Damien of Tremelo
Damien is inextricably linked to Tremelo. In Ninde, a hamlet of Tremelo, he was born as Jozef (Jef) De Veuster on the 3rd of January 1840. He grew up there, went to school in the neighbouring village of Werchter and worked on his parents' farm. Damien's birthplace is part of the new Damien Museum and you can still visit it today.
Damien Religious, Priest and Missionary
Jef does not follow in his parents' footsteps. He does not become a farmer or a grain merchant but chooses a life as a missionary. Like his brother, he joins the Sacred Heart Fathers in Leuven. A new life and a new name: Damien. At the age of 23, he travels to the Hawaiian Islands and starts his mission in faraway places with new cultures. Damiaan does not get caught up in his prejudices, gets to know Hawaii and the Hawaiians better and goes one step further. Voluntarily, on 10 May 1873, he sets off for the island of Molokai, where the real journey begins.
Damien and the People of Molokai
On Molokai, Damien's strength as a bridge builder comes to the foreground. He is a religiously inspired development helper and human rights activist avant la lettre. Based on his faith, he is committed to helping people who are excluded just because of their illness. Together with them, he builds a community. A community in which no one is left out. For Damien, every human life was worth living. In this way, he embodied the fundamental Hawaiian values of family and community (ohana), of attention and care for each other (malama pono), of love and connectedness across borders (aloha).
Damien Inspires
Damien died on 15 April 1889 on Molokai, where he was also first buried. In 1936, he was given a new resting place in St Anthony's Chapel in Leuven, where you can still visit his grave today. Damien, however, is alive and kicking. His commitment and solidarity continue to fascinate and inspire across borders of origin, skin colour, orientation, disability, religion and outlook. In Damian's footsteps, numerous people and organisations dedicate themselves to people in need, for a just and humane world. The Belgian NGO 'Damiaanactie' wants to make a difference worldwide in the fight against leprosy and tuberculosis. A fight that 'Damiaanactie' tackles together with others, because ultimately there is a Damien in every one of us.
