Father Damien's Grave

Father Damien's grave lies next to St. Philomena Catholic Church in Kalawao.

NPS / Glauco Puig-Santana

Quick Facts

Location:

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Amenities

1 listed

Parking - Auto

Father Damien was born January 3, 1840, as Joseph de Veuster in Tremelo, Belgium. At the age of 19, he entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Louvain. Upon entering the congregation, he chose to take on the name Damien. When his older brother fell ill and could no longer serve in Hawaii, Damien volunteered to take his place. He arrived in Hawaiʻi on March 19, 1864.

He volunteered to care for people inflicted with Hansen’s disease at Kalaupapa in 1873. After a short time, he wrote to his Bishop, stating he wanted to devote his life to helping the patients of Kalawao. During his stay in the settlement, he helped dress sores and build churches, homes, and coffins. He also organized schools and farms.

By 1884, Father Damien contracted the disease, and five years later he passed away on August 15, 1889. His body was exhumed in 1936 to be sent back to his homeland in Belgium. Father Damien was canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church on October 11, 2009, and is now Saint Damien. A relic of St. Damien was sent back to Kalaupapa and was interred in his original resting place next to St. Philomena’s Church.

Learn more about Father Damien.