Tremelo organizes a mass in honor of the canonization of father Damien. The King and the Queen attend the ceremony amongst some other public figures. The final step for sanctification will take place next on October the 11th.

The Flemish community waits for their beloved father to be officially proclaimed a saint. After his death in 1889, It didn’t take long to realize that Jozef De Veuster, as he was called at birth, left too much of an impression for him to be forgotten. During his missionary time in the Kingdom of Hawaii, he became the voice and the helping hand of the lepers of Molokai. He devoted his life to their needs and even died for them when he contracted the Hansen’s disease. As centuries went by, he became a symbol for all ostracized sufferers; during last decades specially VIH patients.

Besides King Albert II and Queen Paola, the Belgium prime minister, Herman Van Rompuy, and the Flemish Minister-President, Kris Peeters, have also attended the mass. From the American delegation, the ambassador in Belgium and a group from Molokai have been there too. Including one of the women he miraculously cured after his lifetime.

The open air service has been very emotive and numerous people have gathered to remember father Damien. Dozens of tents have given refreshments and shelter to the thousand of devotees that want to be there during this historical moment. Benedict XVI will finish the process that started Paul VI, declaring him venerable, and followed John Paul II with his beatification.

Sources:

Flanders News.be

The Royal Forums.

National Park Service (U.S.A. Department of the Interior)

Nathalie Loix: PAL Graphic design student.

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