Gazing upon this bronze figure of Father Damien, what do you see? The Father Damien Statue is more than just a monument. It’s a tribute to a life of selfless service. The Father Damien Statue stands here at the entrance to the Hawaii State Capitol. It memorializes a priest who gave everything for the lepers of Molokai.
This Father Damien Statue has a twin. Another bronze cast stands in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol. This statue is in good company. It stands alongside the Kamehameha Statue. Together, they represent Hawaii’s unique heritage.
Father Damien was a Belgian Catholic priest. He lived from 1840 to 1889. He is celebrated as one of Hawaii’s greatest heroes. Pope Benedict XVI canonized him on October 11, 2009.
Look closely at the Father Damien Statue. Notice the details that capture his later years. You can see the disfiguring scars of the disease he contracted while caring for those afflicted. His arm hangs in a sling. These details are important. They remind us of his suffering and sacrifice.
Sixty-six artists competed for the commission to create the Father Damien Statue. Marisol Escobar from New York City won. The commission favored her contemporary design. It stood out from the more traditional submissions. Escobar based her design on a photograph of Father Damien near the end of his life. That is why he wears glasses and has his arm in a sling.
Escobar considered Father Damien’s work as a carpenter. She first created a model in wood. Then she made a plaster model for the bronze cast. But the plaster model broke during shipping to Italy. A second plaster model was lost too. Finally, Escobar sent a wax mold to the foundry.
Interestingly, the Kamehameha Statue also faced travel mishaps. It was lost during travel but later recovered.
The Father Damien Statue was unveiled on Father Damien Day. This was April 15, 1969. Hawaii celebrates Father Damien Day every year. The statue in Honolulu is draped in leis. People sing solemn songs and offer prayers.
Father Damien is the spiritual patron of outcasts. He is also the patron of those with AIDS and HIV. Other statues of Father Damien stand in the United States Capitol. You can also find them in Belgium. They are in Brussels, Leuven, and Tremelo, his birthplace.
Father Damien spent sixteen years on Molokai. He cared for people with leprosy. He eventually died of the disease himself. His sacrifice is a beloved part of Hawaiian history. He is recognized as a hero.
Governor John A. Burns said Father Damien symbolizes the Hawaiian spirit of Aloha. It touches all who come to these islands.
The Hawaiian Senate hoped the Father Damien Statue would impress viewers. They wanted it to show his temperament, character, and greatness. They also wanted it to provide an unforgettable visual experience.
The statue had a difficult journey to completion. Marisol created three molds of her original wood carving. The first plaster mold broke on its way to Italy. The second mold was lost. The final wax mold was used to create two bronze casts. The statue was delayed in New York due to a strike.
In July 2020, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the statue. She said it demonstrated patriarchal and racist biases. But it’s also true that Father Damien is the only saint represented in National Statuary Hall.
Look again at the Father Damien Statue. Notice the holes where his eyes would be behind his glasses. They seem to mirror his otherworldly stare.
The Father Damien Statue stands as a reminder. It honors a man who dedicated his life to serving others. He showed compassion and love in the face of immense suffering. Take a moment to reflect on his legacy. Consider the impact one person can have on the world.