Public Figure Profiles

Father Damien

Father Damien or Saint Damien of Molokai, SS.CC. or Saint Damien De Veuster, born Jozef De Veuster, was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a missionary religious institute. He was recognized for his ministry, which he led from 1873 until his death in 1889, in the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi for people with leprosy (Hansen's disease), who lived in government-mandated medical quarantine in a settlement on the Kalaupapa Peninsula of Molokaʻi.During this time, he taught the Catholic faith to the people of Hawaii. Father Damien also cared for the patients and established leaders within the community to build houses, schools, roads, hospitals, and churches. He dressed residents' ulcers, built a reservoir, made coffins, dug graves, shared pipes, and ate poi with them, providing both medical and emotional support.

After eleven years caring for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of those in the leper colony, Father Damien contracted leprosy. He continued with his work despite the infection but finally succumbed to the disease on 15 April 1889. Father Damien also had tuberculosis which worsened his condition, but people think that the reason he volunteered in the first place was due to his illness of tuberculosis.Father Damien has been described as a "martyr of charity". Damien De Veuster is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. In the Anglican Communion and other Christian denominations, Damien is considered the spiritual patron for leprosy and outcasts. Father Damien Day, 15 April, the day of his death, is also a minor statewide holiday in Hawaii. Father Damien is the patron saint of the Diocese of Honolulu and of Hawaii.

Father Damien was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on 11 October 2009. Libert H. Boeynaems, writing in the Catholic Encyclopedia, calls him "the Apostle of the Lepers." Damien De Veuster's feast day is 10 May.

Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.

Some of their strengths

Father Damien has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Loyal, Optimistic, Adventurous, Independent, Honest, and Physical.

Smart and Hardworking

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Father Damien is someone who is a smart, hardworking, reliable, and loyal person, who is detail-oriented and orderly, but also generous and optimistic. A person who sees life as a journey not a destination.

Warm and Caring

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Father Damien well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.

Active and Ambitious

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Father Damien as someone who is active, ambitious, bold, and courageous.

A person who is driven and organized, is wise with money, who knows how to tell a good story, likes physical activity, and who loves learning.

Charismatic and Instinctual

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Father Damien is someone who handles stress better than most people, and who tends to have a powerful charisma and convictions.

They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.

Patient and Perseverent

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Father Damien tends to be someone who is patient, faithful, hardworking and persistent, and who wants to achieve a lot in life. Who tends to be rather private when it comes to expressing feelings, enjoys being independent and self-sufficient, and who is not afraid of any obstacle.

Some of Father Damien's challenges

While Father Damien has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, Father Damien can be Stubborn, Impulsive, Suspicious, Careless, Idle, Aggressive, and Temperamental.

Suspicious and Stubborn

One of Father Damien's key challenges is that they are someone who can be suspicious and stubborn.

Impulsive and Aggressive

Father Damien is someone who can be impulsive, aggressive, and confrontational, can have difficulty listening to others, be moody and high strung, have conflict with authority figures, be too judgmental of others, and who can be overindulgent and extravagant.

Callous and Stubborn

Finally, Father Damien also can come across as cold and unemotional, be too dismissive of others' opinions, and be overly suspicious, selfish and crafty.

Feel Better. Live with Purpose

Sol connects you with activities and community that aligns with your feelings, personality, and core values, so you can live a more purposeful, happier, and healthier life.

iosandroid
cards

Discover more Public Figures