Mother Benedicta Berns

Prioress from 1872-1878

Mother Benedicta entered St. Walburg Monastery in Covington, Kentucky, on September 7, 1861, at the age of 16 and professed her perpetual vows on November 1, 1866. She was sent to Ferdinand with three other sisters, Sister Xavieria Schroeder, Sister Rose Chappell, and Sister Clara Vollmer, by Mother Alexia Lechner as the superior of this new foundation on August 19, 1867.

After the Ferdinand community became independent from Covington, Mother Benedicta was elected the first prioress in 1872. In 1872, Mother Benedicta purchased the tract of land from Joseph Mehling on which the monastery is now located. During that time, a two-story nursing home is built west of the convent to care for the sick and needy of the area; it was named St. Joseph House. She was re-elected as prioress in 1875. Her task was not an easy one considering the conditions of the time, but she did not waver. She founded schools in Ferdinand, St. Meinrad, and Rockport. The number of Sisters was very small at the time, so Mother Benedicta took up the work of the classroom along with attending to the manifold duties of the new community.

After completing her third term, she continued teaching in the parochial schools. In 1885, Mother Benedicta returned to St. Walburg Monastery. She died at the age of 86 and is buried in St. Walburg cemetery.

Because of her importance in founding Monastery Immaculate Conception and her strong leadership during those first crucial years of establishing this community, Mother Benedicta, revered as our founder, is commemorated annually in our necrology.