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Oil Dedicated to St Damien of Molokai (Patron invoked against Leprosy)

Oil Dedicated to St Damien of Molokai (Patron invoked against Leprosy) from A Blessed Call To Love, Ireland.

Saint Damien of Molokai, born Jozef De Veuster in 1840 in Belgium, was a Roman Catholic missionary who dedicated his life to serving people afflicted with Hansen’s disease (leprosy). At the age of 19, he joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and took the name Damien.

In 1873, Damien volunteered to go to the Hawaiian island of Molokai, where he found a community of people suffering from leprosy, isolated and neglected. Damien provided spiritual, medical, and emotional support to them, working tirelessly to improve their living conditions. He built homes, a church, and schools, transforming the colony into a caring community.

Despite the risks of contracting leprosy himself, Damien continued his selfless service, even after he was diagnosed with the disease in 1885. He cared for the sick until his death in 1889, at the age of 49. His unwavering dedication and sacrifice earned him the nickname “The Apostle of the Lepers.”

Saint Damien’s legacy lives on as a symbol of compassion, love, and devotion to the marginalized. He canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2009, recognizing his profound impact on the lives of those suffering from leprosy and his embodiment of Christ’s teachings of love and service to others. Saint Damien’s life story continues to inspire people worldwide to selflessly serve those in need.

Prayer:

St. Damien, we turn to you with gratitude and hope, seeking your intercession for those afflicted by leprosy. Like you, who selflessly cared for those suffering from this ailment, inspire us to extend compassion and support to those in need. May your guiding spirit bring comfort and healing to those affected, and may their journey marked by resilience and hope. St. Damien, be a source of solace and support for all who face the challenges of leprosy. And may your prayers bring about the healing grace of God. Amen.

Scripture:

“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing. You can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”

Matthew 8:2-3