Saint Marianne Cope has been a symbol at Saint Francis School for decades. In honor of her 180th Birthday Celebration, Sister Joan of Arc Souza had the privilege of hosting in our Almeida Student Center. Our Most Reverend Clarence “Larry” Silva led the mass of over 100 people in attendance. All came together to share in the love that Saint Marianne Cope created.
Saint Marianne has left a legacy unlike any other. She showed love to those who didn’t have any and brought solace to those in need. While at the celebration, you could feel the love for Saint Marianne radiating off of everyone, from the sisters, to the pastors, to those who just came for the mass. Everyone felt some kind of connection with Saint Marianne. Many students from Saint Francis also attended the mass. Senior Minji Kim says, “It was a beautiful celebration. People came together from all different backgrounds to celebrate their love for her [Mother Marianne].”
It was an experience like no other. To see the happiness on the faces of those who heard the story of Mother Marianne was amazing.
The Franciscan Sisters feel a very strong connection towards Mother Marianne. For many of them, they strive to be the type of person she embodied.
I want to strive to be like her as well. She cared about others unconditionally and was completely selfless. She continuously put others before herself, even if there was the chance that she could get sick as well. None of that mattered to her. All that mattered was helping those in need and spreading the word of God in a positive and loving way.
