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Who is S . Damien of Molokai?

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Joseph de Veuster was born on Jan. 3, 1840, in Belgium. When his oldest brother entered religious life, their father planned for Joseph to run the family business in his brother’s place; however, Joseph also desired to enter religious life! At age 19, he entered the novitiate and took the name Damien.

Five years later, his brother was supposed to travel to Hawaii for mission work but became sick. This time Damien took his brother’s place, arriving in Honolulu on March 19, 1864. He was ordained a priest just two months later.

At that time, the Hawaiian government tried to stop leprosy’s spread by quarantining those with this sickness, moving them to a remote area, Kalaupapa, on Molokai Island, which was surrounded by ocean on three sides and a very tall cliff on the fourth. Abandoned, the people begged for spiritual guidance, so in 1873 Damien became the first priest to minister to them in person, and other priests followed.

He did much to bring order to the chaos and restore hope in the people who suffered physically, mentally and spiritually. Damien chose to remain permanently. In 1885 he contracted the disease himself and died four years later, after 16 years of caring for the bodies and souls of those affected by leprosy.

Damien Molokai Leprosy Hawaii Religious Missionary Kalaupapa Minister Belgium Quarantine Guidance

“It is at the foot of the altar that we find the STRENGTH we need in our isolation...” S. Damien of Molokai

• 1 box yellow or pineapple supreme cake mix • 1 can (20oz.) pineapple slices, drained (reserve juice) • 8-10 maraschino cherries • 1 cup packed brown sugar • ½ cup melted butter • ½ cup vegetable oil • 3 eggs • 1 cup reserved pineapple juice plus water

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe

BY WAYNE & MARIANNE TOPP

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. • With a kitchen scissors cut small triangles out of the edge of 10 pineapple rings to create flower shapes.

Cut any remaining rings into small pieces. Save the cut pieces. • Cover the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan with the melted butter butter and brown sugar. • Arrange the pineapple flowers in a wreath shape around the bottom of the pan. Arrange the pieces in a single layer in the center of the pan, keeping space between the flowers and the pieces. • Place one cherry in the center of each pineapple flower. Set pan aside. • Follow directions on box to make cake batter. Pour batter evenly over pineapples and cherries. • Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

• Cool on wire rack for 5-10 minutes. Invert onto a serving dish. • Enjoy celebrating the life of the great saint of Molokai.