In a devastating turn of events, 13 sisters from the Felician congregation in Livonia, Michigan, succumbed to COVID-19 between April and June 2020. The sisters, ranging in age from 69 to 99, were part of a close-knit community that was severely impacted by the virus.
The outbreak occurred when two aides unknowingly brought the virus into the convent, allowing it to spread rapidly. In hindsight, experts criticized the lack of proper precautions, particularly given the sisters’ vulnerability due to their age and living situation.
The loss was not only a personal tragedy for the sisters’ families and the convent community but also had a significant impact on the daily operations of the convent. The tragedy was deemed the worst to affect a religious community since the 1918 influenza pandemic.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the surviving sisters emphasized the importance of taking precautions, such as wearing masks, and coming together as a community to support one another during times of crisis. Their message serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of unity and vigilance in the face of adversity.
