Blessed Damien to be Canonized

The Vatican announced that final approval would be given Feb. 21 for the canonization of Blessed Damien de Veuster, a Belgian-born missionary priest who served patients with Hansen's disease on the Hawaiian island of Molokai more than a century ago. Pope Benedict XVI authorized the publication of a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Damien last July, clearing the way for his canonization. The Vatican said Feb. 16 that an "ordinary public consistory" -- a meeting of the pope with cardinals resident in Rome and invited bishops and other dignitaries -- would be held Feb. 21 to finalize the approval of 10 canonizations, including Blessed Damien's. The dates for the canonization ceremonies are expected to be announced shortly after the consistory. Blessed Damien was a 19th-century missionary, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Born in 1840, he spent the last 16 years of his life caring for patients with Hansen's disease, or leprosy, on Molokai. He died in 1889 and was beatified in 1995.