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Sunday is the anniversary of the day when the Belgian priest first set foot on the island of Molokai. It is also the father’s feast day.
In the nineteenth century Father Damian cared for the lepers of the Hawaiian island of Molokai and finally also succumbed to the disease.
Father Damian is being canonised at a ceremony in Rome on 11 October.
Belgians elected Father Damian as the country’s "Greatest Belgian".
The Flemish priest is being canonised in recognition of his work among the lepers.
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