More than 400 Hawaii residents are making plans to attend the canonization of Father Damien in Rome this fall, including about 10 patients from Kalaupapa.But the patients will need a little community support to make the trip.
Fourteen years ago, patients of Father Damien were the honored guests at Damien's Beatification in Belgium, where Pope John Paul II presided.
It was a tough trip then, and this one will be tougher -- age and medical problems will make travel more difficult.
Many in that first Hawaii delegation have since passed away, but others are determined to witness the canonization of the martyr of Moloka'i.
The Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and Ahahui o Na Kauka and the Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians on Sunday announced a dinner event to raise money to send the patients and their caregivers to Rome.
"I really want to go because this is a big day for Father Damien, to support him," said Meli Watanuki, of Kalaupapa.
"His spirit is very tangible to them. It would be like having a member of your family be canonized. You would want to be there," Bishop Larry Silva said.
"Special for me to carry on what my husband has been doing. But still want to push on what he was working for," said Gloria Marks, widow of former Kalaupapa Sheriff Richard Marks.
The money raised will fund an endowment for Native Hawaiian medical students and provide for the transport of a relic.
In the Catholic church, a relic is an object of veneration, usually a part of the body of the saint.
Damien's body now rests in Leuven, Belgium, where he studied for the priesthood, but a part of his remains will be coming home to Hawaii. At his beatification, the ash and bone of Damien's right hand was given to the Hawaii delegation to be re-interred at Kalawao.
Now plans call for Damien's right heel is to be enshrined at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, after a tour of neighbor island churches.
The Diocese hopes the funds raised will defray these expenses.
The Father Damien legacy dinner is July 18 at the Sheraton Waikikii.
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