Damien and Marianne of Molokai, Priest and leper, and 1889, religious, 1918

                                          Psalm 105:3

Glory 

in God's 

holy 

Name;

let the hearts 

of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

 …help us, 

following their examples, to be bold & loving in con-fronting the incur-able plagues of our time, that your people may live in  

health and hope…   

              -Collect 

Fr Damien, The Apostle to the Lepers on the island of Molokai, himself died of the disease on April 15, 1889, attended by Mother Marianne who continued the work until she died of natural causes on August 9. 1918.  

April 15th is also usually the day that taxes are due in these United States, and nothing being certain but death and taxes, maybe I can get away with sharing this piece of history which I didn’t know until yesterday. The Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln on  January 1, 1863, was preceded on April 16, 1862 by the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. And today DC is celebrating big time (and seeking further emancipation!) Since the IRS  is headquartered in DC, and today is a holiday, taxes are not due until Monday April 18th this year! :-)