A sainted nun blessed Hawaii with her service

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 18, 2012

~~<p>To isle Catholics, the importance of conferring the status of sainthood is clear, evidenced by the excitement over the impending canonization on Sunday of Mother Marianne Cope, the Franciscan nun who dedicated her life to the care of Hansen's disease patients on Molokai. The ceremony will be for them worth celebrating because one of Hawaii's own is acknowledged as having demonstrated the ultimate fulfillment of her faith.</p>
<p>But it is an occasion everyone can respect, regardless of religious belief, which is what makes Hawaii's two saints special. What the believer calls holiness also can be seen as service to humanity at the highest level, service that has left an indelible mark on the well-being of this state.</p>
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To isle Catholics, the importance of conferring the status of sainthood is clear, evidenced by the excitement over the impending canonization on Sunday of Mother Marianne Cope, the Franciscan nun who dedicated her life to the care of Hansen's disease patients on Molokai. The ceremony will be for them worth celebrating because one of Hawaii's own is acknowledged as having demonstrated the ultimate fulfillment of her faith.

But it is an occasion everyone can respect, regardless of religious belief, which is what makes Hawaii's two saints special. What the believer calls holiness also can be seen as service to humanity at the highest level, service that has left an indelible mark on the well-being of this state. Login for more...