APOSTLE OF THE LEPERS

Grey River Argus, 5 May 1936, Page 6

APOSTLE OF THE LEPERS

FATHER DAMIEN

His Remains Return to

Belgium

(Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Rec. May 4th., 5.5 p.m.)

ANTWERP, Alav 3

From the King to the peasant, one hundred thousand Belgians and also many representatives of other nations assembled here “to honour the remains of Father Damien (the. apostle of the Lepers on the island of Molokai. near Honolulu, where he established a colony for the lepers last century, and spen: his life ministering to them until he died himself of leprosy). 'flte remains oli Father Damien (who was a Belgian) arriv'd at Antwerp aboard the Belgian three-masted cadet ship, “Mercator.’’ Eight of the cadets Imre the coffin ashore. King Leopold, of Belgium, stepped forward to receive the coffin followed bv Cardinal Van Ropy, the At-idibishoi) of Malines; and by a concourse of Bishops, diplomats and politicians, also l-’ather Dam’en's nephew; and nieces. At the same time a salute of onus wtts fired.

The I’rimo Minister of Belgium. Dr. Van Zeeland, rendering homage to Father Damien on In halt' of the Government and people, recalled Esther Damien’s life of devotion to God and b.iinianit v.

The coffin was then borne to the Antwerp Cathedral, where there was <t ceremonial service. The cathedral remained open all night so as to enable the faithful to pass before the coffin, which to morrow will lie buried in a eryt ‘ in Louvain. There the grave wilt b- lined with soil from hi- «i''gitie.l grave on ‘he island of Mc’okn:.