Beloved Nun Dies from COVID-19

A Catholic nun from Texas who had been Benque Viejo since 2017 died over the weekend from complications caused by COVID-19.  Sister Maria of Merciful Love Medina had been serving as the Mother Superior in the Joseph’s Convent in Benque Viejo del Carmen, and taught Religion at Mount Carmel High School. But in the latter part of July, Sister Maria was admitted to the COVID ward at the San Ignacio Community Hospital. She was later transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but died there on Saturday night. Her friend, Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Father Beau Schweitzer told News Five that even up to the end, Sister Maria was unflinching in her love and loyalty to her faith. Her greatest joy was the children.

Voice of: Father Beau Schweitzer, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church

“Her passion has been working in the Catholic primary schools in Benque, Succotz, Arenal and Calla Creek – the four Catholic primary schools that are run by the parish in Benque. Her passion has been to teach religion and to prepare young people for the sacraments – to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation. She has been a leader in the Light Youth Group. She took a delegation of young people to World Youth Day in Panama City, Panama to visit with Pope Francis.”

Sister Maria was laid to rest this evening, leaving behind primary school children saddened by her sudden passing. She was preparing several of them to receive their First Holy Communion and for Confirmation. Sister Maria, who suffered from asthma, developed pneumonia after she contracted COVID and her condition deteriorated thereafter. She was laid to rest at the Benque Viejo cemetery and a funeral mass is being held at this hour at Mount Carmel High School in Benque.