Orchestra performance at Kalaupapa

The event was held at the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, which includes the National Historic Landmark site of the Kalaupapa Leper Settlement. People in Hawai‘i afflicted with Hansen's disease (leprosy) were forced into isolation on the remote northern Kalaupapa peninsula from 1866 until 1969, which remains an important chapter in not only the history of Hawai‘i, but the world.

Mother Marianne was canonized Oct. 11. She, along with Father Damien, was devoted to caring for Hansen’s Disease patients until her death in 1918. She is revered for her compassion and humanitarianism.

On Jan. 12, Bishop Larry Silva led a special celebration of this new saint, Saint Marianne, which brought together surviving Hanson's disease patients, Catholic clergy from around the world, including the archbishop of New York and the papal nuncio (the Pope's representative), and many others.

‘Iolani School was represented by a group of orchestra students, who performed before and during the service.

It was a unique opportunity to take part in a rare event -- the creation of a new saint in the Catholic Church -- in a place that is tied to such significant history regarding disease, human suffering and compassion, and the difficult decisions that are made in balancing the needs of the few with those of the many.

The ‘Iolani students were honored to have been invited to participate in the memorable ceremony and appreciated the opportunity to learn first-hand about such an important part of Hawai‘i history.

-- Kathy Hafner

Photos by Eric Schank