Clusters of downtown activity will commemorate Father Damien, the beatified 19th century missionary to the Hansen’s disease patients of Molokai, on his feast day, May 10.

Called simply Damien Day, the annual spotlight on Hawaii’s universal hero will find its focus at two locations — the state capitol, where his bronze likeness gazes across Beretania Street, and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, where in 1864 the priest was ordained.

Events at the capitol start at 9:30 a.m. with a prayer service. Led by the local Sacred Hearts superiors Father Christopher Keahi and Sister Helene Wood, the service will include the laying of wreaths before the statue of Damien, a reading of the first place Damien Day student essay, and an excerpt from Aldyth Morris’ play “Damien” interpreted by actor Terence Knapp.

Also part of the program will be dancing by students from SacredHeartsAcademy, a performance by the Damien Memorial School Band, and a tribute to Blessed Marianne Cope.

Students from a number of Catholic grade schools and high schools will be there. Bishop Larry Silva will participate.

After the activities at the statue are finished, the participants will walk two blocks Ewa to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace for Mass at 10:30 celebrated by Bishop Silva. The liturgy will debut a new musical Mass written in honor of Blessed Damien. (See story below.)

The Damien Day Planning Committee sponsored an essay contest for students in grades seven and eight with the theme “The heroism of Father Damien.” The first place winner will receive $100. Second place earns $50 and third place gets $25.

Damien Memorial School , the only major diocesan facility named after the Belgian priest, will continue its commemoration with a school liturgy on May 11 and a day off on Monday, May 14. The school combines tributes to both Father Damien and Blessed Edmund Rice, the founder of the Christian Brothers who established the school, calling their very own holiday “Patron’s Day.”