Marianne Cope Catholic nun Date of Birth: 23.01.1838 Country: Germany

1. Marianna Cope, Servant of the Poor
2. Early Life and Vocation
3. Novitiate and Teaching
4. Call to Hawaii
5. Service in Kalaupapa
6. Legacy and Canonization

Marianna Cope, Servant of the Poor

Marianna Cope was a Catholic nun of the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, New York. She is renowned for her charitable work and compassion, particularly her service to leprosy patients on the island of Moloka'i in Hawai'i.

Early Life and Vocation

Born Maria Anna Barbara Koob on January 23, 1838, in Heppenheim, Germany, Marianna immigrated to the United States in 1839. Her family settled in Utica, New York, where she joined the parish of St. Joseph. After completing eight grades of education, Marianna left home to support her family when her father became disabled.

Her father's naturalization as a U.S. citizen in 1853 granted citizenship to his entire family. Upon his death in 1862, Marianna felt free to pursue her vocation, having long yearned for religious service.

Novitiate and Teaching

She became a postulant with the Third Order of the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, New York, and received the habit and the name Marianna a year later. She served as a teacher in a newly established school for German-speaking immigrants. In 1870, she became part of the board of directors for her congregation and helped found the first two Catholic hospitals in central New York, which provided care to all regardless of race or religion.

From 1870 to 1877, Sister Marianna managed St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, the city's first public hospital, and assisted at the College of Medicine in Geneva, New York.

Call to Hawaii

In 1883, Mother Marianne received a request for assistance from King Kalākaua of Hawaii to care for leprosy patients. Over 50 religious institutions had declined, but Mother Marianne eagerly responded. With six sisters, she sailed to Honolulu, arriving on November 8, 1883.

Service in Kalaupapa

Assisted by Mother Marianne Cope, the sisters initially worked at a hospital on O'ahu. When more severe cases of leprosy were sent to Moloka'i, a public hospital was established on Maui. However, the colony at Kalaupapa, established by the Hawaiian government on Moloka'i, required more urgent attention. In November 1888, Mother Marianne arrived at Kalaupapa to aid Father Damien de Veuster, who had been heroically serving there for 15 years.

Mother Marianne not only assisted the dying Father Damien, who contracted leprosy from his patients, but also assumed his responsibilities. After Father Damien's death on April 15, 1889, the government officially entrusted Mother Marianne with the care of the boys at Kalaupapa, in addition to her previous duties with the women. Through private donations and the assistance of sisters, Mother Marianne built a new home, opened a girls' school, and invited the Brothers of the Sacred Heart to care for the boys.

Legacy and Canonization

Mother Marianna Cope passed away on August 9, 1918, at the age of 80. She was buried in the place she had served so selflessly. In 2005, she was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. On October 21, 2012, she was canonized as Saint Marianna Cope, a testament to her extraordinary faith, compassion, and service to the most vulnerable.