Sisters of St. Benedict

Last Updated September 8, 2026

We are one of the largest Benedictine communities of women in the United States — over 100 members strong and thriving. Monastery Immaculate Conception was founded in 1867 by four young Benedictine sisters who came to Ferdinand to teach the children of area settlers, more than 1,000 women have entered our community over the years. And we’ve expanded our ministries beyond education and beyond Ferdinand. Today, we serve as teachers, social workers, parish ministers, counselors, nurses, attorneys, youth ministers, administrators, entrepreneurs, activists, chaplains, librarians and more.