Every time I read something like this I am reminded of the OPPOSITE, St. Fr. Damien of Hawaii.
He knew that if he went to the Kaluapapa Peninsula on Molokai to minister to the lepers, he would not be able to return to Honolulu, as the law at the time put the Leper Colony under strict quarantine.
Yet, he did go, and contracted the disease. He died among the people he willingly went to serve.
We now know that Hanson’s Disease (Leprosy) is not nearly as communicable as was thought at the time. However, based upon the state of medicine in the 19th Century and the limited knowledge of the disease, Fr. Damien knew what he was getting into and did it anyway.
And THAT’s why he has been canonized as a Saint in the Catholic Church.
I have no doubt that he is indeed a saint in heaven and right now is enjoying life everlasting in the presence of God. (I am an Evangelical, BTW)
Even if he had never been officially canonized, he is beloved of the Hawaiian People, and everybody remembers and loves him.
And THAT, my FRiends, is what Real Charitible Medical Missionary Work really looks like.
JMO.
Beautiful story. I’ve been there a few times.
That’s not true, he came back to honolulu July 10th 1886 a couple years after he was infected and was treated there for Leprosy by Dr. Masanao Goto
page 160
Amazing, isn’t it? The selflessness and the bravery alone, but to literally sacrifice himself so willingly like that, that is amazing and worth a sainthood.