Catholics to mark 175th
anniversary of arrival
of missionaries

The first priests to arrive in the
islands were from France and
landed July 7, 1827

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By Mary Adamski
madamski@starbulletin.com

The Honolulu Catholic diocese will hold religious services next week to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in Hawaii.

Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo will preside at noon Masses Monday and Tuesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

A 24-hour prayer vigil will begin in the Fort Street cathedral after the Monday midday liturgy. Delegations from various parishes and several Catholic lay organizations will participate in overnight devotions during the Eucharistic adoration vigil which will end with the Tuesday Mass. A 5:30 p.m. vespers service will be held. All events are open to the public.

"Our diocese wishes to join in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received," said Sister Helene Wood, director of the diocesan Office of Worship.

The first Catholic missionaries, French priests with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, arrived in the islands on July 7, 1827. They dedicated their mission to Our Lady of Peace. July 9 is the date in the liturgical calendar dedicated to Jesus' mother as Queen of Peace.

The Sacred Hearts religious order began its celebration last night with the profession of religious vows by four men who are preparing for ordination to the priesthood and a former mainland priest who is entering the congregation. The Very Rev. Enrique Losada, superior general of the international Sacred Hearts order, presided at the service at St. Patrick Church. Brother Johnathan A. Hurrell made his perpetual profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The Rev. Paul C. Zaccone, and Brothers Gaston A. Gosselin, Anthony W. Rapozo and Allen A. Pacquing made their temporary profession of religious vows.

Priests, brothers and sisters of the Sacred Hearts order have continued to serve in Hawaii throughout the 175 years.

The best known member was Father Damien DeVeuster who served leprosy victims at Kalaupapa for 16 years until he died of the disease in 1889. Pope John Paul II beatified Damien -- the second of three steps to sainthood -- in a 1995 ceremony in Damien's homeland, Belgium.

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