Saint Marianne Cope

Saint Marianne Cope was a Catholic sister who cared for people who were very sick. She was born in Germany in 1838, but her family moved to the United States when she was a baby. They lived in upstate New York. She worked hard to help her family and later joined a group of religious sisters.

She became a Sister of St. Francis. She helped run hospitals and schools in New York. She was kind and smart. She cared for people who were poor and sick. Many people trusted her.

In 1883, she got a letter asking for help in Hawaii. People there had a disease called leprosy, now called Hansen’s disease. They were sent away to live alone on the island of Molokai. Many were afraid to help them. But Sister Marianne said yes.

She went to Hawaii with six other sisters. She stayed there for the rest of her life. She helped people who had no one else. She gave them clean homes, food, and care. She treated them with respect.

She also helped Saint Damien, a priest who served the lepers and later got sick himself. Sister Marianne cared for him until he died. After that, she took over his work. She helped many people feel loved and safe.

Saint Marianne died in 1918. People remembered her for her kindness and strength. The Church later named her a saint. Her life is an example of love and service.

Marianne Cope was born in Germany in 1838. Her birth name was Barbara Koob. When she was just a baby, her family moved to the United States. They settled in Utica, New York. Her parents wanted a better life and more chances for their children.

Barbara was the oldest child in the family. She had many younger brothers and sisters. When her father got very sick, she had to help support the family. She worked in a factory for several years. She gave up school to take care of her home and help her parents.

Even while working, Barbara stayed close to God. She often prayed and went to church. She wanted to become a sister, but she waited until her family was stable. After her father died and her younger siblings were older, she followed her dream.

In 1862, she joined the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, New York. She took the name Sister Marianne. She was happy to live a life of prayer and service. She wanted to help others and live simply.

She quickly became a leader in her religious community. People saw that she was strong, calm, and wise. She worked hard and took on many duties. Sister Marianne was ready to go wherever God called her.

After Sister Marianne joined the Sisters of St. Francis, she started working in schools. She taught children and helped run Catholic schools in New York. She was a good teacher and cared about each student. She wanted them to learn and grow in faith.

Soon, she was asked to help with hospitals. At that time, many hospitals did not care well for the poor or for people with serious illnesses. Sister Marianne worked to change that. She helped open St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica. It was one of the first hospitals in the area open to all people, no matter their background or illness.

Later, she helped run St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. She became the leader of her religious community. Under her leadership, the sisters started more hospitals and schools. She trained nurses and worked closely with doctors. She made sure that the sick were treated with kindness and respect.

Sister Marianne believed every person should be cared for with dignity. She welcomed people that others rejected. She was not afraid of hard work. Her work in New York helped many people. It also prepared her for what was coming next. A letter from Hawaii would soon change her life.

In 1883, Sister Marianne got a letter from Hawaii. Church leaders there were asking for help. Many people had Hansen’s disease, also called leprosy. They were sent to live alone on the island of Molokai. Most people were afraid to go near them. The sick were suffering and felt forgotten.

Sister Marianne did not wait long. She said yes right away. She and six other sisters sailed to Hawaii. At first, they worked in a hospital in Honolulu. They cared for women and girls with the disease. Sister Marianne made sure the hospital was clean and safe. She treated every person with kindness.

After a few years, she went to Molokai. She took over the work of Saint Damien, a priest who had helped the lepers for many years. He had gotten sick and died. Sister Marianne stepped in and made sure the people were still cared for. She ran the home for women and girls and helped improve the living conditions.

She spent over 30 years in Hawaii. She never got sick. She said it was because God was protecting her. The people on Molokai loved her. She gave them hope and helped them live with peace. She did not see them as outcasts. She saw them as brothers and sisters.

Sister Marianne stayed in Hawaii until she died. She never asked to leave. She gave her life to the people there, one day at a time.

Sister Marianne was strong in her faith. She trusted God in every part of her life. She prayed every day and stayed close to Jesus. She did not look for praise or reward. She just wanted to serve.

She was kind to everyone. She treated the sick with care and respect. Even when people had open wounds or smelled bad, she helped them with love. She never looked down on anyone. She believed all people had dignity.

Sister Marianne was also humble. She did not try to be important. She did not talk much about herself. She let her actions speak. Many people saw her peace and calm spirit. She worked hard but never complained.

She also had great courage. She was not afraid to go where others would not go. She stayed with people who were sick and alone. She gave them comfort. She helped them feel human again.

Her love came from her faith. She believed Jesus was present in the poor and the sick. She served them because she saw Jesus in them. This was the center of her life. Simple faith. Quiet service. Strong love.

Sister Marianne died in Hawaii in 1918. She was 80 years old. She had spent over 30 years caring for people with Hansen’s disease. She never asked to go home. She stayed with the people she loved until the end.

After her death, many people said she was a saint. They remembered her kindness, her strong faith, and her service to the sick. Years later, people prayed for her help and some were healed. The Church studied these healings and called them miracles.

In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI made her a saint. The Church said her life showed great faith and love. She was given the title Saint Marianne Cope. Her feast day is January 23. She is the patron saint of lepers, outcasts, and those who care for them.

Saint Marianne’s life still speaks to us today. She reminds us to care for the sick and the poor. She shows us how to treat all people with respect. She teaches us to serve with love, even when it is hard.

She is a special saint for nurses, doctors, and anyone who works in healthcare. She is also a saint for those who feel alone or forgotten. Her life shows that small acts of care can bring light to others.

Mission of Grace: The Story of Saint Marianne Cope

Mission of Grace by Sr. Fran Gangloff tells the story of Saint Marianne Cope, a woman who answered God’s call to care for people with Hansen’s disease in Hawai‘i. In 1883, she left New York and served in hospitals and schools, especially at Kalaupapa on Moloka‘i. She worked with Saint Damien and helped those who were sick and alone. Even when others turned away, she stayed. The book shows her love, courage, and deep faith. She served with respect and care until her death in 1918. In 2012, the Church named her a saint and called her “beloved mother of outcasts.”