Birthday Celebration for Blessed Marianne Cope

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The sweet sounds of hymns led a birthday celebration for Blessed Mother Marianne Cope at St. Joseph's Hospital. The Health Center holds the celebration annually, but this year it had more meaning after Mother Cope was declared a saint by the Vatican back in December.

Sisters said they were overwhelmed with joy when they heard the news about her sainthood.

"It was like, 'why am I so blessed to be living at this time?' This is incredibly wonderful, she's our sister, she walked these streets, she founded our institution. It's amazing, it's just amazing," said Sister Roseann Renna.

Mother Cope helped found St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse in 1869. She also founded St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica.