Barbara Cope

A German born American immigrant; Barbara Cope began working in a textile factory at 14 to support her family after her father became disabled. She entered the convent after her younger siblings became independent. Barbara became Sister Marianne, a teacher and principal in a school for German immigrants. Appointed to serve on the general council of her order, Marianne founded the 1^st 2 Catholic Hospitals in Central New York, was appointed Superior General of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse and was instrumental in founding the Syracuse University College of Medicine, providing internships at her Hospital.

50 orders declined a request to process lepers in Hawaii, but Marianne now serving her order as Superior General responded to the call writing that: “I am hungry for the work and I wish with all my heart to be one of the chosen ones, whose privilege it will be, to sacrifice themselves for the salvation of the souls of the poor Islanders… I am not afraid of any disease; hence it would be my greatest delight even to minister to the abandoned lepers.” Accompanied by 6 of her sisters, she established a Hospital in Oahu in 1883. A year later, Marianne established the first general hospital on Maui. 2 years later, Cope opened a girls home for the children of leprosy patients. The following year, Marianne built a home for women and girls on Molokai, where she cared for the dying Father Damien. Marianne died of natural causes and was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.