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Born in Tremelo, Belgium, With the name Jozef De Veuster.
He was the 7th child in his family -
He followed his brother and 2 sisters footsteps and became a PIcpus Brother.At age 18 he joined his brother at his order
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made his 1st religious vows and took the name Damien
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made religious vows in Paris
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His prayer was answered and because of his brothers illness Damien was sent to Hawaii instead of his brother
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He was a missionary
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He was Ordained to the preisthood at the Cathedral of our lady of peace.
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People thought that leprosy was highly contagious and incurable and in 1865 the KIng approved the "Act to Prevent the Spreadof Leprosy" and over 8,000 lepers were went away
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The Bishop realised that sending people to this place could be a death sentene and did not want to send anyone, but he realised they needed a priest. 4 priests volunteered, Father Damien was the 1st to volunteer. There were 816 lepers living there. He built a church, homes, beds, coffins he established the Parish of Saint Philomena and dug graves.At the age of 33 he went there.
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He put his foot into scalding water and felt nothing, he had contracted leprosy.
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He died of leprosy at age 49 at 8am
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Dr Masanao Goto was aJapanese leprologist and treated Damien
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He knew death was near, his arm was in a sling, his foot in bandages and his leg was dragging.
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The whole settlement followed the funeral to the cemetery and he was laid to reat under a pandanus tree
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Damiens body was returned and now rests in Leuven
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In Hawaii his feast day is the day of his death
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By Pope Paul VI
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by Pope John Paul II
the remains of his right hand were returned to Hawaii and re-buried in his origional grave -
Placed on the liturgical calender with the rank of optional memorial.
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De Grootste Belg (The greatest Belgian)
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in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI