Local religious leaders are preparing for the return of Syracuse’s own holy woman a century after her departure.

Mother Marianne Cope, a Sister of St. Francis and native of Syracuse, is now a candidate for the Roman Catholic sainthood. Mother Cope’s body is being exhumed from its grave in Kalaupapa, Hawaii, this week for return to the Sisters of St. Francis north side motherhouse.

‘All of the major hurdles have been cleared. Preparations are going on for her eventual canonization,’ said the Rev. Tim Mulligan, chaplain of Syracuse University’s Alibrandi Catholic Center.

The exhumation, which began Monday, and verification of Mother Cope’s remains is one of the steps required by the Vatican for sainthood. So far, the archeologists have found her skull, crucifix and various remnants of her coffin.

‘Typically, more humid climates, where there are more bacteria, microorganisms and insects are detrimental to preservation,’ said Chris DeCorse, professor of archeology.

Archeologists will search for any physical remnants of the body, which may be very fragmented, as well as any associated articles, DeCorse said.

In addition to the exhumation, there are several other steps before Mother Cope can be canonized. She now holds the title ‘Servant of God,’ a designation meaning that she lived a life worthy of imitation, Mulligan said.

One miracle has also been attributed to Mother Cope and authenticated by physicians’ reports and testimonials, Mulligan said. One more miracle is needed before Mother Cope can be beatified, the last step before canonization.

‘She will be made blessed in a short time,’ Mulligan said. ‘It is only a matter of time before she becomes a saint, but it’s going to happen.’

Mother Cope, born in Syracuse in 1838, joined the Sisters of St. Francis in 1863. In Syracuse, she led the Franciscan community and was also one of the founders of what is now St. Joseph’s Hospital.

In 1883 she moved to the island of Molokai, Hawaii. There she led the community and spent the rest of her life caring for leprosy patients.

‘She was a very powerful woman at a time when women really didn’t do adventurous things. She was really very bold,’ Mulligan said.

Although the saints do not hold as prominent a place in the Catholic Church as they once did, Mother Cope has the potential to be a real messenger of God and the Gospel, Mulligan said.

Four local Franciscan sisters are in Hawaii for the exhumation. They will return with the remains on Feb. 2 for temporary enshrinement and celebrations.

Published on January 25, 2005 at 12:00 pm