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On the Canonization of Blessed Damien

By Bishop Larry Silva | Hawaii Catholic Herald | July 29, 2008

We thank God that on July 3, the Holy Father signed a decree confirming that the healing of Audrey Toguchi from cancer was indeed a miracle performed by God through the intercession of Father Damien. In effect, this means that Father Damien will be canonized, that is, declared a saint to be venerated perpetually by the universal Church. The only formalities that remain are a consistory of the cardinals (perhaps in February?) at which the Pope will formally declare before them his intention to canonize Father Damien; and, of course, the actual Canonization Mass.

The Diocesan Father Damien/Mother Marianne Commission has already been talking about possible canonization activities. There will be a pilgrimage to the canonization for those who are able to go, and we will have local celebrations as well.

I am sure the residents of Kalaupapa are delighted to hear that our beloved Father Damien will soon be canonized. It is he and Mother Marianne who will be the ones to tell the story of Kalaupapa for centuries to come.

The Church canonizes saints to set an example for us, because we are all called to holiness. Our diocesan strategic plan, the Road Map for Our Mission, identifies addressing the issue of homelessness as one of its goals. Father Damien addressed the very same issue in Kalaupapa. He himself built many homes for those who could not do so for themselves. We pray that Father Damien will inspire us all to reach out to those who are most in need in our community to make a real difference in their lives, to serve them with the love of Christ. We also pray that the Lord will raise up young men and women like Damien and Marianne, and call them to serve the Church as religious, priests and deacons.

It is my hope that we will soon embark on a restoration of our beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. It is 165 years old this year, and is the venue of Father Damien’s ordination as a priest. Part of the plans for renovation call for a shrine to honor Father Damien and another to honor Mother Marianne. I have already obtained permission to receive a significant relic of Father Damien for veneration in the Cathedral. I am working on obtaining a relic of Mother Marianne as well. Just as people go to cemeteries to honor their loved ones who have died, so we venerate relics of the saints.

It is God who created the miracle of Father Damien. It is God who accomplished the healings, through his intercession, that allowed his cause for sainthood to move forward. It is God who will renew us all with his love as we thank him for this great honor which will be paid to our brother and friend, our beloved Father Damien.