Molokai History:
(from “Pioneers of the Faith: History of the Catholic Mission in Hawaii (1827-1940)” by Robert Schoofs, SS.CC., Sturgis Printing Company, Inc., Honolulu, HI, 1978)
(continued from May 9th)
In Kumueli (Kamalo?), Father Favens, SS.CC. baptized two catechumens. The next day [this was in 1846], while the catechists rounded up Catholics and catechumens, Father Favens pushed on to Naiwa. Darkness fell earlier than he had reckoned, so in order not to lose the trail he decided to pass the night in an abandoned “heiau”. In the morning of December 16, 1846, Father Favens arrived at Naiwa, where in the afternoon he baptized 27 catechumens and heard the confessions of 11 Catholics. The following day we find him descending the steep trail to Kalaupapa. There the priest found 15 Catholics and baptized 37 catechumens. He was so happy that he remained in Kalaupapa for several days. Father Favens had one more stop before leaving Molokai in order to be home for Christmas. He was in Onohuli, where he found a good number of catechumens, 31 of whom he baptized. In the meantime the sea had become turbulent, and Father Favens was forced to linger on until December 28. All these days were days of hard work, but also days of great spiritual joy and encouragement.
(to be continued tomorrow)
Blessings, pono and pule!
Fr. Brian, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai