DE VEUSTER, DAMIAAN. - Born at Tremeloo (Belgium) on 3 Jan. 1840. He entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts (known as Picpus) and left in Oct. 1863 for the Sandwich Islands.
At the beginning of May 1873 he obtained from Bishop Mgr. Maigret permission to share the wretched lot of the lepers at Molokai. He arrived there on 10 May 1873 at the age of 33 and displayed admirable zeal, devoting himself entirely to his 800 unfortunate charges. Driven to despair, they gave themselves over to the most shameful vices, disregarding every divine and human law.
The unceasing efforts of the tireless Fr. D. V. transformed the hell of Molokai into a paradise of peace and Christian resignation.
Deprived of everything and stricken with leprosy, which had overcome his robust constitution, Fr. D. V. died on 15 Apr. 1889. His remains were brought back to his native land in May 1936, amid universal admiration for his heroism. The cause for his beatification is under way.