Saint’s story told in Christian hope booklet for NZ homes

The Hope for All – Life Beyond Limitations booklet is produced by the Hope Project, which is connected to 1000 pastors and churches across New Zealand.

Hope Project media efforts had their origin in the united celebrations in 2014 marking the bicentenary of Chief Ruatara’s invitation to the Rev. Samuel Marsden to bring the Christian message – among other teachings and trades – to his people here in New Zealand.

The 2026 booklet features modern testimony and summaries of the lives of figures from history, among them St Damien, who served for 16 years at a leper colony on the island of Molokai in Hawaii.

“Damien cleaned and built houses, created the first water supply directly to the village and organised general care,” the booklet stated. “He established a dump and a cemetery – but equally importantly, he preached about a God of love who can offer an eternal hope beyond our sufferings. Residents began to find motivation to live differently.

“The colony was transformed – while Damien contracted leprosy. He died 16 years after his arrival, still living among those he served,” the booklet story finished.

St Damien was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

The Hope Project says it shares “stories of hope and faith from both past and present, with the desire that together we continue to make New Zealand a more hope-filled place”.

The project website has a digital map which people can use to find a church. Website links for churches pop up over some evangelical or Baptist churches, and churches generally are marked with a cross.

Links are also provided to a wider selection of churches, including the Catholic Church, for which the link listed connects to the bishops’ conference website.

FULL STORY

Hope for all Booklet 11 – LIFE BEYOND LIMITATIONS (Hope Project NZ)

Welcome to Hope Project NZ

All Together NZ | 2026 Hope Project

Saint Damien of Molokai | Biography, Leprosy, Feast Day, & Facts (Britannica)