Sisters of St. Francis led the way in isle health care

By Bob Sigall

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 25, 2011

~~<p>In the 1860s, Hansen's disease -- then known as leprosy -- was rampant in the Hawaiian islands. When Father Damien de Veuster heard that there was no religious leader at the colony on Molokai for those with the disease, he volunteered, and in 1873 started his mission.</p>
<p>He soon realized he needed help caring for the people there and asked the Catholic bishop to find him some assistants, but none of the sisters in Honolulu would go.</p>
~~

In the 1860s, Hansen's disease -- then known as leprosy -- was rampant in the Hawaiian islands. When Father Damien de Veuster heard that there was no religious leader at the colony on Molokai for those with the disease, he volunteered, and in 1873 started his mission.

He soon realized he needed help caring for the people there and asked the Catholic bishop to find him some assistants, but none of the sisters in Honolulu would go. Login for more...