Convent Outside Of Detroit Loses 12 Nuns In One Month Due To Coronavirus

A convent outside of Detroit is mourning the loss of 12 of its nuns who all died in a month after succumbing to the coronavirus.

All of the nuns, who ranged in ages from 69 to 99, were members of the Felician Sisters convent in Livonia, Michigan. A 13th sister initially survived the virus but sadly died due to the virus’s lingering effects, executive director for mission advancement, Suzanne English, confirmed to CNN on Tuesday.

“We grieve for each of our sisters who has passed during the time of the pandemic throughout the province, and we greatly appreciate all of those who are holding us in prayer and supporting us in a number of ways,” said Sister Mary Christopher Moore, provincial minister of Our Lady of Hope Province.

The sisters all served various roles, from teaching to helping at-risk children to playing music to publishing a 586-page book about the history of the convent. They all resided and worked on the 360-acre campus that was once home to 800 sisters. Only around 50 still remain.

In March, the convent implemented a no-visitors rule and placed restrictions on group activities as coronavirus was rising. Unfortunately, that did not stop the virus from running rampant through the convent, and on Good Friday, April 10th, Sister Mary Luiza Wawrzyniak, 99, was the first to pass away from the virus. Her death was followed by Sister Celine Marie Lesinski, 92, and Sister Mary Estelle Printz, 95, who both passed away on Easter Sunday, April 12th. By May 10th, 12 sisters had perished. They include; Sister Thomas Marie Wadowski, 73, Sister Mary Patricia Pyszynski, 93, Sister Mary Clarence (Adeline) Borkoski, 83, Sister Rose Mary Wolak, 86, Sister Mary Janice (Margaret) Zolkowski, 86, Sister Mary Alice Ann (Fernanda) Gradowski, 73, Sister Victoria Marie Indyk, 69, Sister Mary Martinez (Virginia) Rozek, 87, and Sister Mary Madeleine (Frances) Dolan, 82.

By the end of June, Sister Mary Danatha (Lottie) Suchyta, 98, died from the virus.

“The faith we share with sisters as they are dying, the prayers we share with sisters as they are dying: We missed all that. It kind of shattered our faith life a little bit.” Sister Joyce Marie Van de Vyver said.

At least 30 sisters in Livonia were infected with the virus, and 17 recovered.