Marianne Cope

Marianne Cope, OSF

Marianne Cope, OSF, also known as Marianne of Molokaʻi, was a German-born American member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse. She is recognized for her significant contributions to healthcare and her devoted service to those afflicted with leprosy.

Life and Historical Context

Born Barbara Koob on January 23, 1838, in Heppenheim, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Marianne Cope emigrated with her family to Utica, New York, in 1839. As the eldest child, she left school to work in a textile factory to support her family after her father became disabled. After her younger siblings were able to support themselves, Barbara pursued her religious calling and entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis in Syracuse, New York, taking the name Marianne.

By 1870, Cope had become a member of her congregation's governing council. She played a key role in founding the first two Catholic hospitals in Central New York, which were chartered to provide medical care to all individuals regardless of race or creed. From 1870 to 1877, she governed St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, the city's first public hospital, and established a unique contract with Geneva Medical College to allow their students to gain experience treating patients, with the stipulation that patients could refuse care from students.

Call to Hawaii and Ministry

In 1883, Mother Marianne Cope, then Superior General of her congregation, responded to a plea from King Kalākaua of Hawaii for assistance in caring for people with leprosy. Despite the highly contagious nature of the disease, she enthusiastically accepted the mission, stating her desire to minister to the "abandoned 'lepers.'" She departed Syracuse with six other sisters, arriving in Honolulu on November 8, 1883. Their initial task was to manage the Kakaʻako Branch Hospital, a receiving station for Hansen's disease patients, before more severe cases were transferred to Molokaʻi.

In 1884, Cope established Malulani Hospital, the first general hospital on Maui. She also addressed mistreatment of patients at the Kakaʻako hospital, successfully demanding the dismissal of an abusive administrator and taking charge of the overcrowded facility. In 1885, she opened the Kapiolani Home to shelter homeless female children of leprosy patients. In 1887, following a change in government, Cope accepted a call to establish a new home for women and girls on the Kalaupapa peninsula of Molokai, a move that meant she might never return to New York.

Service on Molokaʻi

In November 1888, Marianne moved to the "Charles R Bishop Home for Unprotected Leper Girls and Women" on Kalaupapa. She cared for Father Damien, SS.CC., during his final illness and, after his death on April 15, 1889, took charge of caring for the boys in addition to the girls. She supervised the domestic operations of the homes and ensured the care of the residents. In 1895, after the arrival of Religious Brothers to care for the boys at Baldwin House, the sisters withdrew to the Bishop Home for women and girls.

Legacy and Honors

Marianne Cope died of natural causes on August 9, 1918. Her remains were brought to Syracuse for reinterment in 2005 and later to Honolulu in 2014. She was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on May 14, 2005, and canonized on October 21, 2012. Her feast day is celebrated on January 23. Institutions founded in her memory include Saint Francis Hospital in Honolulu and the Saint Francis School. She was also inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2005. Cope is honored jointly with Saint Damien of Moloka'i on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA).