In honor of Blessed Damien, the Damien Day Planning Committee sponsored an essay contest this year for seventh and eighth graders with the theme “The heroism of Father Damien.” The top three essays winners were recognized at the Damien Day gathering at the State Capitol on May 10, and first place winner Caitlin Arde, an Our Lady of Perpetual Help eighth grader, read her essay to the crowd. Monetary awards of $100, $50 and $25 were given to the first, second and third place winners respectively. Here are the top three essays.

First Place: Caitlin Arde, eighth grade, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Ewa Beach

Damien: His Unending Love and Care

Blessed Father Damien is one of the greatest heroes that I have read about. Throughout his life, his main focal point was to carry out the Lord’s will in spite of the circumstances that may have prevented him from doing so. This was significant because it showed us that we are capable of changing other peoples’ perspectives. Damien stood up for those who were looked down upon. The patients on Molokai at the time were constantly abused, verbally, as well as physically, but Damien pushed past the notion of their isolation and embraced them with his whole heart. God would have done so; therefore he knew it must be done.

Damien was a true hero because of his unending love and care for others. Today, we are called to do the same by God. It is up to us whether or not we choose to answer that call. We soon realize that it would be much more peaceful if we lived in a place that was free of prejudice and hatred. Personally, Damien’s heroism relates to me because I am constantly tested on my faithfulness to God. I try to be like him, helping those in need, and proving, by my actions, that those who are against my beliefs are wrong. Discrimination is not the answer; we are all the same.

Father Damien is a hero to me because of his contribution to the welfare of the meek. Not very many people dedicate their whole lives to a specific cause and stick to it. Damien spread the love of the Lord to the patients, not caring that he would soon catch the disease, as long as his spirit was satisfied. He eventually died, but he was happy that he had done what God intended. I think that this is one of the best characteristics anyone could have.

My life has been touched by this remarkable man because I have learned of what children of God are destined to do. I am awed at what Blessed Damien did for the people of his time. After giving up his life for God and for others, I know that everyone who considers themselves a child of God can do the same. Our lives are meaningful in a way that we are able to change things for the better. Now I know for sure that I will strive to fulfill God’s needs and love each other all the same, as Blessed Damien did.

Second Place: Nathaniel Cox, seventh grade, St. Ann’s Model Schools

The Heroism of Father Damien

Father Damien is a shinning example of sympathy, courage, and of a Christ-like figure. As a missionary, Father Damien spent time tending to the neglected patients of Kalawao and Kalaupapa. At the time, the Hawaiian government was facing a hard decision. About 100 years prior to Damien’s arrival, Hawaiians were dying of measles, cholera, typhus, and even colds, which killed about 90 percent of the people. This caused a panic for the government, for they worried about the terrible disease of leprosy; when leprosy broke out in Hawaii. The government, in fit panic, decided to ship the disease infected Hawaiians to segregated communities on Molokai.

Today, people around the world know much of Father Damien’s legacy because of his work in the islands. Father Damien did something that many of us in the world today would not and may never do, he took time to care for those who were less fortunate than him. Father Damien sacrificed his life to save others. That is a hero to me. He to me, and hopefully everyone, is an example of faith and Christ. Because of him the people of Kalawao and Kalaupapa could live easier knowing that someone was there for them and, I believe, he still is. Not only did he pray for them, but he did things for them that many of the patients couldn’t. He built them a church called St. Philomena Church in Kalawao. That church brought something that the people probably never had, joy. Damien held mass and gave the people a time for celebration and hope for the future.

Father Damien gives me hope, for everyone and for everything. He taught me that everyone is equal, no matter their skin color or disease. He to me is an example of what everyone is capable of achieving in life. He had a big obstacle in his life and even though it was a very morbid and solemn time for him, he turned it around and made it into something so optimistic and not just for him but for everyone around him and for everyone in the future.

My life has been touched by Father Damien because he is my role model. He is everything I would like to achieve in my lifetime. In a situation God gives to me I think to myself, what would Blessed Damien do? He reminds me of Jesus. Father Damien loved everyone. Even though I am far away from Damien I feel that I still have him in my heart. I hope Damien will soon be bestowed upon the glorious title of a saint by our Catholic Church because he truly is an example of the Aloha spirit. Even to this day, Father Damien’s legacy still provides the hope and inspiration to the few surviving patients who live in Kalawao and Kalaupapa.

“His cassock was worn and faded, his hair tumbled like a school-boy’s, his hands stained and hardened by toil; but the glow of health was in his face, the buoyancy of youth in his manner; while his ringing laugh, his ready sympathy, and his inspiring magnetism told of one who in any sphere might do noble work, and who in that which he has chosen is doing the noblest of all work. This was Father Damien.”  —Charles Warren Stoddard, who visited Kalawao in 1884

Third Place: Jerrica Maghamil, eighth grade, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Ewa Beach

A Man of Honor

Blessed Damien was a man of great honor who dedicated his life to God and the people for whom he cared. His heroic selflessness to serve God drove him to care for those with leprosy. He was a hero in many people’s eyes by accepting and taking on the challenge to help those who lived in Kalawao. His dedication towards others and determination to follow Christ was the nature of Damien’s heroism. His courage to go forth to take the risk for those with leprosy was not a problem to him. He established a companionship with them while washing their bodies, anointing his patients, and helping them live at ease with their many discomforts.

Damien’s nature applies in our world today through the works and actions of the people of God. His actions taught us to accept those who may be different and give them the respect that they deserve. It changes our outlook and challenges us to step back and not to judge anyone, but rather to be there for them. Blessed Damien’s nature applies to me through allowing others to be a part of my journey through life. He opened my eyes to see what dedication and courage it took to help and change many lives.Blessed Damien is a hero to me because he showed us a reflection of God’s love toward us.

His devotion to care for others and the commitment to follow through with his plans established a sense of a life-giving person. He showed me to follow the will of God and never let things stand in the way of being a part of something great. My life has been touched through the actions that he has portrayed to show me that I can have a big impact in other people’s lives.