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11 RVM nuns in Quezon City succumb to COVID-19


Another member of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) congregation in Quezon City has died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the death toll at the motherhouse compound to 11 nuns.

The announcement was made by RVM Superior General Mother Ma. Corazon Agda in the congregation's social media account.

"We may have our own version of 911 in our 337-year history— with 11 Sisters leaving us for the next life in a span of 14 days (from) September 13 to 26," she said.

It was reported late last month that 100 personnel from the RVM compound, particularly the St. Joseph Home that houses the elderly and the infirm, had tested positive for COVID-19 and 62 of these were nuns. 

Among the 62 sisters who tested positive for COVID-19, two have fully recovered, 38 are experiencing mild/moderate symptoms, and 13 are considered severe. The compound has been on lockdown since Sept. 15.

BLEAK MOMENT IN RVM HISTORY

The members of the congregation, which was founded in 1684 by a Filipina Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, despite their loss have expressed their gratitude to friends, benefactors and family members.

"The covid virus may have invaded the most protected and sheltered community in the Motherhouse compound. It may have stirred fears we realized we could not run away from. But it has allowed us to experience goodness and kindness beyond counting," said Agda.

"Without you we could not have faced our grief and walked through the dark. Your support has seen us through one of the saddest moment in our history. Allow me to say, in behalf of all my Sisters, that you are all the hearts and hands of God made real," she added.

The charism or work of the RVM nuns, as stated in their social media accounts are: "primarily at personal sanctification and perfection. Our secondary aim includes laboring for the sanctification and the salvation of others through Catholic education of youth and catechetical instruction in parishes, as well as fostering spiritual retreats among lay women, conducting dormitories, and taking care of the sick in hospitals."

On Friday, October 8, Agda said "many of our Sisters are not exactly out of the woods just yet, please know that they are praying with us, for all of you." -- BAP, GMA News

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