Saint Damien of Molokai (1840-1889), also called Father Damien, was born Jozef de Veuster in Tremelo, Belgium. He was a Flemish Belgian Jesuit priest who arrived in Oahu, Hawaii in 1864 to serve as a missionary. In 1865, the royal legislature decreed that all inhabitants who had a diagnosis of leprosy should be isolated on the Kalaupapa peninsula of the island called Moloka’i. In 1873, Damien arrived at the leper colony of over 800 inmates. In addition to being a priest, he was also an effective builder and organizer. In 1884, he contracted the disease and died five years later. His body was exhumed in 1936 and returned to his home in Belgium. The canonization process began in 1977 and was completed in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.
- Medal
Bronze. Belgium. Udated, but 1936. Signed. Posthumous. On the occasion of transferring Father Damien's remains from Hawaii to Belgium.
- Size
70 mm
- Artist
Alfonse Mauquoy (1880-1954) Belgian medallist Alfonse Mauquoy (1880-1954) Belgian medallist and sculptor, son of Maarten, the owner of an engraving workshop in Antwerp. Alphonse and his brother Hubert joined father's successful (till this day) business, Mauquoy Engraving Company, though after Alfonse's death it is owned and run by the Jansen family. (Forrer 8, 34)
- Obverse
Clothed bust to left, wearing glasses; around along edge from bottom left, PATER DAMIANUS DE VEUSTER SS.CC. LEPROSORUM APOSTOLUS; on left by his lips 1840 / 1889 in two lines; on right two hearts, one with the cross, the other with the sword, both within the circle of thorns, and below ALF. / MAUQUOY incused in two lines.
- Reverse
Hawaian landscape with mountain range, above MAJOREM HAC / DILECTIONEM NEMO HABET, UT / ANIMAM SUAM PONAT QUIS PRO / AMICIS SUIS (St. JOAN CHAP XV) in four lines; below on left, cross and over it MOLOKAI, at right bottom artist initials AM, incused.
- Edge
FISCH & Cie signature of medal maker Paul Fisch (1865-unknown), Belgian engraver and medallist from Brussels (Forrer 2, 97; 7, 306)
