PODCAST · history

Sisters Heroic Work During the 1918 Flu Epidemic

by Francis Edward Tourscher

In the fall of 1918, more than 2,000 Roman Catholic nuns courageously stepped beyond the walls of their convents in the Philadelphia area to care for those afflicted by the devastating influenza epidemic. Tragically, twenty-three of these sisters lost their lives in their selfless ministrations. This poignant account, published by the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia in 1919, chronicles their extraordinary efforts. Compiled by an academic priest from Villanova University, the narrative draws from personal experiences shared by the sisters themselves, reflecting their unwavering commitment to service in a time of crisis. Without chapter headings, this recording utilizes the books section titles to guide the listener through these inspiring stories. - Summary by David Wales and the books subtitle