Father Stephen (Victorian) Van Den Eynde, sscc, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts - United States Province, died peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2012, in Pearl City, Hawaii at the age of 90.
Fr. Stephen was the last surviving Belgian missionary in Hawaii, having arrived on the Island in 1950, just two years after his ordination in 1948. His death brings an historic missionary chapter to a close, following the arrival of hundreds of Belgian brothers who brought the “good news” to the people of the Hawaiian Islands. Fr. Juliaan Vandekerkhove has been informed of Fr. Stephen’s passing and has notified his family in Belgium. As the Provincial of the Belgium Province, Fr. Juliaan extended his sincere sympathies to the US Province as well as his deepest thanks to the SS.CC. Brothers and Sisters in Hawaii who have so warmly received the missionaries throughout the years.
Fr . Stephen was born Etienne Van Den Eynde, in Baal, Belgium, part of the village of Tremelo, the birthplace of St. Damien. He made his first profession to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts on September 13, 1943 and following his arrival in 1950, served his entire religious life in Hawaii as Assistant in various parishes throughout the islands, and as Pastor at Maria Lanakila in Lahaina from 1968 through 1979 and Pastor at St. Michael, Waialua from 1988 through 1991. He retired to St. Patrick Monastery in 1992.
A funeral Mass will be held for Fr. Stephen on Thursday February 23rd at St. Patrick’s in Kaimuki, with viewing beginning at 5:30 PM and Mass at 7:00 PM. Burial will take place at 9:00 AM on Friday, February 24th, at Valley of the Temple. Please keep Fr. Stephen and his family in your prayer. Rest in Peace Fr. Stephen.
02/11/2012