MOLOKAI LEPER COLONY
In Kalaupapa, Molokai leper colony of infected families has lived and died in the 1866. This was a secluded colony to prevent the leprosy, scientifically known as Hansen Disease from infecting other people.
It was such a dreading illness that eats your skin and muscles into decay. Today, there are only a few living leprous persons in Kalaupapa and they are treated.
The leper colony in Molokai in the eighties was yearly supplied with food, grocery, gas and other hospital necessities. In 1973, Father Damien arrived and took good care of the patients. He was a good Catholic missionary from the remnants of Belgium.
He built livable homes and facilities for them and taught the infected people to keep clean of themselves and the environment. He also built churches and coffins for the respectable and holy death of his dear patients. Father Damien got the disease himself and died there at the age of 49.
In 1886, Brother Joseph Dutton helped Father Damien in taking good care of the leprous people. During this time, Father Damien is also sick and decaying. It was Brother Joseph who took care of him.
Mother Marianne followed afterwards and became the nurse and administrator of the patients. She is very energetic even she reached her old age and she feel very humbled educating the ill as she saw God as she serves.
Pope Paul VI declared Father Damien to be venerable, to become a saint after two more declarations. Pope John Paul II declared him as blessed, the second step before canonization which is the sainthood.
Molokai leper colony has been blessed even with the pain they suffer until they died.
Tags: Molokai leper colony