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DAMIEN-SCOUTS Oct-20-2009 (380 words) xxxi
Hawaiian Boy Scouts travel the world for St. Damien
By Gustavo Solis
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A troop of Hawaiian Boy Scouts traveled more than 7,000 miles to witness the canonization of their beloved St. Damien de Veuster, documenting their experiences in order to share them with the world.
The Scouts visited Belgium, France and Rome during their two-week trip to Europe in October. They met with different admirers of St. Damien, the 19th-century Belgian missionary who ministered to people with leprosy in Hawaii before dying of the disease, and visited a number of holy sites linked to his life. Scoutmaster John Fielding, who planned the pilgrimage, described the trip as a "one-of-a-kind experience."
In Belgium, the Scouts met St. Damien's great-grandnephew. During the emotional meeting, Jan Jozef Damiaan de Veuster sobbed after a Scout representative presented him and his family with gifts. The Scouts visited St. Damien's crypt in Leuven, where they prayed the rosary and attended a special Mass.
Between Belgium and Rome, the group made a one-day stop in Paris. There they visited the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.
"People see us in our uniforms and say that they've watched our videos online," said Chris Nishijima, senior patrol leader. Other Scouts mentioned that people of many different countries have seen their online postings.
While in Rome the St. Damien Scouts attended a papal audience, met with local Boy Scouts and witnessed the Oct. 11 canonization, the trip's big event. The nine Scouts and their four adult supervisors sat among thousands in a crowded St. Peter's Square in a section full of Hawaiian pilgrims.
"We want the Scouts to represent the youth of Hawaii," Fielding said. Although most of the Hawaiian pilgrims were adults, St. Damien touches the lives of many young Hawaiians. One of the Scouts attends Damien Memorial High School, named after St. Damien.
The Scouts prepared for months for their pilgrimage, taking classes in journalism, photography and language, and raising more than $30,000. The Boy Scouts of America recognized their hard work by awarding them the Ad Altare Dei Medal, a religious award.
Nishijima said he hopes their postings will "show people what we believe in."
The St. Damien Boy Scouts' postings are available online at stdamienboyscouts.wordpress.com and their progress can be followed online at facebook.com under Damien de Veuster.
END
Copyright (c) 2009 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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