Hawaii group leaves for Europe for leprosy priest’s canonization
By APFriday, October 2, 2009
Hawaii group leaves for Damien’s canonization
HONOLULU — A contingent of more than 500 Hawaii residents will be in Belgium this weekend to join festivities leading up to the canonization of a Catholic priest who ministered to leprosy patients in the 19th century before contracting the dreaded disease himself. Father Damien in Rome.
The group left Thursday night for the homeland of Father Damien, led by Hawaii Bishop Larry Silva. The group includes 11 residents of the leprosy settlement at Kalaupapa and a 70-member choir.
Pope Benedict XVI will declare Damien a saint at a Mass to be held Oct. 11 in St. Peter’s Square.
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