The current coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic has prompted many comparisons with the 1918-1919 so-called Spanish Flu pandemic. Our own local community chronicles and congregational reports (written in German at that time!) did mention some aspects of how the flu impacted the lives and ministries of our sisters in the U.S. and around the world.
As a result of the ever intensifying war, communication between the provinces, especially with the overseas missions, was made more difficult. News arrived at the motherhouse only sparsely or in round about ways until after the ceasefire.
Everywhere has suffered directly or indirectly from the effects of the world war; everywhere, scarcity, lack of necessities and at times real distress were palpable. Hardly a house of the congregation in East and West, in the South and North has been spared from the flu. Over land and sea it has walked like a deadly ghost. No border enforcement, no blockade, no barbed wire, and no censorship could stop it. In some places it has been dreaded as a rampant scourge, a black plague and, as the chronicles report, claimed numerous, even countless victims. Even among our sisters, many both young and in advanced years have succumbed to it. The death lists are almost twice as long in this last year than in the year before.*
*According to the congregation statistics, in 1917 there were 35 deaths; in 1918, 71.
The following deaths from influenza were registered in the North American Province:
S. Narcissa Evrard (22), novice, 12/21/1918 St. Vincent, Columbus
S. Edward Clawson (32), 12/24/1918 St. Vincent, Columbus
S. Thecla Gentner (24), 2/26/1919 Sacred Heart, Buffalo
S. Celestine Henry (45), 9/27/1919 St. Vincent, Columb
S. Gregoria Colonius (31) [also appendicitis], 3/2/1920 St. Mary, O’Neill
From: North American Province/Holy Name Province necrology