(submitted by Damien O’Conner)
Aloha and thank you for reading this blog entry about St. Damien. The ways in which he has interceded for me through countless experiences and signs has opened my eyes to the entire Communion of Saints. They are eagerly waiting to intercede for us. In a sense, it’s their “job” and they are never too busy to help us. And as they are in heaven, their responses are purely based in love and they can’t help but to express that love to us. We need to simply open our eyes and hearts to the ways in which they communicate with us. The only way to do this is to be people of daily prayer. Prayer let’s the Holy Spirit in and we can then see God at work, even when it’s through a distressing disguise. Without prayer, we often miss God’s signs all around us.
In 2009 when I found out that my mother and I would be traveling to Rome for St. Damien’s Canonization, I knew that I should keep a journal of everything that took place. In the first entry from October 7, I wrote the following:
It is surreal that in 24 hours I will be in Italy for Fr. Damien’s Canonization! I plan to soak it all in and to completely surrender to God’s plan. Thus far I am in awe of His generous gifts of encounters and moments in which Fr. Damien is the medium. Truly too many to mention and even recall. Enough to say that I am certain God has blessed me abundantly! Dear Lord, may I be completely open to your blessings and surrender every moment (from this point on) to you.
It was the next day, Thursday, October 8 that we all headed to the airport and I received an email from the diocese I was working for. The email had my new paycheck notification. I had recently been promoted to an Interim Director position and as a result, they gave me a little extra stipend. This day, the day we were leaving for Rome…I found out my new paycheck was $1889. Also, the year St. Damien died.
Our trip started in Venice, Italy for a few days. After we finished our breakfast on our first day, I walked down to a church nearby called St. Mary of Nazareth to say a few prayers. When I returned to the hotel, I was approached by a man named Damien who clearly had special needs. We spoke for a few minutes and when he found out that I went to the church, he asked if I would take him there also. I happily agreed and was honestly deeply moved. Two of my children have autism and it was wonderful, and quite frankly incredible, to assist someone on this trip who has developmental disabilities named Damien.
The next few days were spent with many Sacred Hearts Fathers of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC.s), many of whom shared their own personal devotions to St. Damien. Needless to say, this was very special and a blessing. My great uncle, Fr. Edward P. Callens, SS.CC. was the last Sacred Hearts Father sent to the missions from Belgium. He was my mother’s uncle and throughout my whole life, we have felt like part of their “family.” So, when we received an unexpected invitation to attend a private reception after the Canonization for all the Sacred Hearts Fathers from around the world, we were thrilled and honored.
The day of the Canonization, some of us left very early to get to St. Peter’s Basilica. There were tens of thousands of people waiting to get in. I told my mom, “When they open these gates, do not let go of me. We are going to push through the crowd like the nuns do and get into St. Peter’s.” We laughed about this many times after the trip because she thought I was crazy when I gave her those instructions…then she saw how several lines of nuns link each other’s arms and push through the crowd. If you’ve been to a Canonization in Rome, you know what I am talking about. Despite my determination, I’m quite certain St. Damien helped us. Mom and I not only got into St. Peter’s Basilica, but we were approximately 150’ away from the Holy Father on the left side.
The ceremony was 3 – 4 hours long and we were standing the entire time and literally could not move. There was a point in which my back was in excruciating pain. Rather than admit that I couldn’t handle the pain anymore, I saw a spot (pretty far away) in which people could sit. I shamelessly encouraged my mom to go over there to rest and that I would join her. She, looked over her shoulder at me, gave that stern Belgian look, and simply said, “No.”
Finally, it was time for the consecration during the Mass and I slowly knelt on the floor. I began to sob, not only from the relief of moving but I was overwhelmed by thoughts of how St. Damien found tremendous strength and relief from the Eucharist. A small example, but it was through suffering that I experienced God’s love and St. Damien’s presence.
When the Canonization was over, we were surprised to hear that all those inside the Basilica had to wait at least 20 minutes before leaving. We realized later that the Holy Father went out to St. Peter’s Square to offer the crowd (of thousands) a blessing. While we waited, my mother heard some people talking next to her in Flemish. This is a language spoken in northern Belgium and was St. Damien’s first language. Although it certainly was not unusual to have people from Belgium at the Canonization, I remember thinking it was nice that we were standing right next to them amidst thousands and thousands of people from around the world in attendance. There were also three other people canonized Saints in the ceremony.
Nonetheless my mom calls out to me with great enthusiasm to meet them. I was completely shocked to learn that they were relatives of St. Damien. We spoke for several minutes, took a picture together and then departed. I was speechless. What were the chances?
Damien O’Connor with St. Damien’s family Oct. 9, 2009
The next day we went to a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. There were several bishops and many Sacred Hearts Fathers concelebrating. The music was beautifully led by a Hawaiian choir. During the recessional, Bishop Larry Silva processed out with the relic of St. Damien that he brought back to Hawaii.
My mother wept as Bishop Silva passed us just inches away, and I was bursting with gratitude for my friend, St. Damien.
Written and submitted on May 21, 2020.
Feast of the Ascension and the anniversary of St. Damien’s ordination to the priesthood
Our guest blogger, Damien O’Connor is the Senior Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation at KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPREME COUNCIL Milford, Connecticut
Damien has studied the life of St. Damien throughout his life and has been the recipient of countless blessings attributed to his intercession. Damien passionately believes that we all must put our faith into action and that by surrendering our lives completely to God, we will know a joy that cannot be measured. Damien and his family lives in Connecticut although his favorite place to visit is Molokai.