THE LAST DAYS OF FATHER DAMIEN

Manawatu Herald, 27 August 1889, Page 4

THE LAST DAYS OF FATHER DAMIEN

On the 28th of March Father Damien took to his bed, and on th« 80th began his direct preparation for death by n general confession and renewal of his vows. Next day, says the Table , lie received the Holy Viaticum. On April 2 Father Conrady gave him Extreme Unction " How goci G^d is, " he said during the day, '■ to n ye preserved me long enough to have two priests by my side atniy 1. st moments, and aso to have the good Sisters of Chaii'-y at the Leprosorie. That has been my ' Nunc Dimitis. ' The work of the lepers is assured, and so I'm no longer necessary, and will soon gc lup yonder. ' • When you are up above, Father, y>-.u will not forget those you le;ive orphaus ? " " Oh, no ! if 1 h «ye any c edit with God, I "will intercede for all in the Leproserie." I tLen begged him to leave me his mantle, like Elias, in ordei that I might have his gre>tt hear , " Why, what wou'd you do with it ? ' he asked, " it is al. full of lepiosy ! ' A ew days of respite, even of rallying and hope, followed. The good Sisters of Charity often visited him, Everybody admired his wondeiful patience. C n the 13th he hm\ » * ail relapse, and all hope was at an end A little after midnight he rtci-ivc-d Holy Communion for the last time, and began occasi..nly to lobe consciousness. The next day he still recogirztd his comrades, ljut could noi speak, though irom tuni; to time he affectionately pre-'^pd their hands. On the loLh his njrony Ik^hii, and soon all wns over. He du-.i wi'licnt He died witiiout au effort, a« ii going to sleep. After death vii marks of leprosy disappeared from his face, and the wounds in his hand;were quite diiecl. Athis owu request he wasburieu under a large pandanus tree. When he first ianded at Molokai he had no dwelling, and was obliged to bleep for several night* under the shade of this tree, and foi this reason he desired to be huriec there.