Skilled Nursing Center Resident Sister Maria Lugosi was a Student of Pope Benedict XVI

Sister Maria Lugosi, a resident at the Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for the last six years, has a special Papal connection that she brought to Clarence.

Originally from a small town in Hungary, Sister Maria emigrated in 1956 during the Hungarian Revolution and settled in Buffalo.

“During the revolution, I wanted to come to a free land in America,” Sister Maria said. “I had two brothers and two sisters who stayed in Hungary and they were never able to visit me here.”

A member of the Sisters of Social Services in Buffalo, Sister Maria taught seminary when she came to New York State. She speaks Hungarian, Italian, German and some Russian.

“I studied with Pope Benedict XVI when he was a Bishop for 13 years in Germany, and then again for three years in Rome later on when he was Pope,” she said. “I have been back to Rome a couple of times. It was my favorite place to visit. He remembered me and wrote me a letter. I loved him so much.”

Sister Maria loves living on The Brothers of Mercy Wellness Campus.

“The Sisters visit me all the time from Buffalo. There were 20 of them and now there are three left,” she said. “I like bingo. I read the Bible, I go to the Chapel every day and attend Mass once a week. I like it very much. It’s very beautiful here. Julie is great, she is very dedicated to all the residents and their activities. There are very nice people. I am very happy here.”