Upon arrival at the Oahu Branch Hospital for people with leprosy Mother Marianne Cope witnessed the worst of humanity. The 19th century Hawaiian government had sent men, women and children to the fenced in compound at the first sign of a lesion hinting at the epidemic illness. The people were scarred by open sores and disfigurement. The corrupt administration of the compound left few resources to properly care for the sick or provide a clean, secure living environment. Mother Marianne and five other Franciscan sisters did not flinch.
They cleaned the kitchen layered deep in filth and flies. They separated men from women and children from adults to stop rampant sexual abuse. They tore down fences and painted buildings They simply went to work. They offered dignity. They began to serve.
Marianne Cope was born in Germany. She grew up in Utica. She became a leader of sisters and St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse. She discovered her greatest calling by responding to a call for help for the people with what is now referred to as Hansen's disease. She took a week long train ride from Syracuse to San Francisco and a seasick ridden week long ship ride on the Pacific Ocean to reach the Hawaiian Islands. She never returned to Central New York, but discovered a new home on Molokai in a place called Kalaupapa.
Nearly a century after her passing Mother Marianne Cope is about to Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in the greatest of tributes offered by the Roman Catholic Church. It took the miraculous cure of two women through the prayerful intercession of Mother Marianne for the church to elevate her from Venerable to Blessed to Sainthood.
You may have already started seeing our minute long tributes to her life entitled "A Saint for CNY". That is just the beginning of extensive coverage that will lead up to the Canonization on Sunday, October 21st. We are traveling to the Vatican with Bishop Robert Cunningham of the Diocese of Syracuse who is leading one of several groups of pilgrims to Rome. We are also working with the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Neuman Communities who have carried the cause of Mother Marianne to a remarkably quick path to Sainthood.
For those who do not yet know the story of Saint Marianne you will have plenty of opportunity to learn more in the weeks ahead. Join us for this history making moment for Central New York.
Any questions or comment please forward them to mattsmemo@CNYcentral.com. I may even use some of your thoughts on NBC 3 News at 5:00, the 10:00 News on CW6 or on CNYcentral.com.
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