History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 234

Catholicism desperately needed an apostle in the Northwest, and after a seemingly
miraculous recovery, Charles John Seghers was consecrated Bishop of Vancouver
Island on June 29, 1873. Bishop Seghers spent over sixteen months in the
undeveloped frontiers, personally leading expeditions along the coast, among the
Hesquiat and Cauichan Indians.
In 1878 he was recalled from Vancouver to become coadjutor to the Archbishop of
Oregon City. He was elevated to Archbishop on December 12, 1880. The high and
well deserved ecclesiastical honors were the first ever bestowed on a son of the
American College at Leuven. Under his administration a new era dawned for the Faith
in the Northwest. But his heart was still in the missions. In 1885 while attending and
ecclesiastical council, he humbly begged to be sent back to Alaska. His wish was
granted.
Accompanied by Jesuits Tosi and Robout, and a servant, Francis Fuller, he set out for
Alaska in July 1886. Leaving the two priests to care for settlements along the coast,
the beloved prelate and Fuller journeyed into the almost unknown interior. After
months in light canoes on swollen rivers, and arduous mountain climbing, they
reached their destination. Totally committing himself to the work of civilizing the
unfriendly Indians, Bishop Seghers soon became aware of another danger. Fuller,
spent and worn from the journey had become deranged and turned against him. On
November 28, 1886, while resting in a deserted cabin in the Alaskan foothills, Bishop
Seghers was shot through the heart. His body was borne back to a grief stricken
people and his remains rest under the high altar in the Cathedral at Victoria.

This is a statue of Fr. Damien in his home church, O.L. Vrouw Bijstand, in Tremelo.
Click on the picture to see a larger version. There are probably other Web sites
devoted to him but we haven't looked yet.
Joseph DeVeuster was born on January 3, 1840, in Tremelo, about nineteen miles
from Antwerp. His parents, Francis De Veuster, and Anne Catherine Wauters had
eight children of which Joseph was the seventh. Auguste, an older brother who had
joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Picpus Fathers),
persuaded Joseph to follow his example.
On February 2, 1859, Joseph took the religious habit and the religious name:
Damien. When Auguste, now Father Pamphile, was unable to sail for the missions
due to illness, Damien volunteered and received permission to go in his place even
though he was not yet ordained.
Damien arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, March, 1864 and was later ordained on May 21,
1864. He served for eight years as a missionary in Hawaii, the largest of the Hawaiian
Islands. In 1873, he volunteered to go to Molokai to work at the leper settlement.
Subsequently, he was given permission to remain there permanently.

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