STATEMENT BY THE MOST REVEREND LARRY SILVA, BISHOP OF HONOLULU

"We are hungry for the work."

"We do not fear any disease."

As we give thanks to God that our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has declared his intention to enroll Blessed Marianne Cope, a Sister of St. Francis, among the saints of heaven, we continue to be inspired by these noteworthy quotes from Mother Marianne herself. Her sainthood is meant to inspire us all to hunger, as she did, for the work of serving the poorest among us in the most trying of circumstances. Her impending canonization will give us courage to face the severe social and physical diseases that eat away at our society.

We are twice blessed in Hawaii with the recent canonization of St. Damien and now with the canonization of this woman of great intelligence, dedication and love. May her legacy in health care, education and spiritual nourishment of the soul move us to work without fear for all the needs to be done to bring the love of Christ Jesus to others! We in Hawaii join the entire world in giving thanks to God for this soon-to-be saint!

Click here to view the press release from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.