This is the first in a series of Hawaii Catholic Herald columns leading up to the canonization of Blessed Damien de Veuster which is expected some time this year.

Pope Benedict XVI, since he was elected pope in 2005, has elevated 18 women and men to sainthood — five in 2005, four in 2006, five in 2007 and four in 2008.

All took place on a Sunday in mid-October at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican — except for the canonizations of 2007. That year, Pope Benedict traveled in May to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he canonized Brazilian native Blessed Antonio Galvao, and in June presided over four other canonizations in a single ceremony at St. Peter’s.

• 2008: Oct. 12, four canonized in a single ceremony, St. Peter’s Basilica

So how about Damien? Bishop Larry Silva has told us that Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Mechelen-Brussel, the canonization’s sponsoring diocese, had asked the pope for the canonization to take place at the Vatican in October. That would fit the trend.

Would he be canonized with anyone else? Pope Benedict’s July 3, 2008, proclamation approving a miracle cure due to Blessed Damien’s intercession, listed two other canonization miracles — for Blessed Bernardo Tolomei, (1272-1348), the Italian founder of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation, and Blessed Nuno Alvares Pereira, (1360-1431), a Portuguese professed Carmelite layman. They too await a canonization date. Following the precedent of the past four years would group the three canonizations together.

But which day in October? We say Oct. 18, Mission Sunday. It would be appropriate, for Damien at least, since he was a missionary priest.

When will we know for sure? According to members of the Sacred Hearts Congregation, the announcement may be made during a consistory of cardinals at the Vatican next month.

Prolific Big Island artist Dietrich Varez has a thing for Blessed Damien. Though he does not share the new saint’s Catholicism (Varez is Lutheran), his admiration for the man who sacrificed his life for a banished Hawaiian community seems to know no bounds. Whether through linoleum block prints, serigraphs, oils, or even aloha shirts, Varez continues to depict the priest’s cassocked form in a variety of settings.

One of his latest, a 15-by-20-inch print made available in November, is the one pictured here. It was inspired by the news last July that Blessed Damien’s canonization is imminent.

“I was jumping for joy,” Varez said, “because, after dreaming about this honor being given him at some distant time in the future, I realized it was going to happen in my lifetime. I decided I just had to commemorate this event with a special Damien block print.”

The newsletter goes on to illuminate the meaning behind the graceful cuts and gouges that comprise the work Varez has entitled “Damien of Molokai.”

“Its elaborate border highlights the flower of this island — the cluster of tiny white kukui blossoms. It also pictures the artistically shaped leaves of the tree, and its familiar nuts. Interestingly enough, the kukui nuts symbolize both light and healing, since the kernels were strung together by ancient Hawaiians to make ‘candles’ for lighting their homes, and were also used medicinally. ‘Wonderful image of Damien’ s ministry right there!’ exclaims the artist.”

“At the four corners appear the logo of the Sacred Hearts. ‘We must give credit where credit is due,’ said Varez, recalling that Damien was a missionary priest belonging to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and is an admirable example of the Sacred Hearts charism and spirituality.”

“A book with a cross on its cover is set on a rock, testifying eloquently to Damien’s steadfast persistence in sharing the Good News of God’s love.”

“The pandanus tree, under which Damien slept the first nights he was at Kalawao, and under which he was buried, appears prominently behind the figure of a kneeling helper, its unique roots above ground forming the backdrop for him. How well this tree symbolizes the beginning and the earthly end of Damien’s ministry at the Settlement!”

“Twin heart-shaped taro leaves, which Varez calls ‘nature’s symbols of the Sacred Hearts,’ can be seen against the blanket partly covering the thirsty person sitting on the ground.”

“The impressive far-reaching rays usually associated with the sun (which symbolizes God in previous block prints) now radiate from Damien, revealing the Godliness, the sanctity in him.”

“A hibiscus plant is placed above the figure of the emaciated cripple who holds tightly to his crutch with his right hand. ‘Note the three blossoms in honor of the Blessed Trinity whom Damien is honoring,’ the artist commented.”

“Details aside, the central focus is on the figure of Damien, wearing his characteristic hat and short cape, and exemplifying his tender care for the sick and abandoned. Bending toward the helpless cripple, he is holding a bowl with both hands as he gives him a cooling drink of water. His glance is tenderly towards the one he is assisting as proof of God’s love and his own.”

“No signs of Hansen’s disease appear on the recipient of his charity; instead only the poor man’s withered torso with protruding spine and ribs tell of his miserable condition. He thus represents ‘Everyone Suffering,’ recalling Damien’s title of ‘Servant of Humanity.’

“Varez poignantly shows us both Damien’s compassion and the communion the priest is able to establish with his needy brother by drawing the cripple’s left hand reaching out to touch the hand of his good samaritan. Both children of God, mutually giving and receiving, wish together to support the bowl holding the drink given in His name.”

All admirers of Damien “are indebted to artist Dietrich Varez,” states Me Ka ‘Ohana. “This talented Lutheran’s devotion to Kamiano is an inspiration to us all. In making Damien better known, he makes the Gospel better known. Mahalo nui loa, aikane nui!”

Varez has just completed a newer depiction of Damien, a block print glorifying his status as saint. It will be featured in a future issue of the Hawaii Catholic Herald.

If you’ve ever wanted to pray in Hawaiian the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, or other standard Catholic prayers, you can now do so with the words from a book held in the hands of island Catholics 113 years ago.

The Pacific Province of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts have re-published 15 familiar prayers from a 1893 Hawaiian language “missal” in a slim hand-made 24-page booklet.

The project was the idea, and the labor, of Charlene Alipio, the congregation’s archivist, who printed, trimmed, sewed and glued approximately 800 of the slender volumes for the Sacred Hearts Sisters and Fathers. She estimated it took about an hour and a half to complete each book, from start to finish.

The rounded corners of the parchment-colored pages match those of the stiff navy blue book cover, on which is embossed “Ka Kuleana Pule,” a title Alipio borrowed from the original book.

The 1893 prayer book was titled “Ke Alanui o ka Lani oia Ka Manuele Kakolika” (The Path to Heaven, the Catholic Manual) and published by +Gulekana — Bishop Gulstan Ropert.

In a nod to modern linguistics, Alipio added a second Hawaiian language version, containing diacritical notation, of most of the prayers. Natives of a century ago knew how to speak and read Hawaiian without the help of pronunciation marks, the archivist explained.

The original book was published four years after Blessed Damien died, but he would have been very familiar with its contents. He was fluent in Hawaiian — also, Flemish, French and English.

To order a booklet, please call Donna Aquino at the Hawaii Catholic Herald circulation desk, 585-3321. The price is $5 plus $1 for postage and handling.