Damien

Damien, FATHER. Joseph Damien, born at Louvain, 3d January 1841, in 1873 devoted himself to the awful duties of spiritual guide to the lepers confined to the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Sent on a mission to Honolulu, where he heard from the bishop the neglected state of the lepers, some 700 or 800 in number, who lived on that small island, he volunteered to establish himself amongst them; and from 1877 onwards became physician of their souls and bodies, their magistrate, teacher, carpenter, gardener, cook, and even gravedigger at need. For long he worked on single-handed at his noble labours, but was ultimately joined by another priest. For twelve years he escaped all contagion of the fatal disease, though in constant contact with the sick and dying; but in 1885 the malady appeared in him; yet he continued unabated his heroic labours till near his death, 10th April 1889. There are lives by Clifford (1889) and Cooke (1889).