St. Marianne Cope

St. Marianne Cope, born Barbara Koob on January 23, 1838, in Heppenheim, Germany, immigrated to the United States with her family at a young age and settled in Utica, New York. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse in 1862, taking the name Marianne. Initially, she worked as a teacher and principal, but soon transitioned into medical administration, helping establish two of the first Catholic hospitals in central New York. In 1883, she led a group of sisters to Hawaii to care for leprosy patients, managing the Kaka'ako Branch Hospital and later dedicating herself to the leper colony on Molokai. Her work there introduced cleanliness, pride, and joy to the community. Despite direct contact with patients, she never contracted the disease. Marianne's dedication earned her the Royal Order of Kapiolani and recognition from Robert Louis Stevenson. She passed away on August 9, 1918. Her path to sainthood began with beatification in 2005, followed by canonization on October 21, 2012, alongside Kateri Tekakwitha. As the first Franciscan woman from North America to be canonized, St. Marianne Cope is celebrated for her fearless leadership and compassionate care, leaving a lasting legacy in healthcare and missionary work.