Culture & Art

Aloha Saint Damien: First-class relic less than a week away

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

This is an ongoing blog about Father Damien by Molokai Dispatch reporter Megan Stephenson.

There are three types of relics, classified by the physical connection to the saint. A first-class relic is an item directly associated with Jesus Christ – such as a part of the cross he was crucified on – or the saint’s physical body – such as a bone. These are the most prized of relics, as they are assumed to be incorruptible (they not deteriorate). A second-class relic is usually a piece of clothing or an item frequently used, such as a book or rosary. A third-class relic is usually more connected to the first- or second-class relics, such as small piece of cloth. The sale of relics are strictly forbidden, according to Canon Law.

Both of Saint Damien’s relics are first-class: his right hand and his left foot, both of which showed the physical signs of leprosy. This symbolism serves as an additional reminder of his sacrifice.

However, not all relics are Christ-related. There are many other religions who find solace in remembering their prophets or religious leaders. For example, the relics of Buddha are worshiped, and have been confirmed as Buddha’s by archaeological study.

The relic is currently in Maui. It will travel to Lanai and Kauai before returning to Molokai this Friday. The relic will permanently reside in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, where Saint Damien was ordained a priest nearly 150 years ago.

Aloha Saint Damien: Celebratory knickknacks

Friday, October 16th, 2009

This is an ongoing blog about Father Damien by Molokai Dispatch reporter Megan Stephenson.

Aloha Saint Damien: Where is he now – besides heaven.

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

This is an ongoing blog about Father Damien by Molokai Dispatch reporter Megan Stephenson.

The relic and its accompanying group is already on its way, stopping in Detroit on Tuesday, San Francisco today (Thursday), and Oakland, California Friday. It will arrive in Honolulu on Saturday, and immediately depart for the Big Island. Below is the relic itinerary for Hawaii.

Hawaii
Saturday Oct. 17 - Kona
Sunday Oct. 18 – Holuola and Kailua-Kona
Monday Oct. 19 – Honokaa and Waimea
Tuesday Oct. 20 – Hawi
Wednesday Oct. 21 – Laupahoehoe, Naalehu, Mountain View and Keaau
Thursday Oct. 22 – Pahoa, Keaukaha and Papaikou
Friday Oct. 23 – Hilo
Maui
Saturday Oct. 24 – Kihei, Kahului, Wailuku and Hana
Sunday Oct. 25 – Paia, Makawao and Maui Memorial Gym
Monday Oct. 26 – Kula, Waihee, Kapalua and Lahaina
Lanai
Tuesday Oct. 27 – Manele Harbor and Lanai City
Wednesday Oct. 28 – Lanai City
Kauai
Wednesday Oct. 28 – Lihue
Thursday Oct. 29 – Kapaa, Kekaha, Kalaheo and Koloa
Molokai
Friday Oct. 30 – arrives 9:20am, taken to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Kaluaahu for 12:30p Mass; St. Joseph’s in Kamalo for 3pm prayer; St. Sophia’s in Kaunakakai for 6pm interfaith service at nearby ball field, followed by personal prayer and devotion by relic party
Saturday Oct. 31 – 7am carry relic down Kalaupapa trail; 9am greeted by National Park Service in Kalaupapa
Oahu
Sunday Nov. 1 – Noon Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace with Bishop Silva; interfaith service at Iolani Palace at 2pm; relic returned to Cathedral where it will remain permanently

Going back to Old Testament days, a relic is an object or part of the saint that is venerated, or honored. The item’s significance to the saint is what makes the object venerated as well. For instance, Saint Damien’s first relic that arrived on Molokai in 1995 was his right hand, which was deeply infected with leprosy. The upcoming relic signifies his missionary duties of constant traveling, to serve his parishioners. His hand is buried at his original gravesite in Kalawao.

Visit http://www.fatherdamien.com/damien.html for specific locations and times. The relic will be on display at these locations for reflection, prayer, and veneration.

Aloha Saint Damien: Alleluia!

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

This is an ongoing blog about Father Damien from Molokai Dispatch reporter Megan Stephenson.

Saint Damien was also featured in a number of publications over the weekend, ranging from fellow Catholics commemorating, to national, leading newspapers.
• A parish from New York state blogged about the renamed St. Damien parish (http://blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsbench/2009/10/hawaiian-church-to-be-renamed-for-st-damien.html);
• An editorial appeared in the New York Times about the stigma of leprosy and Father Damien’s message (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/opinion/11sun2.html?_r=1);
• An article calling Damien the first Ironman for his endurance in American Spectator (http://spectator.org/archives/2009/10/09/the-first-ironman-of-hawaii);
• The Voice of America wrote of Damien’s story (http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2009-10-09-voa25.cfm);
• USA Today asked if the honors of Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize and Damien’s sainthood inspired people (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2009/10/barack-obama-sainthood-nobel-peace-prize-catholic-damien/1);
• The first news piece on Wikipedia’s news segment on Oct. 11 was Father Damien’s canonization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)

A Hawaiian Hollywood

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

Molokai Film Festival premieres local documentary.

By Dan Murphy

The sixth annual Molokai Film Festival debuted in a new setting last weekend at Coffees of Hawaii in Kualapu`u. The festival, previously held at Duke Maliu Park in Kaunakakai, drew hundreds of Molokai residents who were treated to a night of live music and Hawaiian cultural films.

“I wanted the opportunity for all Hawaiian filmmakers to share their work. If you have the courage to make a film, there should be a place to show it,” said Kenny Burgmaier, the co-founded and organizer of the yearly event.

This year’s lineup consisted of 16 Hawaiian films including historical dramas, animations and documentaries. The event was headlined by the world premiere of “Meth on Molokai: Recovering from an Epidemic,” written and directed by Molokai native Matt Yamashita.

Aloha Saint Damien: What will you do to celebrate?

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

This is an ongoing blog about Father Damien by Molokai Dispatch reporter Megan Stephenson.

While this is a special day on Molokai, and around Hawaii – Governor Lingle has already proclaimed October 11 to be Saint Damien Day – there are four other special souls who will be sainted with Father Damien.
Sister Jeanne Jugan (1792-1879) of France, a nun with the Little Sisters of the Poor; Rafael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938), a Spanish Cistercian; Francesc Coll y Guitart (1812-1875), also from Spain, he was a Dominican priest; and Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski (1822-1895), a Polish bishop.

The many Hawaiian groups that made the long journey to Europe have been posting their news via blogs and Twitter. The Boy Scouts of Oahu enjoyed Rome yesterday, visiting the Colesseum and attending Mass at St. Peter’s. Those in the Hawaiian Catholic Herald group, the official delegation from the Diocese of Honolulu (with Bishop Silva) posted the ‘Hawaiian pilgrims’ are headed to St. Peter’s Square around 7am (their time) for the canonization Mass. There blog can be found here: http://hawaiicatholicherald.wordpress.com/

In just a few hours, at 10pm Hawaiian time, Father Damien will become Saint Damien. Of course, it will be 10am local time, so it’s as if Hawaii gets a peek into the future!
Go out and celebrate!

Aloha Saint Damien: It’s Almost Time!

Friday, October 9th, 2009

This is an ongoing blog about Father Damien by Molokai Dispatch reporter Megan Stephenson.

I am also searching for contemporary news on Father Damien. There are two popular and notable blogs about the upcoming canonization: Countdown to St. Damien by the Honolulu Advertiser, and the Saint Damien Boy Scouts of Hawaii. Both are in the action: sending photos, videos and information back to Hawaii about the Belgian celebrations and (soon) the canonization ceremony in Rome.

One of the things the Advertiser reporter, Mary Vorsino (who is traveling with Honolulu Diocese Bishop Larry Silva) pointed out was how difficult it is to gauge how popular Father Damien is outside the Catholic, Belgian or Hawaiian worlds. A Google News search of ‘Father Damien’ brings up mostly articles from Catholic publications, Hawaiian publications, and a few AP article syndicated to other newspapers like the Philadelphia Inquirer. Not many US publications are picking up on this event.

But there are only eight American saints, and six Blessed persons ‘adopted’ because of their service to America, including Father Damien and Mother Mary. Out of over 10,000 saints by the Catholic Church in the past millennia, less than 20 people associated with America are astounding!

http://stdamienboyscouts.wordpress.com/
http://countdowntostdamien.honadvblogs.com/

Aloha Saint Damien: His Presence on Topside Molokai

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

This is an ongoing blog about Father Damien by Molokai Dispatch reporter Megan Stephenson.

In light of these recent thoughts, I am exploring Damien’s legacy on the very island he served. A week or so ago, I was driving on the Kalae Highway and saw a sign for a Kalaupapa exhibit. My nerdy self got excited: it combined my work, writing about Father Damien and his impact here on Molokai, and indulged my hobby of visiting museums.

So today, I went to the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center. It’s primarily the R.W. Meyer Sugar Mill Museum, dedicated to Rudolph Meyer, who started the sugar mill after he arrived on Molokai around 1848 as the public works superintendent. He worked closely with Damien during his tenure, often helping the missionary find the resources he needed.

Very understated, the Kalaupapa exhibit focused on the patients. There were many donated crafts, photos, and other artifacts from present patients in Kalaupapa: a coconut lamp, a wood-burned image of Father Damien, and black-and-white photographs of the peninsula, the nuns, and life throughout the years. The museum gave a very honest impression of how private the peninsula’s residents are, as well as the island’s protective nature of their privacy.

Setting it in Stone

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Public opinion sought for Kalaupapa Memorial.

By Dan Murphy

The Hansen’s disease patients at Kalaupapa will not be around forever. But their history and the history of thousands of others who have passed before them will not be forgotten. In March, President Obama signed a bill that allowed a memorial to be built in honor of all those who were sent to Kalaupapa. Now the monument’s details are in the hands of the community.

The National Park Service (NPS) and Ka Ohana O Kalaupapa held joint public meetings on several islands including Molokai last week to discuss the particulars of the memorial. The meetings are the first step in a three-step process to select a design and location for the memorial. After public mana`o is collected, the NPS and Ka Ohana will select three alternative sites and a preferred site for the monument. If the preferred site passes the necessary environmental assessments and does not disturb any burial grounds or sacred lands, construction can begin.

“There are certain processes that we are required to go through by law, but we want to get this done as fast as we possibly can,” NPS Kalaupapa Superintendent Steve Prokop said.

A Long Night of Aloha

Monday, September 28th, 2009