Homily: Feast of St Damien de Veuster

Feast of St Damien de Veuster (John 16:20-23) “No Plaster Saint”

During the last couple of years Sacred Heart parish has gotten to know St. Damien de Veuster well. He was our patron as we built our church addition.  We would have to say that he has been a wonderful prayer partner for us. We are enjoying the new facilities at our church. The Damien Center has hosted a lot of events already. Many people who were unable to attend Mass are now able to do so.

John Farrow wrote a biography of St. Damien. Farrow was a Hollywood director and writer. For some reason he took an interest in St. Damien. It was probably because he had traveled around the islands of the south Pacific and had gotten to know St. Damien’s story.

Farrow’s novel is not a sugar-coated version of Damien’s life. Damien is portrayed as a man who struggled with his temper. He was a man who clashed with church authorities as he ministered in a leper colony in Hawaii.

Damien is accused of the sin of vainglory. People who were jealous of him in the church claimed that he was motivated by the notoriety he received for his heroic ministry. This probably stung Damien more than the lack of cooperation he received from the government and from the Catholic church.

Damien had to exercise the virtue of meekness repeatedly. He fought hard to preserve the human dignity of the lepers he served. He spent little time answering personal attacks. He was not concerned about his legacy. He was only concerned that the pain and suffering of the lepers be relieved.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Why do saints have to endure personal attacks at times? What are those attacks like?

2.   Have I ever exercised the virtue of meekness? When?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Seton School is winding down the year. The Walk-a-thon will be taking place in just a couple weeks. This is one of the major fund raisers of the year. If you are approached by a Seton Grade School student, please consider sponsoring them.

          The student will walk several miles or minutes and you can pledge a certain amount of money for the walk that they take. The Walk-a-thon has raised thousands of dollars for our Catholic School. This is a worthy cause. If you have questions call the Seton School office.

          May Our Lady of Peace pray for our troubled world,

          Fr. Mark