Molokai enjoyed a busy weekend of activities highlighted by the Aloha Festivals, which wrapped up Saturday with a busy parade and hoolauhlea. But the event that overshadowed everything else this weekend was canonization of Blessed Father Damien of Molokai to a saint.
Molokai now has a saint of its own to celebrate — Saint Damien of Molokai. At 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the Vatican, the pope read a passage in Latin that officially adds Father Damien to the Canon of Saints in the Roman Catholic Church. The ceremony was moved from St. Peter’s Square to St. Peter’s Basilica because of wet weather.
In Kaunakakai, it was a late night Saturday at St. Sophia’s Catholic Church, or St. Damien Church as it’s now known. With the official declaration of sainthood by Pope Benedict XVI, the local Catholic parish in Kaunakakai is now named St. Damien Church.
Damien built four churches topside, two of which are still standing. He built Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church in Kaluaaha in 1874 and St. Joseph Church in Kamalo in 1876 along with the two churches built on the Kalaupapa peninsula.
The local parish is in the process of raising $3 million to rebuild and expand Saint Damien Church. At a recent parish meeting, members learned that $1.9 million has been raised so far. The parish can now move forward in obtaining government permits and development of the planned worship space for 400 people, classrooms, conference rooms and socializing areas.
The broadcast of the canonization was shown on a large screen in the church beginning at 10 p.m. and continuing till well after midnight. Earlier in the evening was the usual Saturday mass, potluck supper and bingo. Portions of the one-man play “Damien,” by Aldyth Morris, were performed by keiki.
For the Hawaiians in Rome it was a chance to witness an historic moment that included an event in Rome with Bishop Larry Silva with the Lt. Governor James “Duke” Aiona. A proclamation was presented that he and Governor Lingle signed, declaring October 11, 2009 as Saint Damien Day in Hawaii. No government funds were utilized for the Lt. Governor’s trip.
Filed under: Kalaupapa and Father Damien
