebration is
also a call to solidarity. While Damien was among the sick, he could say
in his heart: "Our Lord will give me the graces I need to carry my cross
and follow him, even to our special Calvary at Kalawao". The certainty
that the only things that count are love and the gift of self was his
inspiration and the source of his happiness. The apostle of the lepers is a
shining example of how the love of God does not take us away from the world.
Far from it: the love of Christ makes us love our brothers and sisters even to
the point of giving up our lives for them.
I am pleased to greet the
Bishop of Honolulu who accompanied the pilgrims of Hawaii for this solemn
joyful celebration.
Ecco le parole del Santo
Padre in una nostra traduzione in lingua italiana.
5. La celebrazione di
oggi è anche un appello alla solidarietà. Quando Damiano si trovava in mezzo ai
malati, poteva pronunciare nel suo cuore queste parole: “Nostro Signore mi darà
la grazia necessaria per portare la mia croce seguendolo, fino al nostro
Golgota speciale di Kalakao”. La certezza che contano solo l’amore e il dono di
sé lo incoraggiava e lo rendeva felice. L’apostolo dei lebbrosi è un esempio
luminoso del fatto che l’amore per Dio non allontana dal mondo, ma anzi l’amore
di Cristo porta ad amare i propri fratelli fino a dare la propria vita per
essi.
Sono felice di salutare
il Vescovo di Honolulu che guida i pellegrini delle Hawai a questa solenne
celebrazione.
6. An euch, liebe
Schwestern und Brüder Belgiens, liegt es, die Fackel Pater Damians erneut zu
ergreifen. Sein Zeugnis ist für euch alle, vor allem für euch junge Menschen,
ein Anruf, um ihn kennenlernen zu können und durch sein Opfer in euch die
Sehnsucht nach der Gottesliebe, dem Quell aller wahren Liebe und jedes
gelungenen Lebens, und das Verlangen, aus eurem Leben eine fruchtbare Gabe zu
machen, wachsen zu lassen.
Ecco le parole del Santo
Padre in una nostra traduzione in lingua italiana.
6. Cari fratelli e
sorelle del Belgio, tocca oggi a voi riprendere la fiaccola di Padre Damiano.
La sua testimonianza è per voi un appello, soprattutto per voi giovani,
affinché possiate tutti conoscerlo, e, attraverso il suo sacrificio, crescano
in voi il desiderio di amare Dio, fonte del vero amore e di una vita felice, e
il desiderio di fare della vostra vita un’autentica offerta.
7. Mon cœur se
tourne vers ceux qui sont aujourd’hui encore atteints de la lèpre. Avec
Damien, ils ont désormais un intercesseur, car, avant d’être malade, il s’était
déjà identifié à eux et disait souvent: “Nous autres, lépreux”. En appuyant
auprès de Paul VI la cause de béatification, Raoul Follereau avait eu
l’intuition du rayonnement spirituel que Damien pouvait avoir après sa mort. Ma
prière rejoint aussi tous ceux qui sont frappés par des maladies graves et
incurables, ou qui sont à l’approche de la mort. Comme les évêques de votre
pays l’ont rappelé, tous les hommes ont le droit d’avoir, de la part de leurs
frères, une main tendue, une parole, un regard, une présence patiente et
aimante, même s’il n’y a pas d’espoir de guérison. Frères et Sœurs
malades, vous êtes aimés de Dieu et de l’Eglise! La souffrance est pour
l’humanité un mystère inexplicable; si elle écrase l’homme laissé à ses propres
forces, elle trouve un sens dans le mystère du Christ mort et ressuscité, qui
demeure proche de tout être et qui lui murmure: “Courage, j’ai vaincu le
monde”. Je rends grâce au Seigneur pour les personnes qui
accompagnent et entourent les malades, les petits, les êtres faibles et sans
défense, les exclus: je pense spécialement aux professionnels de la santé, aux
prêtres et aux laïcs des équipes d’aumônerie, aux visiteurs d’hôpitaux, et à
ceux qui se dévouent pour la cause de la vie, pour la sauvegarde des enfants,
et pour que chaque homme ait un toit et une place au sein de la société. Par
leur action, ils rappellent l’incomparable dignité de nos frères qui souffrent,
dans leur corps ou dans leur cœur; ils manifestent que toute vie, même la plus
fragile et la plus souffrante, a du poids et du prix au regard de Dieu. Avec
les yeux de la foi, au–delà des apparences, on peut voir que tout être est
porteur du riche trésor de son humanité et de la présence de Dieu, qui l’a
tissé dès l’origine.
Ecco le parole del Santo
Padre in una nostra traduzione in lingua italiana.
7. Il mio cuore si
rivolge a quanti ancora oggi sono colpiti dalla lebbra. In Damiano, essi hanno
ormai un intercessore, poiché, prima di ammalarsi, si era già identificato con
essi e diceva spesso: “Noi altri, lebbrosi”. Postulando presso Paolo VI la
causa di beatificazione, Raoul Follereau aveva intuito l’influenza spirituale
che Damiano poteva avere dopo la sua morte. La mia preghiera raggiunge anche
tutti coloro che sono colpiti da malattie gravi e incurabili, o che sono vicini
alla morte. Come hanno ricordato i Vescovi del vostro Paese, tutti gli uomini
hanno il diritto di ricevere, da parte dei loro fratelli, una mano tesa, una
parola, uno sguardo, una presenza paziente e amorevole anche quando non c’è
speranza di guarigione. Fratelli e sorelle malati, siete amati da Dio e dalla
Chiesa! La sofferenza è per l’umanità un mistero inspiegabile; se schiaccia
l’uomo abbandonato alle proprie forze, essa trova un senso nel mistero di
Cristo morto e risorto, che rimane vicino a qualsiasi uomo e gli sussurra:
“Abbiate fiducia; io ho vinto il mondo” (Gv 16, 33). Rendo grazie al
Signore per le persone che accompagnano e circondano i malati, i bambini, gli
individui più deboli e indifesi, gli emarginati: penso soprattutto ai
professionisti della salute, ai sacerdoti e ai laici dei gruppi di cappellani,
a quanti visitano gli ospedali, e a quanti si dedicano alla causa della vita,
per la tutela dell’infanzia, e affinché ogni uomo abbia un tetto e un posto in
seno alla società. Con le loro azioni, essi ricordano l’incomparabile dignità
dei nostri fratelli che soffrono, nel corpo e nel cuore; essi mostrano che ogni
vita, anche la più fragile e la più sofferente, ha un peso e un valore agli
occhi di Dio. Con gli occhi della fede, al di là delle apparenze, si può vedere
come qualsiasi essere sia portatore del ricco tesoro della sua umanità e della
presenza di Dio, che ne ha tessuto la trama fin dalle origini (cf. Sal 139).
8. Dans la Première
Lettre aux Corinthiens, saint Paul écrit: “Personne n’est capable de dire
"Jésus est le Seigneur" s’il n’est avec l’Esprit Saint”. En
effet, dire “Jésus est le Seigneur” signifie confesser sa divinité, comme
l’avait confessée saint Pierre au nom des Apôtres à Césarée de Philippe. “Le
Seigneur” – Kyrios en grec – est celui qui domine sur toute la
création, celui auquel s’adresse le psaume que nous avons entendu: “Bénis le
Seigneur, ô mon âme; Seigneur mon Dieu, tu es si grand! Quelle profusion dans
tes œuvres, Seigneur! La terre s’emplit de tes biens. Tu reprends leur souffle,
ils expirent et retournent à leur poussière. Tu envoies ton souffle: ils sont
créés; tu renouvelles la face de la terre”.
Ces versets de la
liturgie parlent du pouvoir de Dieu sur toute la création. Elles
concernent l’Esprit Saint, qui est Dieu, et qui donne la vie avec le Père
et le Fils. Aussi, l’Eglise prie–t–elle aujourd’hui: “O Seigneur, envoie ton
Esprit qui renouvelle la face de la terre”! L’Esprit Saint fait en sorte
que l’homme parvienne à la connaissance du Christ et confesse sa divinité:
“Jésus est Seigneur” – Kyrios!
Cette foi en la divinité
du Christ, le Père Damien, d’une certaine manière, l’a sucée avec le lait
maternel, dans sa famille en Flandres. Il a grandi avec elle et il la porta
ensuite à ses frères et sœurs, dans les lointaines îles Molokaï. Pour confirmer
jusqu’au bout la vérité de son témoignage, il a offert sa vie au milieu d’eux.
Qu’aurait–il pu offrir d’autre aux lépreux, condamnés à une mort lente, sinon sa
propre foi et cette vérité que le Christ est Seigneur et que Dieu est
Amour? Il devint lépreux au milieu des lépreux, il devint lépreux pour les
lépreux. Il a souffert et il est mort comme eux, croyant en la résurrection
dans le Christ, car le Christ est Seigneur!
Ecco le parole del Santo
Padre in una nostra traduzione in lingua italiana.
8. Nella Prima Lettera ai
Corinzi, san Paolo scrive: “Nessuno può dire: “Gesù è Signore” se non sotto
l’azione dello Spirito Santo” (1 Cor 12, 3). Infatti, dire “Gesù è il
Signore” significa ammettere la sua divinità, come l’aveva ammessa san Pietro
in nome degli Apostoli a Cesarea di Filippi. “Il Signore” – Kyrios in greco – è
colui che domina su tutta la creazione, colui al quale si rivolge il salmo che
abbiamo ascoltato: Benedici il Signore, anima mia, Signore, mio Dio, quanto sei
grande!... Quanto sono grandi le tue opere, Signore!... la terra è piena delle
tue creature... togli loro il respiro, muoiono e ritornano nella loro
polvere... Mandi il tuo spirito, sono creati, e rinnovi la faccia della terra”
(Sal 104, 1. 24. 29-30).
Questi versetti della
liturgia parlano del potere di Dio su tutto il creato. Riguardano lo Spirito
Santo, che è Dio, e che dona la vita con il Padre e il Figlio. Ecco perché la
Chiesa oggi prega così: “Signore, manda il tuo Spirito a rinnovare la faccia
della terra”! Lo Spirito Santo fa in modo che l’uomo arrivi alla conoscenza di
Cristo e ammetta la sua divinità: “Gesù è Signore” – Kyrios!
Questa fede nella
divinità di Cristo, Padre Damiano, in un certo modo, l’ha succhiata con il
latte materno, nella sua famiglia nelle Fiandre. È cresciuto con essa e l’ha
portata in seguito ai suoi fratelli e sorelle, nelle lontane isole Molokaî. Per
confermare fino alla fine la verità della sua testimonianza, ha offerto la sua
vita in mezzo a loro. Che altro avrebbe potuto offrire ai lebbrosi, condannati
ad una morte lenta, se non la sua fede e quella verità secondo la quale Cristo
è Signore e Dio è amore? È diventato lebbroso in mezzo ai lebbrosi, è diventato
lebbroso per i lebbrosi. Ha sofferto ed è morto come loro, credendo nella
risurrezione in Cristo, poiché Cristo è Signore!
9. Saint Paul écrit
encore: “Les dons de la grâce sont variés, mais c’est toujours le même Esprit.
Les fonctions dans l’Eglise sont variées, mais c’est toujours le même Seigneur.
Les activités sont variées, mais c’est toujours le même Dieu qui agit en tous.
Chacun reçoit le don de manifester l’Esprit en vue du bien de tous”. Par
ces paroles, l’Apôtre présente une vision dynamique de l’Eglise, dynamique
et en même temps charismatique. Dans cette vision charismatique, se
manifeste l’Esprit que le Père, au nom du Christ, envoie sur les Apôtres. Tout
a sa source dans les divers dons de la grâce, qui rendent les croyants capables
de réaliser les activités, les vocations et les ministères variés, dans
l’Eglise et dans le monde.
Le regard de Paul est
universel, et, dans ce regard universel, nous retrouvons certainement une
partie de la vie de notre bienheureux: son charisme, sa vocation et son ministère.
En tout ceci, l’Esprit Saint s’est manifesté, pour le bien de tous. La
béatification du Père Damien sert au bien de toute l’Eglise. Elle revêt une
importance particulière pour l’Eglise qui est en Belgique, ainsi que pour
l’Eglise dans les îles de l’Océanie.
Ecco le parole del Santo
Padre in una nostra traduzione in lingua italiana.
9. San Paolo scrive
ancora: “Vi sono poi diversità di carismi, ma uno solo è lo Spirito; vi sono
diversità di ministeri, ma uno solo è il Signore; vi sono diversità di operazioni,
ma uno solo è Dio che opera tutto in tutti. E a ciascuno è data una
manifestazione particolare dello Spirito per l’utilità comune” (1 Cor 12,
4-7). Con queste parole l’Apostolo presenta una visione dinamica della Chiesa,
dinamica e al tempo stesso carismatica. In questa visione carismatica, si
manifesta lo Spirito infuso sugli Apostoli dal Padre in nome di Cristo. Ogni
cosa ha la sua fonte nei diversi doni della grazia, che rendono i credenti
capaci di svolgere le attività, le vocazioni e i vari ministeri, nella Chiesa e
nel mondo.
Lo sguardo di Paolo è
universale, e, in questo sguardo universale, ritroviamo certamente una parte
della vita del nostro beato: il suo carisma, la sua vocazione e il suo
ministero. In tutto ciò, lo Spirito Santo si è manifestato per il bene di
tutti. La beatificazione di Padre Damiano apporta beneficio a tutta la Chiesa.
Essa riveste un’importanza particolare per la Chiesa in Belgio, come anche per
la Chiesa nelle isole dell’Oceania.
10. Il est providentiel
que cette béatification se déroule au cours de la solennité de la
Pentecôte. Dans la Lettre au Corinthiens, Paul continue ainsi: “Notre
corps forme un tout, il a pourtant plusieurs membres; et tous les membres,
malgré leur nombre, ne forment qu’un seul corps. Il en est ainsi pour le
Christ. Tous, ...nous avons été baptisés dans l’unique Esprit pour former un
seul corps. Tous, nous avons été désaltérés par l’unique Esprit”. Cet
Esprit a soufflé dans les lointaines îles de l’Océanie, par le ministère du
Père Damien; il trouve un écho dans vos familles, dans vos paroisses et dans
les Congrégations missionnaires. Dans l’histoire de votre pays, se sont
multipliées les œuvres, pour le bien et la croissance de l’Eglise; il faut
noter en particulier la naissance de nombreuses congrégations religieuses qui
ont eu un rayonnement important, par leurs activités spirituelles, caritatives,
intellectuelles et sociales. D’autre part, des personnes douées de profonds
charismes ont commencé à réaliser de grandes œuvres. Il suffit de mentionner
des fondations comme les Universités catholiques de Louvain et de
Louvain–la–Neuve, ainsi que la Jeunesse ouvrière catholique (JOC); il
suffit de se rappeler des personnes comme le Cardinal Mercier, pionnier de
l’œcuménisme, ou plus tard, le Cardinal Cardijn, fondateur de la JOC, et bien
d’autres par qui l’Esprit agissait, pour le bien de toute l’Eglise, non
seulement sur votre terre, mais encore dans le monde entier.
Ecco le parole del Santo
Padre in una nostra traduzione in lingua italiana.
10. È provvidenziale che
questa beatificazione si svolga nel corso della solennità della Pentecoste.
Nella Lettera ai Corinti, Paolo continua così: “Come infatti il corpo, pur
essendo uno, ha molte membra e tutte le membra, pur essendo molte, sono un
corpo solo, così anche Cristo. ...tutti siamo stati battezzati in un solo
Spirito per formare un solo corpo... Tutti ci siamo abbeverati a un solo
Spirito” (1 Cor 12, 12-13). Questo Spirito ha soffiato nelle lontane isole
dell’Oceania, attraverso il ministero di Padre Damiano; esso trova eco nelle
vostre famiglie, nelle vostre parrocchie e nelle Congregazioni missionarie.
Nella storia del vostro Paese si sono moltiplicate le opere, volte al bene e
alla crescita della Chiesa; bisogna citare in particolare la nascita di numerose
congregazioni religiose che hanno avuto una diffusione importante, con le loro
attività spirituali, caritative, intellettuali e sociali. D’altra parte,
persone dotate di profondi carismi hanno intrapreso grandi opere. È sufficiente
ricordare fondazioni come le Università cattoliche di Lovanio e di
Lovanio-la-Nuova, così come la Jeunesse ouvrière catholique (J.O.C.) (Gioventù
Operaia Cattolica); basta menzionare persone come il Cardinale Mercier,
pioniere dell’ecumenismo, o il Cardinale Cardijn, fondatore della J.O.C. e
molte altre attraverso cui lo Spirito ha operato, per il bene di tutta la
Chiesa, non solo nel vostro Paese ma in tutto il mondo.
11. Bienheureux Damien,
tu t’es laissé conduire par l’Esprit Saint, en fils obéissant à la volonté du
Père. Par ta vie et par ton œuvre missionnaire, tu manifestes la tendresse et
la miséricorde du Christ pour tout homme, lui dévoilant la beauté de son être
intérieur, qu’aucune maladie, qu’aucune difformité ni que nulle faiblesse
ne peuvent totalement défigurer. Par ton action et par ta prédication, tu
rappelles que Jésus a pris sur lui la pauvreté et la souffrance des hommes, et
qu’il en a révélé la valeur mystérieuse. Intercède auprès du Christ, médecin
des corps et des âmes, pour nos frères et sœurs malades, afin que, dans les
angoisses et les douleurs, ils ne se sentent pas abandonnés, mais, unis au
Seigneur ressuscité et à son Eglise, qu’ils découvrent que l’Esprit Saint vient
les visiter, et qu’ils obtiennent ainsi la consolation promise aux affligés.
Ecco le parole del Santo
Padre in una nostra traduzione in lingua italiana.
11. Beato Damiano, ti sei
lasciato guidare dallo Spirito Santo, come un figlio che obbedisce alla volontà
del Padre. Con la tua vita e la tua attività missionaria, esprimi la tenerezza
e la misericordia di Cristo per ogni uomo, svelandogli la bellezza del suo
essere interiore, che nessuna malattia, nessuna deformità e nessuna debolezza
possono sfigurare completamente. Con il tuo operato e la tua predicazione,
ricordi che Gesù ha fatto sue la povertà e la sofferenza degli uomini, e che ne
ha rivelato il valore misterioso. Intercedi presso Cristo, medico dei corpi e
delle anime, per i nostri fratelli e sorelle malati, affinché, nell’angoscia e
nel dolore, non si sentano abbandonati ma, uniti al Signore risorto e alla sua
Chiesa, scoprano che lo Spirito Santo discende su di loro e possano ottenere
così la consolazione promessa agli afflitti.
12. “Gloire au Seigneur à
tout jamais! Que Dieu se réjouisse en ses œuvres”! C’est avec ces paroles
du psalmiste que je veux conclure notre méditation, en ce jour solennel si
attendu, au cours duquel le fruit mûr de la sainteté – le Père Damien de
Veuster – reçoit la gloire des autels dans sa patrie. Frères et sœurs,
soyez dociles à l’Esprit Saint, pour qu’à travers votre vie les hommes puissent
découvrir le Dieu de qui vient tout don parfait!
Ecco le parole del Santo
Padre in una nostra traduzione in lingua italiana.
12. “La gloria del
Signore sia per sempre; gioisca il Signore delle sue opere” (Sal 104, 31).
È con queste parole del salmista che desidero concludere la nostra meditazione,
in questo giorno solenne tanto atteso, durante il quale il frutto maturo della
santità – Padre Damiano de Veuster – riceve la gloria degli altari nella sua
patria. Fratelli e sorelle, siate aperti allo Spirito Santo, affinché
attraverso la vostra vita gli uomini possano scoprire il Dio da cui proviene
ogni dono perfetto!
Copyright © Dicastero per
la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
OMELIA DEL SANTO PADRE
BENEDETTO XVI
Basilica Vaticana
Domenica, 11 ottobre 2009
Cari fratelli e sorelle!
“Che cosa devo fare per
avere in eredità la vita eterna?”. Con questa domanda ha inizio il breve dialogo,
che abbiamo ascoltato nella pagina evangelica, tra un tale, altrove
identificato come il giovane ricco, e Gesù (cfr Mc 10,17-30). Non
abbiamo molti dettagli circa questo anonimo personaggio; dai pochi tratti
riusciamo tuttavia a percepire il suo sincero desiderio di giungere alla vita
eterna conducendo un’onesta e virtuosa esistenza terrena. Conosce infatti i
comandamenti e li osserva fedelmente sin dalla giovinezza. Eppure tutto questo,
che è certo importante, non basta, - dice Gesù - manca una cosa soltanto, ma
qualcosa di essenziale. Vedendolo allora ben disposto, il divino Maestro lo
fissa con amore e gli propone il salto di qualità, lo chiama all'eroismo della
santità, gli chiede di abbandonare tutto per seguirlo: “Vendi quello che hai e
dallo ai poveri... e vieni e seguimi!” (v. 21).
“Vieni e seguimi!”. Ecco
la vocazione cristiana che scaturisce da una proposta di amore del Signore, e
che può realizzarsi solo grazie a una nostra risposta di amore. Gesù invita i
suoi discepoli al dono totale della loro vita, senza calcolo e tornaconto
umano, con una fiducia senza riserve in Dio. I santi accolgono quest'invito
esigente, e si mettono con umile docilità alla sequela di Cristo crocifisso e
risorto. La loro perfezione, nella logica della fede talora umanamente
incomprensibile, consiste nel non mettere più al centro se stessi, ma nello
scegliere di andare controcorrente vivendo secondo il Vangelo. Così hanno fatto
i cinque santi che oggi, con grande gioia, vengono posti alla venerazione della
Chiesa universale: Zygmunt
Szczęsny Feliński, Francisco Coll y Guitart, Jozef Damiaan de Veuster, Rafael
Arnáiz Barón e Marie de la Croix (Jeanne) Jugan. In essi contempliamo
realizzate le parole dell’apostolo Pietro: “Ecco, noi abbiamo lasciato tutto e
ti abbiamo seguito” (v. 28) e la consolante assicurazione di Gesù: “non c'è
nessuno che abbia lasciato casa o fratelli o sorelle o madre o padre o figli o
campi per causa mia e per causa del Vangelo , che non riceva già ora... cento
volte tanto... insieme a persecuzioni, e la vita eterna nel tempo che verrà”
(vv. 29-30)
Zygmunt
Szczęsny Feliński, arcybiskup Warszawy, założyciel zgromadzenia
Franciszkanek Rodziny Maryi, był wielkim świadkiem wiary i duszpasterskiej
miłości w czasach bardzo trudnych dla narodu i Kościoła w Polsce. Gorliwie dbał
o duchowy wzrost wiernych i pomagał ubogim i sierotom. W Akademii Duchownej w
Petersburgu starał się o solidną formację przyszłych kapłanów. Jako arcybiskup
warszawski zapalał wszystkich do wewnętrznej odnowy. Przed wybuchem powstania
styczniowego ostrzegał przed niepotrzebnym rozlewem krwi. Jednak, gdy powstanie
się rozpoczęło i gdy nastąpiły represje, odważnie stanął w obronie uciśnionych.
Z rozkazu cara rosyjskiego spędził dwadzieścia lat na wygnaniu w Jarosławiu nad
Wołgą. Nigdy już nie mógł powrócić do swojej diecezji. W każdej sytuacji
zachował niewzruszoną ufność w Bożą Opatrzność i tak się modlił: „O Boże, nie
od udręczeń i trosk tego świata nas ochraniaj... pomnażaj tylko miłość w
sercach naszych i daj, abyśmy przy najgłębszej pokorze zachowali nieograniczoną
ufność w pomoc i miłosierdzie Twoje”. Dziś jego ufne i pełne miłości oddanie
Bogu i ludziom staje się świetlanym wzorem dla całego Kościoła.
[Zygmunt
Szczęsny Feliński, Arcivescovo di Varsavia, fondatore della congregazione
delle Francescane della Famiglia di Maria, è stato un grande testimone della
fede e della carità pastorale in tempi molto difficili per la nazione e per la
Chiesa in Polonia. Si preoccupò con zelo della crescita spirituale dei fedeli,
aiutava i poveri e gli orfani. All’Accademia Ecclesiastica di San Pietroburgo
curò una solida formazione dei sacerdoti. Come Arcivescovo di Varsavia infiammò
tutti verso un rinnovamento interiore. Prima dell’insurrezione del gennaio 1863
contro l’annessione russa mise in guardia il popolo dall’inutile spargimento
del sangue. Quando però scoppiò la sommossa e ci furono le repressioni,
coraggiosamente difese gli oppressi. Per ordine dello zar russo passò vent’anni
in esilio a Jaroslaw sul Volga, senza poter fare mai più ritorno nella sua
diocesi. In ogni situazione conservò incrollabile la fiducia nella Divina
Provvidenza, e così pregava: “Oh, Dio, proteggici non dalle tribolazioni e
dalle preoccupazioni di questo mondo… solo moltiplica l’amore nei nostri cuori
e fa che con la più profonda umiltà manteniamo l’infinita fiducia nel Tuo aiuto
e nella Tua misericordia…”. Oggi il suo donarsi a Dio e agli uomini, pieno di
fiducia e di amore, diventa un fulgido esempio per tutta la Chiesa.]
San Pablo nos recuerda en
la segunda lectura que «la Palabra de Dios es viva y eficaz» (Hb 4,12). En
ella, el Padre, que está en el cielo, conversa amorosamente con sus hijos de
todos los tiempos (cf. Dei Verbum, 21), dándoles a conocer su infinito
amor y, de este modo, alentarlos, consolarlos y ofrecerles su designio de
salvación para la humanidad y para cada persona. Consciente de ello, San
Francisco Coll se dedicó con ahínco a propagarla, cumpliendo así
fielmente su vocación en la Orden de Predicadores, en la que profesó. Su pasión
fue predicar, en gran parte de manera itinerante y siguiendo la forma de
«misiones populares», con el fin de anunciar y reavivar por pueblos y ciudades
de Cataluña la Palabra de Dios, ayudando así a las gentes al encuentro profundo
con Él. Un encuentro que lleva a la conversión del corazón, a recibir con gozo
la gracia divina y a mantener un diálogo constante con Nuestro Señor mediante
la oración. Por eso, su actividad evangelizadora incluía una gran entrega al
sacramento de la Reconciliación, un énfasis destacado en la Eucaristía y una
insistencia constante en la oración. Francisco
Coll llegaba al corazón de los demás porque trasmitía lo que él mismo
vivía con pasión en su interior, lo que ardía en su corazón: el amor de
Cristo, su entrega a Él. Para que la semilla de la Palabra de Dios encontrara
buena tierra, Francisco fundó la congregación de las Hermanas Dominicas de la
Anunciata, con el fin de dar una educación integral a niños y jóvenes, de modo
que pudieran ir descubriendo la riqueza insondable que es Cristo, ese amigo
fiel que nunca nos abandona ni se cansa de estar a nuestro lado, animando
nuestra esperanza con su Palabra de vida.
[San Paolo nella seconda
lettura ci ricorda che "la Parola di Dio è viva, efficace" (Eb 4,
12). In essa, il Padre, che è in cielo, conversa amorevolmente con i suoi figli
in ogni tempo (cfr. Dei
Verbum, n. 22), facendo conoscere loro il suo infinito amore e, in tal
modo, incoraggiarli, consolarli e offrire loro il suo disegno di salvezza per
l'umanità e per ogni persona. Consapevole di ciò, san
Francisco Coll si dedicò con impegno a diffonderla, compiendo così
fedelmente la sua vocazione nell'Ordine dei Predicatori, nel quale emise la
professione. La sua passione fu predicare, in gran parte in modo itinerante e
seguendo la forma delle "missioni popolari", al fine di annunciare e
di ravvivare nei paesi e nelle città della Catalogna la Parola di Dio, guidando
così le persone all'incontro profondo con Lui. Un incontro che porta alla
conversione del cuore, a ricevere con gioia la grazia divina e a mantenere un
dialogo costante con Nostro Signore mediante la preghiera. Per questo, la sua
attività evangelizzatrice includeva una grande dedizione al sacramento della
Riconciliazione, un'enfasi particolare sull'Eucarestia e un'insistenza costante
sulla preghiera. Francisco
Coll giungeva al cuore degli altri perché trasmetteva quello che egli
stesso viveva con passione nel suo intimo, quello che ardeva nel suo
cuore: l'amore a Cristo, il suo dono di sé a Lui. Affinché il seme della
Parola di Dio trovasse un terreno buono, Francisco fondò la congregazione delle
Suore Domenicane dell'Annunciazione, al fine di offrire un'educazione integrale
ai bambini e ai giovani, di modo che potessero scoprire la ricchezza
insondabile che è Cristo, questo amico fedele che non ci abbandona mai e non si
stanca di stare al nostro fianco, animando la nostra speranza con la sua Parola
di vita].
Jozef
De Veuster, die de naam Damiaan verkreeg in de Congregatie van de
Heilige Harten van Jezus en Maria, verliet zijn geboorteland Vlaanderen toen
hij drie en twintig (23) jaar oud was, in achttienhonderd drie en zestig
(1863), en wel om het Evangelie te verkondigen aan de andere kant van de wereld
in de Hawaï-eilanden. Zijn missieactiviteit, die hem zoveel vreugde heeft
verschaft, gaat zijn hoogtepunt vinden in de naastenliefde. Niet zonder vrees
en weerzin, heeft hij ervoor gekozen naar het eiland Molokaï te gaan ten
dienste van de melaatsen die zich daar bevinden, door iedereen verlaten; zo
stelt hij zich bloot aan de ziekte waaronder ze lijden. Hij voelt zich bij hen
thuis. De dienaar van het Woord is een lijdende dienaar geworden, melaats met
de melaatsen gedurende de laatste vier jaar van zijn leven. Um Christus
nachzufolgen, hat Pater Damian nicht nur seine Heimat verlassen, sondern auch seine
eigene Gesundheit aufs Spiel gesezt: deshalb hat er - nach dem Wort, das Jesus
uns heute im Evangelium verkündet - das ewige Leben bekommen (vgl. Mk 10,30).
En ce 20ème anniversaire de la canonisation d’un autre saint belge, le
Frère Mutien-Marie, l’Eglise en Belgique est unie une nouvelle fois pour rendre
grâce à Dieu pour l’un de ses fils reconnu comme un authentique serviteur de
Dieu. Nous nous souvenons devant cette noble figure que c’est la charité qui
fait l’unité : elle l’enfante et la rend désirable. À la suite de saint
Paul, saint
Damien nous entraîne à choisir les bons combats (cf. 1 Tim 1,
18), non pas ceux qui portent la division, mais ceux qui rassemblent. Il nous
invite à ouvrir les yeux sur les lèpres qui défigurent l’humanité de nos frères
et appellent encore aujourd’hui, plus que notre générosité, la charité de notre
présence servante.
[Jozef De Veuster, che nella Congregazione dei Sacri Cuori di Gesù e di Maria ha ricevuto il nome di Damiaan, quando aveva ventitré (23) anni, nel 1863, lasciò il suo Paese natale, le Fiandre, per annunciare il Vangelo all'altra parte del mondo, nelle Isole Hawaii. La sua attività missionaria, che gli ha dato tanta gioia, raggiunge il suo culmine nella carità. Non senza paura e ripugnanza, fece la scelta di andare nell'Isola di Molokai al servizio dei lebbrosi che si trovavano là, abbandonati da tutti; così si espose alla malattia della quale essi soffrivano. Con loro si sentì a casa. Il servitore della Parola divenne così un servitore sofferente, lebbroso con i lebbrosi, durante gli ultimi quattro anni della sua vita.
Per seguire Cristo, il Padre Damiano non ha solo lasciato la sua patria, ma ha anche messo in gioco la sua salute: perciò egli - come dice la parola di Gesù che ci è stata annunciata nel Vangelo di oggi - ha ricevuto la vita eterna (cfr. Mc 10, 30)
In questo ventesimo anniversario della canonizzazione di un altro santo belga,
Fratel Mutien-Marie, la Chiesa in Belgio è riunita ancora una volta per rendere
grazie a Dio per uno dei suoi figli, riconosciuto come un autentico servitore
di Dio. Dinanzi a questa nobile figura ricordiamo che è la carità che fa
l'unità: la genera e la rende desiderabile. Seguendo san Paolo, san
Damiaan ci porta a scegliere le buone battaglie (cfr. 1 Tm 1,
18), non quelle che portano alla divisione, ma quelle che riuniscono. Ci invita
ad aprire gli occhi sulle lebbre che sfigurano l'umanità dei nostri fratelli e
chiedono, ancora oggi, più che la nostra generosità, la carità della nostra
presenza di servitori.]
A la figura del joven que
presenta a Jesús sus deseos de ser algo más que un buen cumplidor de los deberes
que impone la ley, volviendo al Evangelio de hoy, hace de contraluz el Hermano
Rafael, hoy canonizado, fallecido a los veintisiete años como Oblato en la
Trapa de San Isidro de Dueñas. También él era de familia acomodada y, como él
mismo dice, de “alma un poco soñadora”, pero cuyos sueños no se desvanecen ante
el apego a los bienes materiales y a otras metas que la vida del mundo propone
a veces con gran insistencia. Él dijo sí a la propuesta de seguir a Jesús, de
manera inmediata y decidida, sin límites ni condiciones. De este modo, inició
un camino que, desde aquel momento en que se dio cuenta en el Monasterio de que
“no sabía rezar”, le llevó en pocos años a las cumbres de la vida espiritual,
que él relata con gran llaneza y naturalidad en numerosos escritos. El Hermano
Rafael, aún cercano a nosotros, nos sigue ofreciendo con su ejemplo y sus obras
un recorrido atractivo, especialmente para los jóvenes que no se conforman con
poco, sino que aspiran a la plena verdad, a la más indecible alegría, que se
alcanzan por el amor de Dios. “Vida de amor... He aquí la única razón de
vivir”, dice el nuevo Santo. E insiste: “Del amor de Dios sale todo”. Que el
Señor escuche benigno una de las últimas plegarias de San
Rafael Arnáiz, cuando le entregaba toda su vida, suplicando: “Tómame a mí y
date Tú al mundo”. Que se dé para reanimar la vida interior de los cristianos
de hoy. Que se dé para que sus Hermanos de la Trapa y los centros monásticos
sigan siendo ese faro que hace descubrir el íntimo anhelo de Dios que Él ha
puesto en cada corazón humano.
[Alla figura del giovane
che esprime a Gesù il suo desiderio di fare qualcosa di più di adempiere
semplicemente ai doveri che la legge impone, tornando al Vangelo di oggi, fa dà
contrappunto fratel
Rafael, oggi canonizzato, morto a ventisette anni come oblato nella trappa
di San Isidro de Deuñas. Anche lui apparteneva a una famiglia agiata e, come
egli stesso dice, era di "animo un po' sognatore", ma i suoi sogni
non svaniscono dinanzi all'attaccamento ai beni materiali e ad altre mete che
la vita del mondo a volte propone con grande insistenza. Disse sì alla proposta
di seguire Gesù, in maniera immediata e decisa, senza limiti né condizioni. In
tal modo, iniziò un cammino che, dal momento in cui nel monastero si rese conto
che "non sapeva pregare", lo condusse in pochi anni sulla vetta della
vita spirituale, che descrive con grande semplicità e naturalezza in numerosi
scritti. Fratel Rafael, ancora vicino a noi, continua a offrirci con il suo
esempio e con le sue opere un percorso attraente, soprattutto per i giovani che
non si accontentano di poco, ma aspirano alla piena verità, alla più indicibile
gioia, che si raggiungono solo attraverso l'amore di Dio. "Vita di
amore... Ecco l'unica ragione per vivere", dice il nuovo santo. E insiste:
"Dall'amore di Dio viene tutto". Che il Signore ascolti benigno una
delle ultime preghiere di san
Rafael Arnáiz, quando, nel donargli tutta la sua vita, lo supplicava:
"Prendi me e donati Tu al mondo". Che si doni per ravvivare la vita
interiore dei cristiani di oggi! Che si doni affinché i suoi fratelli della
trappa e i centri monastici continuino a essere quel faro che fa scoprire
l'intimo anelito di Dio che Egli ha posto in ogni cuore umano].
Par son œuvre admirable
au service des personnes âgées les plus démunies, Sainte
Marie de la Croix est aussi comme un phare pour guider nos sociétés
qui ont toujours à redécouvrir la place et l’apport unique de cette période de
la vie. Née en 1792 à Cancale, en Bretagne, Jeanne
Jugan a eu le souci de la dignité de ses frères et de ses sœurs en
humanité, que l’âge a rendus vulnérables, reconnaissant en eux la personne même
du Christ. « Regardez le pauvre avec compassion, disait-elle, et Jésus
vous regardera avec bonté, à votre dernier jour ». Ce regard de compassion
sur les personnes âgées, puisé dans sa profonde communion avec Dieu, Jeanne
Jugan l’a porté à travers son service joyeux et désintéressé, exercé
avec douceur et humilité du cœur, se voulant elle-même pauvre parmi les
pauvres. Jeanne a vécu le mystère d’amour en acceptant, en paix, l’obscurité et
le dépouillement jusqu’à sa mort. Son charisme est toujours d’actualité, alors
que tant de personnes âgées souffrent de multiples pauvretés et de solitude,
étant parfois même abandonnées de leurs familles. L’esprit d’hospitalité et
d’amour fraternel, fondé sur une confiance illimitée dans la Providence,
dont Jeanne
Jugan trouvait la source dans les Béatitudes, a illuminé toute son
existence. Cet élan évangélique se poursuit aujourd’hui à travers le monde dans
la Congrégation des Petites Sœurs des Pauvres, qu’elle a fondée et qui témoigne
à sa suite de la miséricorde de Dieu et de l’amour compatissant du Cœur de
Jésus pour les plus petits. Que sainte Jeanne Jugan soit pour les personnes
âgées une source vive d’espérance et pour les personnes qui se mettent
généreusement à leur service un puissant stimulant afin de poursuivre et de
développer son œuvre !
[Con la sua ammirevole
opera al servizio delle persone anziane e più bisognose, Santa
Marie de la Croix è a sua volta un faro che guida le nostre società,
che devono sempre riscoprire il posto e il contributo unico di questo periodo
della vita. Nata nel 1792 a Cancale, in Bretagna, Jeanne
Jugan si preoccupò della dignità dei suoi fratelli e delle sue sorelle
in umanità che l'età rendeva vulnerabili, riconoscendo in essi la persona
stessa di Cristo. "Guardate il povero con compassione", diceva,
"e Gesù vi guarderà con bontà, nel vostro ultimo giorno". Questo
sguardo compassionevole verso le persone anziane, che veniva dalla sua profonda
comunione con Dio, Jeanne
Jugan l'ha mostrato nel suo servizio gioioso e disinteressato,
esercitato con dolcezza e umiltà di cuore, volendo essere essa stessa povera fa
i poveri. Jeanne ha vissuto il mistero di amore accettando, in pace, l'oscurità
e la spoliazione fino alla sua morte. Il suo carisma è sempre attuale, poiché
tante persone anziane soffrono di molteplici povertà e di solitudine, venendo a
volte persino abbandonate dalle loro famiglie. Lo spirito di ospitalità e di
amore fraterno, fondato su una fiducia illimitata nella Provvidenza, la cui
sorgente Jeanne
Jugan trovava nelle Beatitudini, ha illuminato tutta la sua esistenza.
Questo slancio evangelico continua oggi in tutto il mondo nella Congregazione
delle Piccole Sorelle dei Poveri, che fondò e che, sul suo esempio, rende
testimonianza della misericordia di Dio e dell'amore compassionevole del Cuore
di Gesù per i più piccoli. Che Santa Jeanne Jugan sia per le persone anziane
una fonte viva di speranza e per le persone che si mettono generosamente al
loro servizio un potente stimolo al fine di proseguire e di sviluppare la sua
opera!].
Cari fratelli e sorelle,
rendiamo grazie al Signore per il dono della santità, che quest'oggi rifulge
nella Chiesa con singolare bellezza. Mentre con affetto saluto ciascuno di voi
- Cardinali, Vescovi, Autorità civili e militari, sacerdoti, religiosi e religiose,
fedeli laici di varie nazionalità che prendete parte a questa solenne
celebrazione eucaristica, - vorrei rivolgere a tutti l'invito a lasciarsi
attrarre dagli esempi luminosi di questi Santi, a lasciarsi guidare dai loro
insegnamenti perché tutta la nostra esistenza diventi un cantico di lode
all'amore di Dio. Ci ottenga questa grazia la loro celeste intercessione e
soprattutto la materna protezione di Maria, Regina dei Santi e Madre
dell'umanità. Amen.
© Copyright 2009 -
Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Copyright © Dicastero per
la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Josef Daamian de Veuster
(1840-1889)
Beatificazione:
- 04 giugno 1995
- Papa Giovanni
Paolo II
Canonizzazione:
- 11 ottobre 2009
- Papa Benedetto
XVI
- Piazza San Pietro
Ricorrenza:
- 15 aprile
Sacerdote professo della Congregazione dei Sacri Cuori di Gesù e di Maria e dell’Adorazione perpetua del Santissimo Sacramento dell’Altare (Picpus), attese con tale dedizione all’assistenza dei lebbrosi, da morire colpito anch’egli dalla lebbra
"Sono felice e contento. E, se mi dessero l’opportunità di guarire
andandomene da qui, risponderei senza esitazione: Resto con i miei lebbrosi
tutta la mia vita!”
Josef Daamian de
Veuster — il futuro Padre Damiano ss.cc. — nasce a Tremelo, in Belgio, il
3 gennaio 1840, da una famiglia numerosa di agricoltori-commercianti.
Suo fratello maggiore
entra nella Congregazione dei Sacri Cuori di Gesù e di Maria e, proprio quando
suo padre pensa a Giuseppe per affidargli l’impresa di famiglia, decide anche
lui, senza indugio, di diventare un religioso e, all’inizio del 1859, comincia
il suo noviziato a Louvain, nello stesso convento dove sta anche suo fratello;
là prende il nome di Damiano.
Nel 1863 suo fratello, in
procinto di partire per le isole Hawaii, si ammala. Essendo già stato preparato
il viaggio, Damiano ottiene dal Superiore Generale il permesso di partire al
posto di suo fratello. Il 19 marzo 1864 sbarca a Honolulu, il 21 maggio 1864 è
ordinato sacerdote e si getta immediatamente anima e corpo nella dura vita di
missionario in due villaggi delle Hawaii, la maggiore delle isole
dell’arcipelago.
In quegli anni il
governatore delle Hawai, per arginare la propagazione della lebbra, decide di
deportare nella vicina isola di Molokai tutti quelli che sono colpiti dalla
malattia per quei tempi ancora incurabile. La sorte dei malati preoccupa tutta
la missione cattolica, in particolare il vescovo, Monsignor Louis Maigret, ss.cc.,
che ne parla con i suoi sacerdoti. Il vescovo, però, nonostante il voto di
obbedienza fatto dai suoi sacerdoti, non se la sente di inviare nessuno a
Molokai, perché sa che un simile ordine significherebbe morte certa per chi va
in quel luogo. Tuttavia quattro confratelli si offrono volontari per andare a
turno a visitare ed assistere i lebbrosi soli con la loro disperazione. Damiano
è il primo a partire e il 10 maggio 1873 arriva a Molokai. Su sua richiesta e
su quella degli stessi lebbrosi, ottiene di rimanere definitivamente
sull’isola. Contagiato anche lui dalla lebbra, muore il 15 aprile del 1889. I
suoi resti saranno rimpatriati nel 1936 e depositati nella cripta della
chiesa della Congregazione dei Sacri Cuori a Louvain.
SOURCE : https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/josef-daamian-de-veuster.html
The
twenty-three year old Damien striking the pose of his hero Saint Francis
Xavier, just before he left Europe in October 24, 1863. Sacred Hearts Archives,
Louvain. Gavan Daws (1984) Holy Man: Father Damien
of Molokai, University of Hawaii Press, p. Page
114
Santi da scoprire
Padre Damiano di Veuster
Di Patrizia Solari
Il prossimo periodo liturgico ci porterà alla festa del Corpus Domini. Perciò,
in questo numero della rivista, proponiamo la figura di padre Damiano de
Veuster, belga, vissuto tra il 1840 e il 1889 e beatificato da Papa Giovanni
Paolo II nel giugno dello scorso anno.
Il collegamento è subito spiegato: la festa più importante nell'isola di
Molokai, trasformata in lebbrosario, era il Corpus Domini, e padre Damiano,
inviato su quest'isola e dopo qualche tempo ammalatosi di lebbra, "quando
usava l'espressione 'mes membres malades' (le mie membra malate), sembrava
parlare contemporaneamente sia dei suoi arti sofferenti, sia dei malati di
quella sua comunità che cristianamente considerava 'come Corpo di Cristo, e suo
corpo'". 1)
La lebbra e l'esclusione
Nell'arcipelago delle Hawaii la lebbra cominciò a diffondersi in maniera rapida e terrificante dal 1850. Di questa malattia il cui bacillo fu identificato nel 1873, non si conoscevano le vie di trasmissione. Inoltre non c'era ancora la possibilità di predisporre un vaccino efficace: la lebbra era un male terribile, che non si poteva curare. Il principio per arginare l'epidemia era dunque la segregazione dei malati, anche riprendendo alla lettera gli insegnamenti dell'Antico Testamento: la lebbra era una maledizione divina e come tale andava trattata.
"In base a tali persuasioni era stato dunque realizzato l'insediamento di Kalawao, nell'isola di Molokai: un promontorio basso, roccioso e spoglio, tra la scogliera e il mare, scelto proprio perché inaccessibile. A partire dal 1866, ogni mese, da Honolulu, la capitale, partiva una nave carica di lebbrosi, requisiti a forza."
Se per i bianchi il problema 'lebbra' automaticamente voleva dire 'assenza di ogni contatto', anche se si trattava dei propri congiunti, per gli hawaiani invece il contatto umano, anche fisico, restava un valore irrinunciabile, più importante di ogni pericolo.
I malati sospetti venivano requisiti per una diagnosi. "Ma tutto avveniva
tra la ribellione dei parenti: i malati venivano occultati; i nuclei familiari
si trasferivano per questo anche nei villaggi più sperduti, (...) alla polizia
ci si opponeva anche con le armi. E non era infrequente il caso di amici e
parenti che si fingevano malati per accompagnare i loro cari".
La missione e l'inferno
di Molokai
Nel 1863 il vicario apostolico delle isole Hawaii, mons. Maigret, chiese alla congregazione dei Sacri Cuori a Lovanio, che aveva iniziato l'evangelizzazione dell'arcipelago, l'invio di altri missionari.
Damiano (al secolo Giuseppe), un ragazzotto robusto, figlio di contadini, dal temperamento forte e vivace, a 18 anni voleva diventare monaco trappista, ma era entrato nella congregazione dei Sacri Cuori, dietro insistenza di suo fratello Panfilo, che già ne faceva parte. Altre due sorelle erano Orsoline.
Mentre il fratello, tra i prescelti per andare in missione, si preparava per partire, a Lovanio scoppiò un 'epidemia di tifo. Panfilo, prodigandosi nell'assistenza, ne rimase contagiato e così Damiano chiese ai suoi superiori di partire al suo posto.
Il 19 marzo 1864, non ancora sacerdote, dopo oltre quattro mesi di navigazione, sbarcava sulle isole dove sarebbe rimasto per sempre.
Dopo due mesi fu ordinato sacerdote e svolse la sua attività missionaria in
diverse regioni per quasi dieci anni. Poi, nel 1873, in un incontro dei
missionari con mons. Maigret, diventato Vescovo, si parlò dell'isola di Molokai
e dello stato di abbandono dei lebbrosi. Padre Damiano si offrì allora di
andarci e il 10 maggio era nel villaggio di Kalawao.
"Nessun bianco vi aveva mai soggiornato. Era passato in fretta qualche
medico (che visitava i malati sollevando le vesti con la punta del suo bastone
e lasciava le medicine fuori dalla porta dell'ambulatorio) e qualche Pastore
protestante che predicava da lontano, sulla veranda. Ma non volevano essere
toccati e gli hawaiani non se ne curavano. (...) Non potevano essere veramente
interessati a loro quei bianchi che fuggivano via pieni di orrore al solo
vederli! Ma tra i lebbrosi stessi l'interesse e la solidarietà erano ferocemente
limitati ai propri congiunti; tutto il resto era nemico.
Così la colonia dei lebbrosi era un inferno, non solo per quello che accadeva ai corpi, soggetti a un orribile disfacimento, ma ancor più per quello che accadeva alle loro anime e alla loro tragica società."
Rovina fisica e psicologica, dunque: "(...) un'incredibile sporcizia
(mancava perfino l'acqua!), una violenza pronta ad esplodere ad ogni
provocazione, l'esasperazione degli istinti più bassi, l'abolizione di ogni
limite sessuale, la schiavizzazione dei bambini e delle donne, alcolismo e
droghe, il latrocinio generalizzato, il risorgere di pratiche idolatriche e
superstiziose. Il tutto peggiorato da un disinteresse generalizzato. (...)
All'inizio nulla era stato predisposto per loro: né abitazioni, né ospedali, né
dispensari, né uffici amministrativi, né chiese, né cimiteri." La colonia
si reggeva sulla massima suprema, che gli anziani si affrettavano ad inculcare
nei nuovi arrivati: "A'ole kanawai ma keia wahi: qui non c'è nessuna legge".
La condivisione: il corpo
di Cristo
Padre Damiano giunse sull'isola "con il breviario e un piccolo crocifisso. Le prime settimane visse all'aperto, dormendo sotto un albero e mangiando su una roccia piatta. E scelse subito di immergersi volontariamente in quel mondo in putrefazione. Ciò che più lo sconvolgeva era il fetore persistente che, quando i malati gli si stringevano attorno, lo prendeva alla gola (...). Per aiutarsi, cominciò a fumare la pipa, che gli divenne abituale. (...) Capì subito, quasi per istinto di carità, che i malati non lo avrebbero mai accettato, se egli avesse cominciato a preservarsi, a usare precauzioni, a evitare i contatti, a mostrare ripugnanza. (...) Di poter essere contagiato non si preoccupava. Diceva 'd'aver affidato la questione a Nostro Signore, alla Vergine e a san Giuseppe'. I superiori gli scrivevano sempre di badare al contagio, ma egli sapeva che era assolutamente inutile essersi recato a Molokai se restava un 'haole', 'un bianco': di quelli che per definizione 'rifiutavano di toccare'. Era difficile per un prete 'rifiutarsi di toccare', quando bisognava deporre l'ostia consacrata su lingue rose dal male, o ungere con l'olio santo mani e piedi cancrenosi, o bendare con tenerezza quelle orribili piaghe; o anche solo prendere in mano la corda della campana su cui s'erano arrampicati per gioco i bambini!
(...) Ma egli non agiva così solo per rispettare la sensibilità degli hawaiani,
e quella ancora più acuta dei malati. Egli voleva rispettare, per così dire,
'la sensibilità della Chiesa'. Essa è, per definizione, 'corpo di Cristo';
tutti i suoi sacramenti e le sue opere sono segni di un 'contatto fisico',
salvifico, tra l'Umanità di Cristo e la nostra sofferente umanità. Se quel
desiderato 'contatto' era per gli hawaiani una questione culturale, per padre
Damiano era anche una questione di fede. Perciò a tavola mangiava il 'poi'
(carne mescolata con farina di taro) intingendo le mani, assieme ai lebbrosi,
nel piatto comune; beveva nelle tazze che gli offrivano; passava la sua pipa se
gliela chiedevano; giocava coi bambini che si gettavano a grappoli addosso a
quel gigante buono."
Imparare a morire bene,
perchè la vita acquisti dignità
Il senso della missione di padre Damiano era la preparazione alla morte. "Non c'era altro da fare. Impossibili e inutili le cure, certa la morte. (...) Quell'iter pedagogico che altrove -in ogni altra comunità cristiana- era così ovvio ('insegnare a ben vivere per insegnare a ben morire'), a Molokai non era più possibile. Bisognava capovolgere l'itinerario: insegnare a morire bene, perché potessero acquistare senso e dignità (e perfino 'gioia'), quella parvenza di vita che ancora restava, quei brandelli di esistenza che assomigliavano così tanto ai brandelli del loro stesso corpo. (...)
La morte era addirittura 'il prologo', da cui tutto il resto dipendeva. E padre
Damiano sapeva che quella morte lo riguardava. Egli non era e non voleva essere
uno spettatore. Cominciò dunque a 'celebrare la morte', nel senso di darle
dignità umana. Se si pensa che, al suo arrivo, i cadaveri venivano abbandonati
all'aperto e dati in pasto ai maiali, si può comprendere la dignità di chi si
mette a costruire un cimitero. (...) Oltre al cimitero, padre Damiano fondò la
Confraternita dei funerali, che si preoccupava di preparare le bare di legno e
di accompagnare, pregando, il defunto al cimitero, al suono della musica e dei
tamburi. E le vesti dei membri della confraternita erano particolarmente
dignitose."
E "dopo la liturgia della morte, veniva quella dei Sacramenti che
ancoravano alla vita." Primo fra tutti era il sacramento dell'Eucarestia:
la festa più grande nell'isola di Molokai era il Corpus Domini, celebrato con
solenni processioni.
"Padre Damiano aveva perfino introdotto la pratica dell'Adorazione
perpetua: i turni e gli orari, di giorno e di notte, non era facile osservarli;
ma quando un 'adoratore' non poteva occupare il suo posto in chiesa, si
inginocchiava a pregare sul suo giaciglio."
Costruire: con le persone
e con i mattoni
"C'era poi la Confraternita della sant'Infanzia, per i bambini abbandonati; quella di san Giuseppe, per le visite dei malati a domicilio; quella della Madonna, per l'educazione delle ragazze. Questi nomi così 'spirituali' non devono farci dimenticare che si trattava di un'organizzazione sociale, tanto più forte, quanto più ancorata nella fede.
La particolare cura dei morti e i funerali fu anche un realistico intervento
igienico e pedagogico: il più realistico in quelle condizioni; le varie
'confraternite' furono anche delle strutture di convivenza civile e di
assistenza sociale che nessun altro aveva saputo neanche immaginare.
Il tempo che gli restava dopo le visite ai malati e la cura spirituale era
impiegato nella costruzione di opere necessarie alla vita dell'isola: un
porticciolo, una strada di collegamento con il villaggio, due acquedotti,
serbatoi d'acqua, una serie di magazzini, uno spaccio, un edificio di raccolta
per i nuovi arrivati, due dispensari, un centro di formazione per ragazze, un
ospedale...
Gli aiuti, le lodi, le
ostilità: oro, incenso e mirra
Per le sue opere, gli
aiuti economici a padre Damiano non erano mai mancati. Era stato evidentemente
aiutato dalla fama internazionale che lo aveva accompagnato fin dagli inizi,
anche grazie alle notizie diffuse dai giornali. Appena tre giorni dopo il suo
arrivo sull'isola, il giornale delle Hawaii, l'Advertiser, lo definiva 'un eroe
cristiano' e alla sua morte il Times scrisse: "Questo prete cattolico è
divenuto per tutta l'umanità un amico". La Commissione Ministeriale
d'Igiene dapprima lo avversò, ma poi finì per offrirgli la carica di
Sovrintendente di Molokai, con una paga annua di diecimila dollari. E padre
Damiano disse che lì non ci sarebbe stato cinque minuti con una paga di
centomila dollari: ma ci stava per amor di Dio.
Ma "i superiori non stimavano padre Damiano e non erano contenti di lui.
S'erano già infastiditi all'inizio, per il troppo clamore suscitato attorno
alla sua impresa. Avevano continuato a guardarlo con sospetto. Si diceva che
gli passasse per mano un fiume di denaro, che fosse troppo indipendente nelle
sue decisioni, che nella soluzione dei problemi pastorali non guardasse troppo
per il sottile, che aspirasse a diventare una specie di vescovo indipendente di
quella colonia di lebbrosi. In più, alcune proteste pubbliche che padre Damiano
aveva rivolte al Ministero della sanità circa il trattamento riservato ai
lebbrosi, avevano messo l'intera missione in difficoltà con il Governo.
Il Provinciale -noto per la sua durezza verso gli altri e per l'estrema
condiscendenza verso se stesso- fece pressione sul vescovo e questi scrisse a
padre Damiano di smetterla di 'fare tanta poesia sui lebbrosi... Il mondo ha
l'impressione che voi siate alla testa dei vostri lebbrosi e fungiate da
procuratore di beni, medico, infermiere, becchino e così via, come se il
governo non esistesse...'. Padre Damiano gli rispose: 'Dagli stranieri oro e
incenso, dai superiori la mirra'."
Bisogna poi aggiungere l'ostilità che regnava tra i protestanti, i quali non
perdevano occasione per attaccare le opere di padre Damiano, come quando fu
costruito il cimitero e il giornale dei protestanti Hawaiani scrisse che il
recinto del 'predicatore papista' non era che una trappola per catturare la
selvaggina che sbagliava strada...
Pochi mesi prima che morisse, tentarono anche di infangare la sua immagine e la
sua missione, approfittando di quella teoria che attribuiva il contagio alla
promiscuità sessuale.
Ma la testimonianza di padre Damiano riuscì a modificare anche questi
atteggiamenti. Durante il Corpus Domini, che, come già detto, era la festa più
importante sull'isola, perfino i protestanti, allora abituati ad osteggiare e a
disprezzare le processioni come idolatria, si commuovevano, colpiti
dall'imponenza della solenne processione che attraversava le vie del
lebbrosario. "A Molokai anch'essi si scoprivano il capo e nel 1874 -dopo
una processione- una ventina di essi chiesero il battesimo."
Lebbroso tra i lebbrosi
Il Provinciale scrisse a
Roma "che padre Damiano s'era montato la testa, si era 'intossicato di lodi'
e stava diventando 'pericoloso'. Padre Damiano invece, da qualche anno, era
diventato soltanto 'lebbroso'.
Se ne era accorto per caso una sera che, tornando stanco dal suo solito giro
apostolico, soprappensiero, aveva immerso i piedi in una bacinella d'acqua
calda. Aveva visto immediatamente arrossarsi la pelle e formarsi delle
vesciche. Stupito aveva toccato l'acqua con la mano: era bollente e non se
n'era accorto! Aveva perso la sensibilità agli arti inferiori e seppe così
inequivocabilmente d'aver contratto la lebbra. (...) Scrisse umilmente ai suoi
superiori: '...Sono diventato lebbroso. Penso che non tarderò ad essere
sfigurato. Non avendo alcun dubbio sul vero carattere della mia malattia, io
resto calmo, rassegnato e felicissimo in mezzo al mio popolo. Il Buon Dio sa
bene ciò che vi è di meglio per la mia santificazione, e ogni volta ripeto con
tutto il cuore: Sia fatta la tua volontà!' (...) I rapporti con i superiori non
migliorarono per questo: la notizia che l'eroe di Molokai era divenuto lebbroso
fece il giro del mondo e suscitò una nuova ondata di solidarietà. (...) In più
il Provinciale era preoccupato delle conseguenze che quella malattia poteva
avere per la missione, e gli consigliò di non metter più piede fuori
dall'isola."
"In un quaderno personale che aveva preso a scrivere in quel tempo si
leggono questi consigli che egli dava a se stesso:
'Prega di ottenere lo spirito di umiltà, in modo da desiderare il disprezzo. Se
vieni schernito, devi gioirne. Non lasciamoci incantare dalle lodi degli
uomini, non siamo soddisfatti di noi stessi, siamo grati a chi ci causa dolore
o ci tratta con disprezzo e preghiamo Dio per loro. Per fare questo c'è
bisogno, oltre che della grazia, di una grande abnegazione e di una costante
mortificazione, grazie alla quale veniamo trasformati in Cristo
Crocifisso.'"
"Quando, al termine della Quaresima del 1889, padre Damiano s'accorse che
le piaghe si chiudevano e la crosta si anneriva, capì che stava per morire. Ne
aveva assistiti tanti che aveva imparato a riconoscere bene quei segni
infallibili di una fine prossima. Era contento di andare a celebrare la Pasqua
in cielo. Quando morì, il lunedì santo, aveva quarantanove anni e ne aveva
passati sedici tra i suoi lebbrosi."
Segno di contraddizione
Ancora una volta esplose il rancore di un certo mondo protestante e sulla stampa internazionale finì una lettera di un pastore americano, Charles Hyde, che definiva padre Damiano 'uomo rozzo, sporco, testardo, intollerante...'
In difesa di padre Damiano pubblicò un'appassionata 'lettera aperta' lo
scrittore Robert Louis Stevenson, autore del romanzo L'isola del tesoro e
divenuto famoso per il racconto intitolato Il Dottor Jekill e Mister Hyde.
"Quando Stevenson -che lottava disperatamente contro la tubercolosi- lesse
l'articolo in cui un Hyde in carne ed ossa pretendeva tramutare in mostro
l'eroico e santo padre Damiano, gli sembrò di trovarsi davanti ai suoi
personaggi divenuti reali."
"Strano destino quello di padre Damiano, costretto a finire spessissimo
sulle pagine dei giornali, sulla corrispondenza ufficiale della sua
Congregazione religiosa, e perfino in mano ad artisti, letterati, pittori e
fotografi (nel Natale del 1887, Edward Clifford pittore e scrittore, venne per
conoscerlo e per fargli un ritratto, ormai già sfigurato dalla lebbra, e le
fotografie scattategli sul letto di morte furono diffuse a migliaia di copie):
proprio lui che viveva nel luogo più sperduto dell'universo.
E stranamente si trovava a dover restare sempre sulla pubblica scena, ciò che
costringeva gli spettatori a schierarsi!
Così padre Damiano ricevette -quasi in parti uguali- fama e disprezzo, stima e rifiuto, venerazione e sospetto, amore e rancore, per tutti gli anni di quella sua straordinaria avventura.
Il tutto si rischiara e diventa comprensibile solo se intravediamo il segreto
disegno del Padre celeste che aveva scelto quel suo figlio generoso e impetuoso
perché diventasse un segno di contraddizione."
1) Ttutte le citazioni
sono tratte da A.Sicari "Il quarto libro dei ritratti di Santi" - Ed.
Jaca Book, Milano 1994 (pagg. 101-122)
SOURCE : https://www.caritas-ticino.ch/riviste/elenco%20riviste/riv_9603/art_021.htm
Den hellige Damian de
Veuster (1840-1889)
Minnedag:
10. mai
Også kjent som Pater
Damian og St. Damian av Molokai. Skytshelgen for staten Hawaii og bispedømmet
Honolulu; for spedalske; uoffisiell skytshelgen for hiv/aidssyke.
Den hellige Damian (fr:
Damien; nl: Damiaan; lat: Damianus) ble født som Josef de Veuster (nl: Jozef;
fr: Joseph) den 3. januar 1840 i den lille landsbyen Tremelo (da Tremeloo) nær
Leuven/Louvain (Löwen) i provinsen Vlaams-Brabant i regionen Flandern i kongeriket
Belgia, som var opprettet ti år tidligere. Han var den yngste av de syv barna
av den flamske bonden og kornhandleren Frans de Veuster og hans hustru Katarina
Wouters (Cato). Det var en ganske velstående familie, som også var from, og to
av Josefs søstre ble nonner og en bror ble prest.
Jef, som familien kalte
ham, gikk på en flamsk grunnskole i Wechter til han var tretten år gammel.
Deretter arbeidet han i fire år på familiens gård før faren bestemte at han
skulle gå inn i familiens kornhandlerforretning. Foreldrene innså at han da
måtte ha mer utdannelse og måtte kunne snakke fransk, så han ble sendt for å
studere handelsfag ved kollegiet i Braine-le-Comte i provinsen
Hainaut/Henegouwen (ty: Hennegau; eng: tradisjonelt Hainault) i regionen
Vallonia.
Josefs eldste bror August
(fr: Auguste) trådte i 1857 inn i «Kongregasjonen av Jesu og Marias helligste
hjerter og den evige tilbedelse av det aller helligste altersakrament» (Congregatio
Sacrorum Cordium Iesu et Mariae necnon adorationis perpetuae Sanctissimi
Sacramenti Altaris – SS.CC.), som er kjent som Picpus-patre etter sitt
hovedkvarter i Rue Picpus i Paris, og i Tyskland som «Arnsteiner Patres» etter
sin første kommunitet i Kloster Arnstein an der Lahn. August de Veuster fikk
ordensnavnet Pamfilius (fr: Pamphile).
Josef bestemte seg også
for å bli ordensprest etter at han som attenåring hadde deltatt i en
folkemisjon som ble holdt av redemptoristene. Foreldrene var motstandere av
denne avgjørelsen, men Josef var sikker på at det var hans kall, noe han
fortalte dem i et respektfullt, men bestemt brev. Helt fra han var ung var
Josef fast bestemt på å følge Guds vilje. Først tenkte han på å bli trappist,
men hans bror overtalte ham i stedet til å følge i hans egne fotspor.
I begynnelsen av 1859
besøkte Josef og faren Pamfilius i klosteret i Leuven/Louvain (Löwen), og Josef
bestemte seg da for å følge brorens eksempel. Han spurte husets superior, og da
han sa ja, spurte han også sin far. Han hadde heller ingen innvendinger lenger,
og Josef fikk lov til å tre inn straks for å spare moren for smerten ved å ta
farvel. Deretter påbegynte han novisiatet i samme ordenshus som hans bror var
i. Der tok han ordensnavnet Damian, trolig etter halvparten av det berømte
helgenbrødreparet Kosmas og Damian (d.
ca 303).
Ettersom han syntes å
mangle tilstrekkelig utdannelse til å bli prest, ville hans superiorer først
bare tillate ham å bli legbror, selv om de ikke betraktet ham som uintelligent.
Men han kunne ikke noe latin, og han snakket dårlig fransk. Damian var dypt
skuffet over deres avgjørelse. Men hans bror begynte å lære ham latin, gresk og
filosofi, og noen få måneder senere fikk Damian oppfylt sitt ønske og fikk
slutte seg til dem som studerte for å bli prester. I stedet for å skjære inn
navnet sitt i pulten, som var vanlig blant studentene, skar Damian inn tre ord:
«Stillhet. Konsentrasjon. Bønn.»
Damian avla sine løfter i
Paris den 7. oktober 1860 og begynte også sine filosofiske studier der. I 1862
flyttet han tilbake til Leuven for å begynne på teologistudiene. Lærerne
bemerket at han syntes å kunne bli en god lærer. Under studiene ba han hver dag
foran et bilde av den hellige Frans Xavier (1506-52),
misjonærenes skytshelgen, om å bli sendt ut som misjonær.
I 1863 ble hans bror p.
Pamfilius presteviet og skulle sendes til kongregasjonens misjon på
Sandwich-øyene, som hadde fått sitt navn av sin oppdager James Cook (1728-79) i
1778 til ære for en av sine velgjørere, John Montagu, fjerde jarl av Sandwich,
sjef for den engelske flåten. Øyene er et separat arkipelag under et lokalt
monarki, som i 1894 fikk navnet Hawaii og i 1898 ble annektert av USA (delstat
fra 1959). P. Pamfilius ble imidlertid syk av tyfus like før han skulle dra, og
det så ut til at prosjektet måtte avblåses. Men ettersom reiseforberedelsene
var så godt som klare og billetten betalt, ba Damian ordensgeneralen om å få
reise i brorens sted. Det ble innvilget, til hans stedlige overordnedes
forbauselse, og i november 1863 forlot Damian hjemlandet for å seile fra
Bremerhaven.
Etter 4 ½ måned ankom de
Honolulu den 19. mars 1864. Damian fullførte sine studier på kollegiet i
Ahumanu på øya Oahu, og han ble presteviet den 21. mai samme år i katedralen
Our Lady of Peace i Ahumanu av den apostoliske vikaren, biskop Maigret.
Katedralen var en kirke som var bygd av hans orden. Han ble i 1865 sendt som
misjonær til misjonen i nordre Kohala på øygruppas største øy, Hawaii. I ni år arbeidet
han med evangeliseringen av folket ved de to misjonsstasjonene i Puna og
Kohala. I Puna måtte han begynne fra bunnen, fordi det ikke engang fantes et
beskjedent kapell der, de få katolikkene levde spredt i ulike landsbyer, sterkt
truet av fanatiske kalvinister.
Etter åtte måneder i Puna
så p. Damian at en av hans medbrødre hadde det enda verre i Kohala og i tillegg
ikke var frisk, så da ba han om å bli overflyttet til Kohala. I de åtte årene
han var der, bygde han fire nye kirker ved siden av sin sjelsørgeriske
aktivitet, og han var selv byggmester og tømrer. Hans distrikt var så stort at
det tok seks uker å dekke det ved hjelp av kano og hesteryggen. Han lærte det
lokale språket samt spansk og portugisisk.
Mens p. Damian ennå
arbeidet i flere sogn på øya Oahu, gikk det i 1865 en epidemi av lepra
(spedalskhet, også kalt «Hansens sykdom» i de fleste andre land enn Armauer
Hansens hjemland Norge) over Hawaii etter at sykdommen var kommet til øyene
femti år tidligere, trolig med kinesiske innvandrere. Andre sykdommer kom med
handelsmenn og sjøfolk, og de innfødte på Hawaii ble hardt rammet, ettersom de
hadde liten eller ingen immunitet mot eksotiske utenlandske virus. Sykdommene
spredte seg raskt blant lokalbefolkningen, og tusenvis døde av sykdommer som
influensa og syfilis.
Men den mest fryktede
sykdommen var lepra, og ved epidemien i 1865 fikk regjeringen panikk og var
desperate etter å stanse pesten med alle mulige midler. Politiet arresterte og
brakte alle som var mistenkte for å være smittet, til Kalihi-hospitalet i
Honolulu. Hawaiis konge Kamehameha V (1863-72) bestemte seg for å prøve å
stoppe spredningen av spedalskhet med en svært håndfast metode: Alle som man
mente led av denne sykdommen, som man betraktet som uhelbredelig, ble deportert
til øya Molokai og isolert på halvøya Kalaupapa nord på øya. Kalaupapa er et
geografisk fengsel, skilt fra resten av øya av bratte klipper som er over 400
meter høye, og fra resten av verden av det enorme Stillehavet. Selv i dag kan
stedet bare nås via en muldyrsti.
I januar 1865 ble den
første gruppen pasienter fraktet til Kalaupapa på Molokai. Det kongelige
helsestyret sørget for at de forviste fikk utstyr og mat, men de hadde ennå
ikke ressurser til å tilby et skikkelig helsetilbud. De hadde planlagt at
innbyggerne skulle dyrke sin egen mat, men på grunn av naturforholdene og deres
sykdom var det nærmest umulig. Innen 1868 hersket drukkenskap og uanstendighet
i kolonien.
Hele den katolske
misjonen var bekymret for disse spedalske som ble overlatt til seg selv på
Molokai. Biskop Louis Maigret SS.CC. tok i 1873 opp disse problemene med
presteskapet. Han ønsket ikke å sende noen dit «under lydighet», fordi han
visste at en slik ordre innebar den sikre død. Han tenkte seg et team av
misjonærer som vekslet på tjenesten, slik at ingen var der i mer enn tre uker
om gangen. Fire prester meldte seg frivillig til å besøke Molokai på omgang, og
pater Damian ble den første. Han ankom den 10. mai 1873 til den isolerte
bosetningen på Kalaupapa, hvor biskop Maigret presenterte ham for de 816
spedalske som bodde der som «en som vil være en far for dere, og som elsker
dere så høyt at han ikke nøler med å bli en av dere, å leve og dø med dere».
Det kom stadig nye
spedalske til Molokai fra de andre øyene på Hawaii. På den delen av øya hvor de
ble henvist til, var det bygd et sykehus for dem, og der fikk de fra tid til
annen besøk av en regjeringsoppnevnt lege. Men det var ingenting å fordrive tiden
med i kolonien, og for Damian så det ut til at de spedalske stort sett spilte
kort og drakk seg fulle på lokalt øl, noe som førte til at de fikk ry for å ha
en svært slett moral. Leveforholdene var forferdelige, og det var så mange
dødsfall at Damian kalte stedet «en levende kirkegård». I løpet av hans første
åtte måneder i kolonien var det 183 dødsfall, og han røykte pipe for å overdøve
lukten av råtnende kjøtt.
Etter eget ønske og på
oppfordring av de spedalske selv, slo p. Damian seg definitivt ned i Kalaupapa.
Det første han gjorde, var å bygge en kirke og å opprette sognet Saint
Philomena, oppkalt etter den hellige Filomena av Mugnano,
angivelig en tidlig romersk martyr, men mest trolig en fiktiv skikkelse. Han
besøkte regelmessig de syke i deres hytter og ga sakramentene til så mange som
mulig. Han var også opptatt av leveforholdene og hva som kunne gjøres for å
redusere sykdommens virkninger ved å innføre vanlige hygieniske regler. Mange
ser på p. Damians ankomst som vendepunktet for kolonien. Under hans ledelse ble
grunnleggende lover tvunget gjennom, skur ble forvandlet til malte hus og det
ble organisert bondegårder og bygd skoler.
P. Damian begrenset seg
ikke bare til tradisjonelt prestearbeid: Han forbandt sår, bygde hus, snekret
senger og likkister og gravde graver. Han vendte tilbake til Honolulu og tigget
om klær, og han samlet inn nok til 300 mennesker, og han fikk søstrene der til
å sende ham regelmessige pakker med varme klær. Da nyheten om hans arbeid
spredte seg, samlet folk inn penger for å hjelpe, for eksempel organiserte en
anglikansk prest tre innsamlinger gjennom avisen The Times og sendte
Damian i alt over 2.000 pund. Straks hans arbeid var kjent utenfor øyene (mye mot
hans vilje), vant det øyeblikkelig anerkjennelse over hele verden. Skrekken for
spedalskhet var så stor at alle som arbeidet blant de rammede, måtte være en
med heroiske dyder.
Damian holdt åpent hus
for de spedalske, delte sine måltider med dem og likte å leke med barna. Han
hjalp til med å reparere husene og ga til og med elementær medisinsk hjelp når
ingen lege var tilgjengelig, og etter åtte år hevdet han at han hadde blitt mer
effektiv enn noen av de ordentlige legene som besøkte øya. Hans konstante
tiggerbrev inkluderte appeller om medisiner og nye legemidler like mye som
penger. I et forsøk på å stanse misbruket av unge foreldreløse jenter etablerte
han et barnehjem. Han grunnla også et guttehjem i Kalawao, et fuktig og
forblåst område rundt tre kilometer fra det tørrere og mer solfylte Kalaupapa.
Han var også involvert i
planer om å forbedre havnen og veiene, kom med forslag til måter å forbedre
vanntilførselen, og han sørget for utvidelse av sykehuset slik at en ny japansk
behandling som inkluderte bad, kunne innføres. Listen over hans aktiviteter
synes endeløs og vitner om hans fullstendige hengivenhet til de åndelige
behovene hos sitt folk og hans praktiske tilnærming til deres materielle behov.
Han var villig til å hjelpe alle spedalske på disse måtene, inkludert dem som
avslo hans åndelige tjenester. Hans ideal var å skape et samfunn hvor han hadde
funnet «en menneskelig jungel».
Samtidig må det også
innrømmes at han ble diktatorisk og egensindig, og han var ikke alltid like
populær hos dem som forsøkte å hjelpe ham. Han mente at han selv visste hva som
var det beste for hans folk, men han hadde ikke alltid rett, for eksempel
kranglet han urettmessig med noen som hadde større medisinske kunnskaper enn
ham. Hans sans for hygiene, både privat og for de syke, var rudimentær, og noen
besøkende til øya fant ham grov og ubehøvlet. Noen beretninger gir det inntrykk
at han arbeidet alene på øya, men det er ikke riktig. Fra 1878 arbeidet p.
André Nolander, som hadde studert medisin, sammen med ham i to år, og han ble
erstattet av p. Albert Montiton, en erfaren misjonær fra Paris. Før Damian selv
ble smittet av lepra, dro han inn til Honolulu for åndelige retretter med sine
medmisjonærer. På 1880-tallet gjorde myndighetene dessuten på Hawaii mer for de
spedalske, møtte deres materielle behov og betalte to lærere for å arbeide der.
Pater Damian møtte også
motstand og vanskeligheter. Ikke alle forsto hans motiver, inkludert noen av
hans overordnede i ordenen, og han ble beskyldt for brudd på lydighetsløftet
ved å bli på Molokai og for å være for interessert i materielle ting fordi han
samlet inn store pengesummer for å hjelpe de spedalske. Men det verste av alt
var at han etter å ha blitt smittet av lepra, ble beskyldt for å bryte sitt
sølibatsløfte, fordi man den gangen trodde at spedalskhet vanligvis smittet ved
seksuell kontakt.
P. Damians dagbøker
antyder at han fikk de første varslene om sykdommen i desember 1884. En kveld
da han gjennomgikk sitt daglige rituale med å senke bena i kokende varmt vann,
kjente han ikke varmen i de hele tatt, og i januar 1885 var pater Damian sikker
på at han selv var smittet av lepra. Etter ordre fra sine overordnede gikk han
gjennom tre ydmykende medisinske undersøkelser for å slå fast hans kyskhet. Han
fikk også forbud mot å forlate øya og fikk derfor ikke skriftet i månedsvis av
gangen.
Den japanske leprologen
Masanao Goto kom til Honolulu i 1885 og behandlet p. Damian. Hans teori var at
spedalskhet ble forårsaket av en reduksjon av blodmengden, og hans behandling
besto av nærende mat, moderat mosjon, hyppig massasje av de lammede delene,
spesielle salver og medisinske bad. Behandlingen lindret faktisk noen av
symptomene og var svært populær blant pasientene på Hawaii. P. Damian hadde tro
på behandlingen og erklærte at han ikke ønsket å behandles av noen andre enn
Dr. Masanao Goto. Dr. Goto var en av hans beste venner, og p. Damians siste
reise til Honolulu den 10. juli 1886 var for å motta behandling av ham.
Til tross for at p.
Damian nå var smittet av sykdommen, fortsatte han å bo og arbeide sammen med og
hjelpe de spedalske like aktivt som før. Han bygde så mange hus som han klarte
og utvidet barnehjemmene, og han begynte å legge planer for fortsettelsen av
sitt arbeid etter at han selv var borte. Hans åndelige liv utviklet seg også og
ble dypere. Først led han en periode av forlatthet, da han på en svært
menneskelig måte var redd for hva som kom til å skje med ham og undret på hva
som hadde skjedd med den spesielle beskyttelsen han hadde håpet på fra
Gud, Jomfru
Maria og den hellige Josef. I tillegg
var han helt alene på en tid hvor han kunne hatt behov for menneskelig trøst.
P. Montiton dro noen måneder senere til en annen misjon. Straks nyheten om
pater Damians sykdom ble kjent, stanset også besøkene fra utlandet.
Men det virker som om
pater Damian i oktober 1885 hadde kommet over følelsen av frykt og forlatthet,
og i 1887 skrev han at han trodde han måtte være den lykkeligste misjonæren i
verden. Den eneste frykten han hadde, var at han ville bli så forkrøplet at han
ikke lenger kunne feire messen. Og plutselig ble ting bedre. Han var i stand
til å tilbringe en uke på et sykehus i Honolulu, hvor han fikk besøk av kongen,
statsministeren og biskopen. Penger og tilbud om bønner kom fra Europa og USA.
P. Damian fikk hjelp fra
fire fremmede som kom til Kalaupapa for å hjelpe den syke misjonæren: en prest,
en soldat, en mannlig sykepleier og en nonne. I mai 1886 sluttet den
amerikanske legmannen Joseph Dutton seg til ham som hans assistent, og han ble
på Molokai i over førti år. Dutton var en soldat fra den amerikanske
borgerkrigen og forlot et ekteskap som var ødelagt på grunn av alkoholisme, og
han arbeidet med å bygge og vedlikeholde bygningene på stedet. I 1888 kom den
belgiske presten p. Louis Lambert Conrardy, som tok opp pastorale plikter.
James Sinnett var en sykepleier fra Chicago som pleide p. Damian i sykdommens
siste faser.
Den fjerde hjelperen var
den salige Moder Marianne Cope (1838-1918),
som tilhørte kongregasjonen «Søstre av St. Frans» (Sisters of the Third
Order of St. Francis – OSF) i Syracuse i New York. I 1877 ble hun valgt
til provinsial i Syracuse og ble Moder Marianne. I 1883 hadde medlemmer av
regjeringen på Hawaii under kong David Kalākaua (1874-91) begynt å se mot USA i
jakt etter en religiøs orden for å pleie ofrene for spedalskhet. Over femti
religiøse superiorer ble kontaktet, men bare Moder Marianne svarte ja. Sammen
med seks frivillige søstre kom hun til Honolulu den 8. november 1883. Deres
hovedoppgave var å bemanne filialhospitalet i Kaka'ako i Honolulu på øya Oahu,
som tjente som mottaksstasjon for pasienter med spedalskhet samlet fra hele
øya. De alvorligste tilfellene ble sendt for å isoleres på halvøya Kalaupapa på
øya Molokai.
I januar 1884 møtte Moder
Marianne for første gang pater Damian, som da tilsynelatende var ved god helse.
To år senere, etter at det var slått fast at han selv var smittet av
spedalskhet, var det bare Moder Marianne som viste gjestfrihet til den utstøtte
presten etter å ha hørt at hans sykdom gjorde ham til en uønsket gjest hos
kirkelige og statlige myndigheter i Honolulu.
I 1887, da en ny
regjering overtok på Hawaii, bestemte myndighetene å stenge hospitalet og
mottaksstasjonen i Kaka'ako på Oahu og gjeninnføre den gamle politikken med
isolasjon. Det ubesvarte spørsmålet var hvem som skulle pleie de syke når de
igjen skulle sendes i eksil til Kalaupapa. I april 1888 ga den rike bankmannen
Charles R. Bishop fra Honolulu regjeringen på Hawaii en donasjon på $ 5.000 for
å etablere et hjem for jenter på Kalaupapa, og Moder Marianne tok på seg
oppgaven. Hun kom til Kalaupapa tidlig i 1889 sammen med søstrene Leopoldina
Burns og Vincentia McCormick. Dette var noen måneder før p. Damians død, og de
kunne trøste den døende pateren ved å forsikre ham om at de ville sørge for
pleie til pasientene på guttehjemmet i Kalawao.
Kong David Kalākaua tildelte
p. Damian kommandørkorset av den kongelige ordenen av Kalākaua. Prinsesse Lydia
Liliuokalani besøkte kolonien for å gi ham medaljen, men hun skal ha vært så
opprørt og sønderknust at hun ikke klarte å lese opp sin tale. Men hun delte
sine erfaringer med resten av verden og priste offentlig p, Damians innsats.
Dermed ble hans navn spredt over hele USA og Europa, og mange samlet inn penger
til ham. Man mener at p. Damian aldri bar sin medalje.
I mars 1889 visste pater
Damian ut fra sykdommens utvikling at han ikke hadde lenge igjen, for han hadde
en arm i fatle og en fot i bandasjer og trakk på det ene benet. Men han sa at
nå var det ikke lenger behov for ham, siden arbeidet for de spedalske var i
gode hender. Den 23. mars ble han sengeliggende, og fra 28. mars var han
hjelpeløs. Den 30. mars avla han generalskriftemål og fornyet sine løfter. Den
1. april mottok han sin siste kommunion som Viaticum (vandringsbrødet),
og den 2. april mottok han sykesalvingens sakrament, som da var kjent som «den
siste olje». Klokken åtte om morgenen den 15. april 1889 døde han i Kalawao på
Molokai, 49 år gammel, etter seksten års arbeid blant de spedalske. Neste dag
feiret p. Moellers hans rekviemmesse i p. Damians kirke, St. Philomena, og hele
kolonien fulgte begravelseskortesjen til kirkegården ved siden av kirken. Der
ble p. Damian gravlagt under det samme palmetreet som han sov under da han
først kom til Molokai.
Etter p. Damians død drev
de tre fransiskanersøstrene «Bishop Home» for 103 jenter (1893) og frem til
1895 drev de også guttehjemmet. Etter å ha bygd et nytt hjem for gutter oppkalt
etter deres fremste velgjører Henry Baldwin, brakte Moder Marianne inn
Picpus-brødre for å drive det og trakk sine søstre ut for å arbeide på Bishop
Home. Moder Marianne kjente verdien av hygiene og fryktet aldri sykdommen. Hun
forutsa at ingen av hennes søstre noensinne ville få den, og det har heller
aldri skjedd. Moder Marianne vendte aldri tilbake til Syracuse. I sine siste år
var hun henvist til en rullestol på grunn av en kronisk nyresykdom. Hun døde av
et hjerteattakk den 9. august 1918 på Kalaupapa i en alder av 80 år.
Hennes saligkåringssak
ble åpnet i 1982. Den 20. april 2004 ble hennes «heroiske dyder» anerkjent og
hun fikk tittelen Venerabilis («Ærverdig»). Den 20. desember 2004
undertegnet pave Johannes Paul II (1978-2005) dekretet fra
Helligkåringskongregasjonen som godkjente et mirakel på hennes forbønn. Den 26.
januar 2005 ble hennes levninger gravd opp og identifisert, og den 2. februar
vendte de hjem til Syracuse. Lørdag den 14. mai 2005 ble hun saligkåret i
Peterskirken som den første i pave Benedikts pontifikat. Moder Mariannes
minnedag er dødsdagen 9. august.
Kontroversene om p.
Damians arbeid og levemåte fortsatte etter hans død, og et spesielt ondsinnet
angrep på hans moral kom fra den presbyterianske (kalvinistiske) presten dr. C.
M. Hyde i Honolulu. Den 2. august 1989 skrev han et brev til prestekollegaen H.
B. Gage, som sørget for å få det offentliggjort i et religiøst tidsskrift. Der
skrev dr. Hyde:
Som svar på dine spørsmål
om p. Damian, kan jeg bare svare at vi som kjente mannen, er forbauset over de
ekstravagante lovprisningene i avisene, som om han var den helligste filantrop.
Den enkle sannhet er at han var en grov, skitten mann, stivsinnet og trangsynt.
Han ble ikke sendt til Molokai, men dro dit uten tillatelse; han bodde ikke i
leprakolonien (før han selv fikk lepra), men vandret fritt rundt på hele øya
(mindre enn halve øya er reservert for spedalske), og han dro ofte til
Honolulu. Han hadde ikke noe med de reformene og forbedringene som ble satt i
gang som et verk av vårt Helsestyre, som ga de nødvendige midler. Han var ingen
ren mann i sine forbindelser med kvinner, og den spedalskhet som han døde av,
må tilskrives hans laster og skjødesløshet. Andre har gjort mye for de
spedalske, våre egne prester, regjeringens leger osv., men aldri med den
katolske ide om å vinne evig liv.
I 1889 kom den berømte
skotske forfatteren Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94) til Hawaii sammen med sin
familie for et langvarig opphold. Mens han var der, skrev Stevenson, som selv
var kalvinist, et berømt åpent brev til forsvar for pater Damians karakter. Før
han skrev sitt brev, som er datert 25. februar 1890, oppholdt han seg en uke på
Molokai. I sitt følelsesladede åpne brev kalte han Rev. Hyde en
«grinebiter» (crank) og besvarte hans kritikk punkt for punkt. Hans
brev inneholdt også dette avsnittet:
Dersom det er slik at
verden i det hele tatt husker deg den dagen når Damian av Molokai kommer til å
bli utropt til helgen, vil det skyldes ett eneste verk: ditt brev til Reverend
H. B. Gage.
En artikkel i Pacific
Commercial Advertiser den 20. juni 1905 fjernet alle mistanker som var
rettet mot p. Damians karakter, og den beviste uten den minste tvil at Dr.
Hydes insinuasjoner hvilte utelukkende på misforståelser.
Etter dette ble pater
Damians hengivenhet og hellighet raskt anerkjent. I 1936 ba den belgiske
regjeringen om at hans legeme skulle føres tilbake til fødelandet, og samme år
ble det brakt over havet på det belgiske skipet Mercator. Hans jordiske rester
ble gravlagt i Picpus-patrenes kirke i Leuven/Louvain (Löwen), en historisk
universitetsby like ved den landsbyen hvor p. Damian ble født. Han fikk i 1962
en ny grav i krypten under den nye kirken. Han anses som et forbilde på barmhjertighetens
heroisme. Mahatma Gandhi kalte i 1945 pater Damian en «helt av format» og sa at
han hadde vært en av inspirasjonskildene for hans sosiale aksjoner i India som
førte til landets selvstendighet. Den salige Mor Teresa av
Calcutta (1910-97) gikk tidlig inn for p. Damians saligkåring.
I 1955 ble p. Damians
saligkåringsprosess formelt åpnet i Vatikanet. Den 7. juli 1977 ble hans
«heroiske dyder» anerkjent av pave Paul VI (1963-78), og han fikk
tittelen Venerabilis («Ærverdig»). Den 13. juni 1993 undertegnet
pave Johannes
Paul II (1978-2005) dekretet fra Helligkåringskongregasjonen som
godkjente et mirakel på p. Damians forbønn. Det skjedde i 1895 med den franske
nonnen Simplicia Hue. Hun lå døende av en kronisk tarmsykdom og begynte da en
novena til p. Damian. Både smertene og sykdommens symptomer forsvant da over
natten.
Den 4. juni 1995 ble p.
Damian saligkåret i Brussel/Bruxelles i Belgia av pave Johannes Paul II.
Opprinnelig skulle saligkåringen ha funnet sted i mai 1994, men seremonien
måtte avlyses på kort varsel etter at paven om kvelden den 28. april 1994 falt
på badet og brakk høyre lårben og dagen etter måtte få operert inn nytt
hofteledd. I 1995 ble en relikvie satt sammen av restene av p. Damians høyre
hånd og ført tilbake til hans opprinnelige grav i Kalaupapa, til stor glede for
Molokai og resten av Hawaii.
Den 3. juli 2008
undertegnet pave Benedikt XVI dekretet
fra Helligkåringskongregasjonen som godkjente et nytt mirakel på hans forbønn.
Dette skjedde med fru Audrey Toguchi fra Honolulu på Hawaii (f. 1928), som i
1997 var alvorlig syk med uhelbredelig lungekreft (Liposarcoma pleomorphic
metastasis). Hun fikk besøk av brødre og søstre fra Picpus-ordenen, som ba
henne om å be om den salige p. Damians forbønn. Legene anbefalte henne sterkt å
gjennomgå en cellegiftkur, men hun avviste dette og sa til legene at hun heller
ville be til p. Damian, som hun hadde beundret fra hun var barn. Hun ba ved
hans relikvier i Kalawao og ba også sine venner og slektninger om å be for
henne. Hun forteller selv at alle hennes bønner fra 1. mai 1997 til 19. januar
2004 var rettet til Gud utelukkende gjennom den salige Damian. Hun ble
fullstendig helbredet uten noen form for behandling, og at hun er overbevist om
at helbredelsen skjedde på hans forbønn. Hun er i dag (2009) 81 år gammel og
fullstendig frisk. Saken ble dokumentert av kvinnens lege, dr Walter Chang, som
ikke er katolikk, i Hawaii Medical Journal i oktober 2000.
Damian ble helligkåret
sammen med fire andre den 11. oktober 2009 i Peterskirken i Roma. På grunn av
det usikre romerske høstværet ble det i siste øyeblikk bestemt å holde
helligkåringsseremonien inne i kirken i stedet for ute på Petersplassen. I
tillegg til tallrike pilegrimsgrupper fra de nye helliges hjemland var også det
belgiske kongeparet Albert II og Paola til stede ved helligkåringsseremonien
sammen med den belgiske statsministeren Herman Van Rompuy. Femti prester
koncelebrerte, inkludert fem for hver helgen. Blant dem var den belgiske
primas, kardinal Godfried Danneels av
Mechelen-Brussel (Malines-Bruxelles) (76).
I forbindelse med
helligkåringen var det uken før en stor folkefest i Belgia, da over 20 000
mennesker feiret Damian i fødebyen Tremelo. Det ble også lest opp en hilsen fra
president Barack Obama, som vokste opp på Hawaii. Det belgiske postvesenet ga
den 5. oktober ut et nytt Damian-frimerke med pålydende verdi 90 cent. I tillegg
til mange nye bøker om Damian kom også en rekke andre Damian-produkter på
markedet, som Damian-øl, Damian-kaffe, Damian-konfekt, kaker, nøkkelringer,
penner og lysestaker.
Damians minnedag ble ved
saligkåringen fastsatt til 10. mai, mens han på Hawaii feires på dødsdagen 15.
april. Allerede i november 1999 vedtok den amerikanske bispekonferansen å ta
inn p. Damians minnedag i den liturgiske kalenderen med rang av valgfri
minnedag. Fordi han ble smittet av lepra og døde av sykdommen, betraktes han av
mange som en «nestekjærlighetens martyr», og han er kjent som «leprapresten».
Hans attributter er et tre og en due.
Damian er skytshelgen for
spedalske. Han har også blitt adoptert av mange hiv/aidssyke som deres
uoffisielle skytshelgen, ettersom de føler seg stigmatisert på grunn av sin
sykdom på samme måte som spedalske var i tidligere århundrer. Verdens eneste
katolske minnekapell for dem som har dødd av aids, ligger i Église
Saint-Pierre-Apôtre i Montreal i Quebec i Canada og er konsekrert til ham. Ved en
avstemming i et fjernsynsprogram i den flamske rikskringkastingen VRT i Belgia
i 2005 utropte seerne ham til De Grootste Belg, «den største belgier i
hele Belgias historie».
Damian er også
skytshelgen for Hawaii, hvor hans statue står utenfor delstatsparlamentets
bygning. Hawaiis andre kandidat for helligkåring er Marianne Cope, p. Damians
etterfølger i Kalaupapa.
Regissøren David Miller
lagde i 1938 den korte filmen The Great Heart om p. Damians liv. I
1980 ble p. Damian spilt av Ken Howard i fjernsynsfilmen Father Damien:
Leper Priest. Etter saligkåringen ble den belgiske filmprodusenten Tharsi
Vanhuysse inspirert til å sette i gang et prosjekt for å hedre den berømte
presten. Det ble til filmen Molokai: The Story of Father Damien, regissert
av Paul Cox (2000). Australske David Wenham spilte hovedrollen, og andre
medvirkende var Derek Jacobi, Kris Kristofferson, Sam Neill, Tom Wilkinson og
Peter O'Toole.
Karantenepolitikken for
spedalske på Hawaii ble opphevet i 1969 etter at det ble mulig å behandle sykdommen
på poliklinisk basis og den kunne betraktes som ikke smittsom. Da hadde i alt
rundt 8 000 mennesker blitt forvist til halvøya Kalaupapa, rundt 90 % av dem
innfødte fra Hawaii. Mange av de eldste pasientene valgte å bli værende i det
som var blitt deres hjem, og staten lovte at de kan bo der resten av livet. Men
ingen nye pasienter eller andre permanente residerende tillates. Besøkende
tillates bare som en del av offisielt sanksjonerte turer. Statlig lov forbyr
alle under seksten år å besøke eller bo på stedet. Ved folketellingen i 2000
hadde County Kalawao 147 innbyggere. Ved helligkåringen i oktober 2009 var det
tyve eldre pasienter som fortsatt bodde i Kalaupapa, og elleve av dem reiste
til Roma for å delta i seremonien sammen med sin lege.
Kilder: Butler
(IV), Delaney, Bunson, Ball (1), Holböck (4), Resch (B3), Index99, KIR, CE,
CSO, Bautz, Heiligenlexikon, santiebeati.it, en.wikipedia.org, EWTN/OR,
nps.gov, lysator.liu.se, naimad.de, belgium.be, catholicnewsagency.com,
Kathpress oktober 2009 - Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden -
Opprettet: 2008-06-11 16:07 - Sist oppdatert: 2009-10-16 22:44
Linken er kopiert til
utklippstavlen!
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/dveuster
Voir aussi : http://www.ssccpicpus.com/pag.aspx?ln=en&id=87
http://www.damiaanactie.info/actiondamien/
http://www.jeunescathos.org/dossier/damien
http://www.ssccpicpus.fr/article.asp?contenu_ssrub=Biographie+de+Damien+de+molokai+%28Joseph+de+Veuster%29+ss%2Ecc++&contenu_rub=Bx+DAMIEN+DE+MOLOKA%CF
http://www.ssccpicpus.fr/article.asp?contenu_ssrub=Livres+sur+Damien+de+Molokai%2C+Apotre+des+Lepreux&contenu_rub=PUBLICATIONS#
http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2009/10/10/Damien_Hawaii_Saint_Molokai_Kalaupapa_canonization/4
http://www.fatherdamien.com/
