Origin

Michael Damien was born and raised in Chicago, a city known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and deep religious roots. From a young age, Damien felt a strong calling to the church, drawn by a desire to serve others and make a difference in his community. His early life was steeped in Catholic tradition, and by the time he was a teenager, he knew that he wanted to dedicate his life to the priesthood.

After completing his theological studies and ordination, Fr. Damien began his ministry as a Catholic priest. He served diligently, becoming known for his compassionate nature, powerful sermons, and unwavering commitment to helping those in need. However, as the years went by, Damien became increasingly disillusioned with the institutional corruption he witnessed within the Catholic Church. He saw decisions motivated more by politics and power than by faith and morality, which deeply troubled him. The more he tried to address these issues, the more he found himself marginalized and silenced.

Eventually, Damien could no longer reconcile his personal convictions with the direction of the church he once loved. After much prayer and contemplation, he made the difficult decision to leave the Catholic Church, a choice that brought both relief and sorrow. It was a turning point in his life, one that would lead him down a new spiritual path.

Following his departure from the Catholic Church, Damien felt lost but not defeated. His faith in God remained unshaken, and he was determined to continue his ministry, albeit in a different form. After studying various Christian denominations, he was drawn to the Baptist tradition, particularly its emphasis on personal faith, community involvement, and the autonomy of local congregations.

With renewed purpose, Damien became a Baptist minister and founded Praise Him Outreach, a small church and outreach program in Chicago. His mission was simple yet profound: to serve the spiritual and physical needs of the community, especially those who had been overlooked or abandoned by society. The church quickly became a beacon of hope in the neighborhood, known for its open doors, warm welcome, and tireless efforts to help the poor, the homeless, and the downtrodden.

Michael Damien's commitment to speaking the truth, regardless of the consequences, eventually led to a confrontation that would alter the course of his life and ministry. Hanover Blake, after students from her college class came to him because they had been using a Ouija board after she had taught them about it. After destroying the board, the conflict between Damien and Blake came to a head during a heated argument in her class where Damien publicly criticized what he considered unethical and demonic practices, accusing her of exploiting her students. While the college was open to keeping her, the altercation quickly became public, and Damien’s words resonated with many, they had severe repercussions for Blake causing her to be fired.

Blake, furious and humiliated, vowed revenge. Not long after, in the dead of night, Praise Him Outreach was set ablaze. The fire consumed the small church, reducing it to ashes and leaving the congregation devastated. The loss was a heavy blow to Damien, who saw the church not just as a place of worship but as a sanctuary for the community. Since there was no direct evidence linking Blake to the arson, it left many in shock with no church home.

Story Arcs

Pastor Damien was only seen in the variations of Epitaph Bread and Salt: Beginning of the End #1 destroying the Ouija board Hanover's students brought to him and confronting Hanover, in her retelling of her conflict with him.

Powers

Pastor Michael Damien, a man of unwavering faith and deep spirituality, has developed extraordinary abilities through years of prayer and meditation. His strong connection to the divine grants him a heightened sense of intuition, allowing him to sense danger before it manifests and perceive the true intentions of those around him. This sixth sense, honed through his disciplined spiritual practices, often guides him in making decisions that protect both himself and his congregation. He also seems to be able to influence the likelihood of events, tipping the scales in favor of outcomes that align with his righteous intentions. Additionally, Damien's past experience as a Catholic priest has endowed him with the sacred knowledge of exorcism. His ability to perform the rite of exorcism with profound authority makes him a formidable force against dark and malevolent entities. Armed with his faith, wisdom, and these unique gifts, Pastor Damien continues his mission to serve and protect, standing as a spiritual guardian in a world fraught with unseen dangers.