Mr.

Adam

English

September 2, 2022

Argumentative Essay

Father Damien; What comes to mind when you think of him? How is he important? Well

the time he spent while he was in Hawaii, he helped the people of Molokai with leprosy when he

didn't have to. People suffered from diseases there and he believed that no one should be alone

when they are sick and dying. It was a very dangerous mission and he knew that; Nonetheless, he

put his own life at risk so that the lepers of Molokai didn't have to be alone.

First, let's start at the beginning, on March 19, 1864 Father Damien arrived in Hawaii.

While he was there he was startled by the wounds from the leprosy. He then learned how to

address the wounds of those suffering from the horrific disease. During this time there were a lot

of lepers that had to be sent to Molokai to be quarantined. About 8,000 Hawaiian were sent there

to be quarantined. He knew a lot about leprosy including that it is very contagious; Even though

he knew it was contagious he didn't really care to be careful in helping with the lepers.

In the meantime, he decided to live in Hawaii for 16 years and built 4 churches; 300 of

the 325 buildings that were there at the time; Some of those buildings were schools, hospitals,

roads and orphanages. While he was there he also got to improve the water and housing.

After he was done dressing the wounds he would just go about his daily life. Because of

this decision, he contracted leprosy. Sometime later after 16 years of caring for the leper colony

Father Damien contracted leprosy and on April 15, 1889 he died before he could find the cure.

When Father Damein died he was involved in the process of becoming a Saint. In order

for this process to wait 5 years and since he was already a priest they had to look at his life and
see if he lived a good and holy life. If Father Damien lived a good and holy life he would then be

canonized. So they did this long process in 2009 Father Damien became a saint. Saint Damien is

a patron of the lepers and outcasts.

In conclusion, Father Damien really was a key person in Hawaiian history in helping the

lepers of Molokai in a kind and caring way. He made their lives much more manageable and

happy. If it weren't for Father Damien the lepers would not have lived as long as they did or have

as many resources. That is why in 2009 Father Damein was canonized. He played a huge role in

contributing compassion to those suffering from such a horrible disease.

https://www.nps.gov/kala/learn/historyculture/damien.htm#:~:text=Father%20Damien%2

0is%20famous%20throughout,the%20island%20of%20Moloka%60i.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Damien-of-Molokai

https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/hawaiis-father-damien-from-priesthood-to-sainthood/

https://www.the-low-countries.com/article/rebel-with-a-cause-father-damien-on-molokai