Saint Marianne Cope

Mother Marianne Cope was the superior general of her Franciscan congregation when she received a letter from the king of Hawaii pleading for religious to help care for the lepers. With six of her sisters, she sailed to Hawaii. They tirelessly founded hospitals, instituted medical reform, and cared for the orphan children of lepers. Finally, she went to Moloka'i where she befriended Saint Damien and served the exiled leper colony there.

Feast Day: January 23

Patronage: Lepers, Outcasts, Those With HIV/Aids