An Uncommon Kindness

Narrated by Robin Williams, this outstanding documentary tells the story of the heroic missionary priest, Fr. Damien de Veuster, who followed God's call to serve the outcast leper colony on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, starting in 1873 at the age of 33. Passionate, driven, and the object of baseless criticisms from Protestants and others, Father Damien provided for the material needs of the people (housing, food, medical care) as well as their spiritual needs. He even built their coffins and dug their graves. In 1889 he died there of leprosy. Pope John Paul beatified Father Damien. This film is beautifully produced, and a powerful story of the remarkable charity, humility, faith and courage of Fr. Damien.