“I do not expect a high place in heaven, I will be very grateful to have a small corner where I can love the Lord for all eternity.”
St. Marianne Cope (1838-1918) was born Maria Anna Barbara Koop. She is and has always been a favorite of mine. She is one of 10 (me), from the state of NY (me), had a strong working with relationship with a guy named Damien (my dh is Matthew Damian – named for the saint despite the different spelling). I named by youngest Damian for his Dad and that guy. And that guy Damien was Belgian (as am I, through my own father whose parents both emigrated from Leuven, Belgium). And finally, we both love Hawaii though I’ve never been and probably never will. I hope my heaven has a waterfall like this:
We remember her and her work and love in Wreath V, and her story can be found at numerous places including:
http://www.saintmariannecope.org/index.html
Perhaps today you might remember those suffering from Hansen’s Disease when you say your prayers, ask St. Marianne to inspire vocations from your family and groups or merely remember that God has a heaven waiting for you that will outshine even Hawaii.
