A dozen Felician sisters at a convent in Michigan died from COVID-19 in a single month, and a thirteenth sister died six weeks later, on her order.
The convent, the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Livonia, about 20 miles west of Detroit, also has 17 other sisters who had the disease caused by the coronavirus but recovered.
“We all knew that hitting the place would be bad,” said Sister Mary Ann Smith, who was ill with the virus from mid-April to late May, in the Global Sisters Report. “But we never anticipated how fast it would go.”
She told the store that when she was sick she thought her life was ending.
“I was so sick that I was praying that the Lord would take me,” said Sister Mary Ann. “I was in a lot of pain.”
From April 10, which was Good Friday, until May 10, twelve sisters between 69 and 99 years old died of COVID-19 in the convent.
A sister number 13, Sister Mary Danatha Suchyta, died of the disease on June 27 at age 98.
Sister Mary Danatha had been a member of the Felician congregation for 80 years, and the 13 who died were members for at least 50 years, according to a list provided by Suzanne English, executive director for advancing the mission of the Province of Nuestra Lady of Hope, who oversees the 469 felicia sisters in some 60 convents in the United States and Canada.
“We regret every one of our sisters who has passed away during the time of the pandemic across the province, and we greatly appreciate all who support us in prayer and support us in various ways,” said Sister Mary Christopher Moore, provincial minister. of Our Lady of Hope.
Forty-four sisters now live in the Michigan convent, compared to 57 in April, English said. The Felician Sisters can move between convents as they accept new ministry assignments.
Across the United States, many facilities that house or care for the elderly have been devastated by the virus.
To help curb the spread of the virus, Felician Sisters of North America has established protocols including visitor bans, replacing the in-person mass with live streaming services, and eliminating communal meals and other group activities.
Several sisters in the order who have had COVID-19 are still recovering from a variety of effects, including continued weakness and respiratory problems, English said.
