Homily Feast of St. Marianne Cope
Homily Feast of St. Marianne Cope
Marianne Cope was born in Germany in 1838. Her family moved the next year to Utica, New York. While she was young her father became seriously ill and she went to work in a factory to support her family. When she was 24 her father died. Her siblings, by that time, were old enough to support themselves, so Marianne decided to chart her own course. She joined the Franciscan Sisters.
There were few health care facilities in the United States, so the sisters began to start hospitals. Sr. Marianne was instrumental in starting the first two Catholic Hospitals in New York City. There were many immigrants who had no health care. Sr. Marianne worked to remedy this situation. She was recognized for her leadership abilities and she became the superior of the order.
In 1883 Sr. Marianne’s life changed dramatically. King Kalakana of Hawaii needed nurses to care for citizens who were suffering from leprosy. He contacted over 60 religious orders. All refused to assist until Sr. Marianne received his letter. She and six of her sisters took the long dangerous trip to Hawaii.
Once she was there, she became a leader on the islands as a health care worker. She established hospitals and was a reformer. Eventually she ended up working on the island of Malakai. She nursed St. Damian de Veuster in his last days as he was dying of leprosy.
St. Marianne worked among the lepers the rest of her life. It was considered a miracle that she never contracted the disease. She died in 1918 exhausted from her many labors, but satisfied that she had served the Lord well.
Reflection Questions:
- St. Marianne was able to set her own needs aside for others at a young age. Why was she able to do that?
- St. Marianne fought for better health care for immigrants and lepers. What am I willing to fight for?
Dear Parishioners,
Remember that our children’s liturgy of the word program will begin again this Sunday at our 9 a.m. Mass. Also, remember that our public-school religion classes begin again tomorrow after the 9 a.m. Mass. It has been a long break and it will be nice that the children are gathering again. The teachers will find it easier as well.
Our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program is also meeting in person again on Tuesday evenings. It is very important for our inquirers to be able to gather for mask-to-mask time as well. I thank everyone for their patience as we have adjusted on the fly.
May Our Lady and all the angels and saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark