Hundreds of people crowded into the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace today to celebrate Mass with a relic of St. Damien.

More than 450 packed into the church and hundreds watched on television screens from outside the downtown cathedral, where Damien was ordained in 1864.
“In St. Damien, you gave a light to the people,” said Honolulu Diocese Bishop Larry Silva, during the solemn Mass. “We are called all to be saints. We are called all to be holy.”
The relic — St. Damien’s heel bone — will be permanently placed at the cathedral tonight, after celebrations at Iolani Palace.
Following the Mass, a procession with the relic made it’s way to the palace, where there will be speeches, songs and hula.
The relic was carried inside a koa box. For the Mass, it was placed in front of the altar.
Cora Espiritu, of Honolulu, said she placed her hands on the box after the Mass, as many others did.
“I’m so happy,” she said, closing her eyes for a moment. “I can’t tell you how happy I am.”
Father Damien de Veuster was elevated to sainthood on Oct. 11 by Pope Benedict XVI in a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The relic of Damien was given to Silva in celebration of Damien’s canonization, and since it has been taken to different spots on the Mainland and to the Neighbor Islands so the faithful can honor St. Damien.
Rose Ferreira, of Ewa Beach, touched the relic box after the Mass and could hardly put her emotions into words. “It’s a blessing,” she said, smiling.