We extend our good wishes to you throughout the days of Christmas.

This Nativity scene has been featured in our Christmas celebrations since the 1890s, first in our original chapel in the quadrangle and then in our large monastery church which was completed in 1924.

“The Sisters of St. Benedict wish you Fröhliche Weihnachten!” That’s wishing you a merry Christmas in German — an appropriate greeting from our monastery which was founded 140 years ago by four Benedictine sisters who came from Covington, Kentucky, to settle in the village of Ferdinand to teach German immigrants in the area. Our German heritage is still a vibrant part of our history and plays a role in present-day traditions, such as singing verses of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) in German at Christmas Eve services.

This newsboy carrying our customized Christmas greeting is one of several Hummels given to our monastery recently by Bernard Duenne, father of our Sister Catherine Marie Duenne. Mr. Duenne has given numerous Hummel® figurines to us from his collection within the past few years.