Father Damien, born Jozef de Veuster on January 3, 1840, in Belgium, is best known for his missionary work on the Hawaiian island of Molokia. The remote island, also known as the Leprocy colony, is located on the Kalaupapa peninsula. When Damien arrived on Molokia in the 1870s, 8,000 people afflicted with leprosy had been banished there along with their families. He spent his time ministering to them and trying to alleviate suffering, eventually contracting and dying of the disease himself on April 15, 1889.time and date.com: Father Damien Day in United States

On Saturday, February 21, 2009, the Vatican confirmed that Rev. Damien de Veuster, a 19th century priest who administered to leprosy patients in Hawaii, will be declared a saint. His work with the disease began in the 1870s on Kalaupapa peninsula, a remote island where 8,000 people with leprosy were banished during an epidemic. He tended to the sick until he eventually contracted and died of the disease himself in 1889. The canonization will take place on October 11, 2009.USA Today: 19th century priest to become a saint (February 20, 2009)