Molokai History:
(taken from “Father Damien’s Letters”, Congregation of the Sacred Hearts SS.CC., Rome, 2017)
Letter dated July 28, 1873 from Fr. Damien at Kalawao to Bishop Maigret:
I have not yet had the time to go out from the leprosarium. The weekly visit of all the sick takes 4 or 5 days morning to evening. Next week, however, I hope to visit again the whole island if my foot, a bit inflamed from a small injury, is healed.
I do not know what is most pressing to be done on the island. The chapel of Kaluaaha is absolutely necessary, but I will not have the time to do it myself. That would demand one long absence from my dying in Kalawao.
If your Excellency should accept the offer of the good Father Aubert, then I could also engage myself in the material things of the island. Have pity, Bishop, on the island of Molokai which, having waited until all the other islands were increasing in terms of chapels and priests, merits that finally you extend a merciful hand.
(to be continued)
Blessings, pono and pule!
Fr. Brian, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai